“Partly. And planning.”
“For?” Elijah presses slightly and then smiles. “Though if you don’t want to think about it, just tell me to shove it.”
“No, it’s nothing bad. Nick’s birthday is next weekend, the tenth, and I feel like nothing is ready.”
“Oh, wow. How old is he going to be?” Elijah casts a glance out at the ice and locks onto my son.
“Six,” I say with a smile before adding hurriedly, “But what about you? Busy day?”
“Nah. Some office stuff and my friend from New York needed me to go over the same plan about three times before he’d believe that I know what I’m doing, but it’s one of those things, y’know? Someone only trusts you until they don’t understand you.”
“Is he a hard ass, your friend?”
“He’s my CFO, so kinda.” Elijah laughs. He focuses back on me with a warm smile, and his eyes crinkle at the corners. “But enough about work. Care to skate with me and we’ll show these kids a thing or two?”
My heart skips a beat and I can’t stop myself from smiling. “We’re going to show them something, aren't we?”
“Oh, yes.” Elijah slaps his hands down on the railing and pushes back to a standing position. “Easily.”
After Elijah secures our skates from the vendor while I keep an eye on Nick and his friend, we lace up and join them on the ice.
“Hi!” Nick beams up at Elijah as he skates between us. “You’re the man from the shop!”
“I am.” Elijah smiles. “I’m Elijah. What’s your name?”
“Nick! And that’s Sam.” He points to the other side of me, where Sam has grabbed onto my hand and clutched tightly. “We’re racing! Are you going to race Mommy?”
Elijah chuckles. “I might be a bit old for an ice race, but we could certainly try.”
“I’ll show you!” And just like that, he’s away again with his friend in tow.
“Be careful!” I call after them, then my heart jumps as Elijah’s warm hand encircles mine.
“For support?” he offers.
My smile widens and I slowly lace our fingers together. “For support.”
The guise of support keeps any questions at bay and Nick doesn’t question it when he skates by the first time, or the second. Watching him and Sam laugh and giggle with one another soothes my soul in ways I can’t decipher, and having Elijah here gives me a little bud of hope. If they’re getting along, that’s definitely a good thing.
“Are you giving up much on your weekend?” I ask Elijah as we skate around the bend and bypass a couple.
“Hardly. I’ve spent most of my weekends working or jogging, or just watching cable in my hotel room because I don’t know the city.”
“Seriously?” My brows lift. “You haven’t gone out anywhere?”
“Nope.”
“Not even for dinner?”
“Does takeout count?” He grins at me and his eyes light up. “I guess I don’t get out much.”
“Clearly.” I chuckle. “Then let this be the start, okay? You gotta go out and live a little.”
“Depends. Will you come with me?”
His hand tightens in mine for a moment just as my skate slips in the wrong direction. I lurch but just as my balance goes, Elijah is right there with his arm around my waist to catch me. He plants both feet into the ice and brings us to an immediate stop as I gasp and clutch at him.
My heart pounds like missing a step when going down the stairs and fearing you’ll fall all the way down.
