Pink lips turned up in a lovely smile. “I think I’ll be fine.”
She adjusted the light gray hat on her head which matched her gloves. He hadn’t wanted to touch that in case she wore it a special way over her implants. His own hat settled, he pulled on his gloves and opened the outside door of his building.
“It’s only a few blocks over. Have you seen the ice sculptures before?”
“When I was much younger, my parents took us in on New Year’s Day. I haven’t been back since, which is silly seeing as I live so close.”
Throwing his thumb over his shoulder, he grinned. “Not as close as I do.”
Her laugh was delightful. Feminine without being cloying. Fresh and innocent and real. How often did he have conversations with women who giggled over something he’d said but didn’t honestly find what he’d said amusing?
“True.” Her green eyes swept over him and made him wonder if he looked all right. He had on worn jeans with work boots to keep out the cold, his wool-lined denim jacket with a cashmere scarf that he’d gotten for Christmas from Harrison and Annie, and an olive-green beanie.
Carli looked more than all right. Her dark tan coat stopped just shy of her hips. Faded jeans hugged those curvy hips so lovingly. He wouldn’t mind hugging them, too. Maybe now that they were officially exclusive, he might get the chance.
When he held his elbow out, she wove her hand through it and snuggled close.
“I could definitely get used to this.”
“What? Being out in the cold?” she asked as she took in the glistening snow covering everything.
“You by my side.”
“Oh, that.” Her eyes twinkled.
“Is there a problem?”
Nuzzling in closer to his side, she said, “No problem at all.”
“Good, because I see you there for a long time.” He might not be ready to pop the question, but he and Carli fit well together. They enjoyed each other’s presence, could talk about a variety of subjects, and when he kissed her… Better not think of that at the moment. Breathing in a whiff of fresh, cold air had him back in control.
As they walked to Copley Square, they chatted about the Patriot’s chances of getting in the Super Bowl this year, which of the Bruins would start the next fight and get thrown in the penalty box, and who was the outstanding player this year on the Celtics.
The fact Carli knew about each of these sports amazed him.
“Two older brothers and a dad who watch sports religiously and want to talk about nothing else. It was kind of hard to ignore in my house.”
“Couldn’t you turn off your implants?”
“I didn’t even get them until I was sixteen, so you’d think I could get away from the sports. But you’ve seen my family watch football. Is there anything subdued about them?”
Thinking back to when he visited for her birthday, yeah, the yelling and thumping and grunting had been ferocious. It was what had made him feel so comfortable. His own father had watched occasionally, but at the same time he’d been reading some work report. Sports had only been on as background noise and then only when his mother didn’t have something else for them to do.
“Do you think any of the sculptures will still be there? I heard people sometimes knock them over once New Year’s Day has passed.”
“I drove past here yesterday, and there were still a good many up. It’s been so cold lately it’s possible no one wanted to come out, not even the vandals.”
They toured the square, and Carli oohed and aahed at the ornately carved pieces of ice. A few had been toppled, but you could still see the talent of the artists.
“You’d think this mermaid would be a bit chilly in this get up, huh?”
Blake checked out the shapely curves of the sea creature shielded only by a few shells. “Should I give her my coat?”
“Maybe not. She might start to melt. Then, you’d be cold, and I’d have to warm you up.”
“I think I’d like that.” He started to unbutton his coat, and Carli reached for his hands.
“Don’t. I promise I’ll warm you up later, even if you keep the coat on.”
