His expression makes my breath catch. It’s more than want.
No. I can’t let myself think that.
“Ready?” he asks, grabbing my jacket and holding it out for me.
“Ready.”
21
FIRE AND ICE (KIERAN)
Outside, the air bites clean and cold. Snow squeaks under our boots as I lead her down the path toward the lake. The sun slips behind the trees, bleeding warm gold across the ice. I cleared a small rink earlier, set out a couple of lanterns, and stashed a thermos on the bench. It looks simple and perfect, like a scene caught in glass.
Her eyes widen. “You did this?”
I shrug. “Seemed better than scrolling through Netflix.”
“You’ve got moves.” She tries to sound unimpressed, but her smile ruins the attempt.
“That good?”
“We’ll see.”
I open the storage bench and pull out two pairs of skates I found in the shed.
“Size seven, right?”
She blinks. “How do you know that?”
“You left your boots by the door the other night. I noticed.”
Her mouth curves. “That is mildly concerning.”
“Sit,” I say, pretending not to enjoy it.
She settles on the bench, and I kneel to lace her skates. Her ankle fits neatly in my palm, warm through the layers. Focusing hard on the laces, I hope she can’t hear the rollicking thump of my pulse.
When I finish, she taps my shoulder. “You’re confident I can skate.”
“I believe in you,” I say, amused. “And I brought Band-Aids.”
Her laugh carries across the clearing.
I lace my own skates and step onto the ice first, testing near the dock where I checked the thickness earlier. The lake is solid, smooth under the lantern glow.
“All good,” I call to her. “I’m not reckless.”
“Debatable.” She squints at the ice.
“Come here,” I say, holding out a hand. “You’re safer with me anyway.”
She steps out, wobbles once, then steadies. “Okay. This isn’t terrible.”
She pushes off faster than she should. I catch her elbow before gravity wins, her gloves landing against my chest.
“I’ve got you,” I murmur, checking the urge to press my face into her hair, like some sort of smitten boy.
We skate until our breath hangs thick in the lantern light and her cheeks flush a soft pink. She moves better than she thinks, strong and quick, recovering easily when she slips.
