She glances my way, slipping out of her tennis shoes and into one of the skates I bought for her. “Oh yeah?” She peersout where twinkle lights create a whimsical glow all around the lake and lodge.
The night that skunk hit her, I knew I wanted to bring her here.
“Why? With Lake Tesoro, why would they need this place?” She leans down to tie the laces of her boot. “Don’t get me wrong. This place is …” She sits up, looking around at the pines, lights, and wonderment. Her lips part in a grin. I am so tempted to shut them up with a kiss. “Magical.”
“It’s only cold enough to freeze the ponds around Tesoro in December and January. So, to ensure that people can skate outside, they created this place. The water is shallow, and they use a refrigeration system to keep it cold enough all winter long.”
Stella breathes out a laugh, her eyes studying me. “How do you know that?”
“I’ve been here before. Not normally in December. Too busy. I met the caretaker once, and he told me all about it.”
With both of her feet skated up, Stella inches over the seat of the bench until her side touches mine. “Too many people? Do you think you’ll ever be a people person again? You once were, you know.”
“I know.” And I know that I’ve been more like my old self since Stella came back into my life. “Maybe. Maybe not. This might be who I am now.”
She told me that once upon a time, she had a crush on me. Is she still looking for that kid? Because I’m not sure he exists anymore.
“It is and it’s not. You’re still you, Roman. You’re just a more refined version. Even if you don’t see it, I do.”
“You mean a battle-tested version?” I say, but my tone is light.
She lifts a hand to my cheek. “I mean refined. We all have scars. It’s part of life.”
“I suppose it is.”
Stella pushes herself up off the bench. “Ready to go?” She’s wobbly, though, and her arms fly outward, searching for balance.
I stand, catching one of them, helping steady her.
“Are you sure this is a good idea?” she says with another wobble. “What if you break your neck and can’t play? Your coach will kill us.”
“I’m not going to break my neck,” I say.
Stella wobbles again, and her free hand flares out once more. Using my opposite hand, I take hers and fold it into the crook of my arm. She holds on while I guide us toward the ice.
“Well, I might break mine,” she says.
“Only, I’m not going to let that happen.” I pat her hand through my arm and step onto the ice. Stella does not follow, though.
She frowns at me. “You’re good at this, aren’t you?”
“I’m all right at this.”
She huffs, her eyes darting to the sky. “You’re kind of good at everything.”
“You say that like it’s a bad thing.” I gently tug on her arm until she has both feet on the ice. “Bend your knees. We’re going to take small gliding steps.”
Stella follows my lead and keeps talking. “It’s not a bad thing. But if you haven’t noticed, I’m not great at everything. Half the time, I’m unsure if I’m great at the things I’m supposed to be great at. While you are?—”
“You are great,” I tell her.
“It doesn’t matter. I’m just?—”
“It does matter. Stella, you are good at what you do. Everything you do. Even getting sprayed by that skunk. You did that magnificently. I’ve seen those skunks a dozen times, but you really crossed them.”
She chortles, her eyes on her feet. “I’m not sure that’s a compliment. I was going to say, I’m trying not to worry about my skill. I want to love what I do. And while I am still very uncertain about ice skating, I love pottery. I love creating.”
I lift her chin, forcing her to look up. “I’m glad you love what you do, Stell. And for reference, let me give you an outsider’s opinion. You are talented.” My eyes drop to her mouth. She makes me feel this desperate need to kiss her, to hold her. She’s like food and water; she’s sustenance.
