“Is that still okay with you?” Sam asked in her penetrating way, trying to keep pace with me as I picked up speed.
“Sure, yeah.”
Sam and Carly skated behind me in tandem like they were doing Olympic pairs interrogation.
“Hm, I’m not convinced,” Sam said, looking over at Carly for confirmation.
“Same. I’m thinking she wants parameters. A timeline. Maybe contracts and blood samples.”
Sam laughed so hard she tripped. “Exactly.”
“Okay, hold on a second, I’m notthatbad.”
“We’re not saying it’s bad. There’s nothing wrong with wanting clarity.”
Of course, Sam was right. Ididwant clarity and I’d do my best to get it. Eventually. But there was so much going on with the holidays and the building changes, it just didn’t feel right to bring up the What-are-we-to-each-other? conversation. Of course, it wasn’t just that. A part of me was nervous to broach it with Andrew and have him tell me that “fun” was exactly what it sounded like. No commitments, take it or leave it. It was easier keeping the exact definition unknown for now and enjoying it for what it was.
Incredible sex with an incredibly sexy man.
Even though our conversation about Zadie still had me a little off-kilter.
“Couples skate,” a voice said over the sound system as “Rockin’ around the Christmas Tree” ended. “Please clear the ice for a couples-only skate, folks. Groups of two.”
Carly skated off to find Joe, leaving me with Sam. “Been meaning to ask, how are things between you and Nolan?”
She tucked her arm in mine so we’d qualify for the couples skate as “Christmas Time Is Here” started playing.
“Better. We talked, fought, made up. We needed this break.He’s been taking care of Mia more than usual while we’re here and he gets it now. We’re going to be making some changes once we get back.”
I glanced over at her and squeezed her arm. “I was worried.”
“Don’t be, we’re okay. Worry about yourself and the big guy.”
Nolan sped over from where he’d been watching us and fell in line beside Sam. “May I cut in?”
“Please do. I’m going to try to get that wallflower out here.” I glided away to where Andrew was trying to play it cool and did a simple spin in front of him.
“You’rereallygood.” He was looking at me like I’d just done a triple axel.
I waved off the compliment. “Let’s get out there—you’ve got two songs before the hordes head back.”
“I’m not sure you want the responsibility of trying to hold me up. It could get ugly. We both might break something.”
“We have to at least try.” I moved toward him and grasped both of his hands. “Trust me.”
Andrew took a few halting steps toward me and immediately started flailing like a cartoon character running in place. I moved a little closer to him and he finally found his footing.
“Howis this fun?”
I laughed at his pained expression. “Let me drive. You just keep your legs still and I’ll pull you.”
He clung to my hands and I started backing up slowly, doing easy S curves that enabled me to get our momentum going.
“I look stupid,” Andrew said, glancing around at the other graceful couples around us.
“Stop. But maybe straighten your legs a little? You look like you’re sitting on a toilet. Use those quads.”
He laughed and stood up a little taller. “Throwing anatomy at me, I like that!”
