Alone.
CHAPTER FIFTY-TWO
Erika
My whole body goes still as the bright glare of the rink lights glints off the ice, and the way he smiles at me, his hands in his pockets, overshadows the room, making the emptiness feel smaller.
Because it’s not just Leon standing in the middle of the ice, he’s standing in the middle of the rink wearing a tuxedo and a pair of skates, looking devilishly handsome.
I shake my head in wonder as a burst of nervous energy escapes from my throat, causing me to laugh. “What the hell are we doing here?” I call out to him, my voice echoing off the empty arena, the icy air washing over my skin.“And why are you wearing a tuxedo?”
Nothing feels real.
Leon doesn’t answer my question; instead, he says two simple words that make me forget how to move. “I remember.”
I become a statue in the aisle between the seats.
“I remember everything. I remember you,” he repeats, like I didn’t understand him the first time.
Emotion hits hard, and my eyes blink rapidly, fighting the rise of tears. “You remember?”
He gives a subtle nod. “Everything, Erika, every single thing about you.” Slowly, he skates toward the opening in the boards, and I walk toward him, as if my heart is magnetized to his, drawing me in, pulling me closer.
My chest feels light, a warm rush coursing through my body, joy filling me, making me feel like I am glowing. I don’t even care how tired I am, my body now running on adrenaline.
“I remember you before the accident. I remember sneaking into your dorm where we had our first kiss. Our second was in the equipment room. That didn’t end well.” He lets out a soft chuckle before he adds, “I also remember our conversation in my penthouse about respecting your brother’s wishes to push our feelings aside for each other. The same day you gave me this. It’s all in here.” He taps his temple, then holds up the gold coin I gave him as a good luck charm all those years ago. It no longer looks shiny but well-used and worn.
“You found it?”
“It was in my dress pants from the night we went for a meal with Hunter King. The same night you and I?—”
I interject because I’m too excited to hold the words in. “Made love.”
He adds details only we both know about that night. “In front of the fire. That’s not something I’m telling you because you told me; it’s because I remember. And it was so fucking beautiful.”
“It was.” I bob my head in agreement, as my eyes gloss over with happy emotion.
“Since the day you gave me this, I’ve carried it everywhere. To meetings, negotiations, every game I played, every goal I scored, it’s been with me.”
How did I not know that?
I stare at him in amazement; the discovery hits me full force.
“It’s always brought me good luck.”
“Has it?” As if I floated here, I’m finally at the gate in the boards, and he’s right there to greet me, somehow looking taller and full of confidence.
“Yeah. I didn’t take it on vacation. I’ve never forgotten it before.”
I’m not superstitious, but I make a suggestion: “You should glue it into your wallet, and maybe you won’t hit your head again.”
“I won’t ever forget it again. Or you. And I remember every goal I scored, every one of them for you, every kiss I blew was meant for you. Movies, treks, days out, vacations, Christmas. Our honeymoon. It’s all here.” His voice is full of emotion as he taps his finger against his temple again.
I pull my shoulders to my ears in excitement. “Do you remember us getting married in Vegas?”
“Nope,” he says deadpan, rolling his eyes.
“Neither can I.” I fling my hands to my chest, and we both dissolve into laughter.
