For thirty minutes, we browsed the bookstore. I offered to hold Pam’s selections for her, watching as she piled title after title into my arms until the stack almost reached my face.
“I think I might have gone a little overboard,” she said, her brows raised as she peeked over the books at me.
“Nonsense. I think this is the perfect amount.”
We walked over to the counter and I placed the books down for the cashier.
“Is this everything?” the cashier asked.
“Yep, that’s everything. We made sure we left a few books in the store for you, though,” I teased, and Pam nudged my arm playfully.
She went to put her card down, but I stopped her once again.
“Pam,” I said as I looked down at her. “Please let me get these for you. Consider it a late Christmas present—if you celebrate Christmas, that is.”
“Alistair…”
“Please. I want to. That way, when you read them, you’ll think of me.”
“Fine,” she said with a smile that made my heart race.
Oh, this was bad.
I was in serious trouble.
With a heavy bag of books on my arm, I held the door open for Pam as we made our way back onto Main Street.
“Did you drive here?” I asked.
“I walked, actually. I live on one of the side streets.”
“Are you still up for ice skating?” I was hoping she’d say yes.
Please fucking say yes.
“Absolutely. You aren’t getting rid of me just yet.”
I felt like I’d won the lottery.
“The rink is at the park. Would you be alright with me driving us over?”
Since we’d just met, I wasn’t sure if she’d feel comfortable getting in the car with me. I’d heard those online dating stories on true crime podcasts. There were some real crazies out there.
“I trust you,” she said, threading her arm through mine.
* * *
“Well,it doesn’t look like the ice skating rink is too popular today,” I said as I pulled my car to a stop at the park.
Besides one car, which I assumed was the rink attendant’s, the parking lot was empty.
“Hmm. It’s a shame too. For January, it’s actually a pretty nice day.”
“Even though you almost slipped and fell on a patch of ice?”
She shrugged. “Gotta look on the bright side. The sun is shining, and I have great company.”
I liked her attitude. Her positivity aligned well with my own.
