The first time we matched before Thanksgiving was more of a funny surprise, then it evolved to intrigue the more I thought about it. It was on my mind throughout dinner with her family.She was within arm’s reach sitting next to me, tickling my senses with her sweet scent.
I haven’t been on Love Struck much otherwise. Curiosity made me look for Eve’s profile while I took a break from researching more skills and drills training to bring to the table. We matched again somehow. I dutifully resigned myself to hitting the unmatch option. Maybe I’m better off deleting the app.
A distressed shout pulls me from my thoughts. Eve jogs along the path that follows the frozen lake from the parking lot. Her hair is in two thick braids and her workout pants look painted onto her curvy legs.
Don’t look at her tits, don’t look at her tits, don’t fucking look at her tits bouncing, man.
Too late.
I clear my throat, wrenching my attention back to the group. “Hey, Cam? Keep them going for a minute.”
“Sure.” He gives me an easygoing smile and a little salute.
I linger for a moment, watching him guide the kids. It’s evident he’s enjoying this. I see a lot of myself in him. I’m glad I brought him.
Skating off, I meet Eve outside the rink. She’s pushing herself so hard to get here, she doesn’t have time to slow down. I catch her against me, then she scrambles back, nearly losing her balance.
“I’m sorry, I’m sorry!” She pauses to catch her breath before launching back into an explanation I don’t need. “I mixed up the dates when I put the reminder in my phone. I went all the way to work thinking I had a bartending shift when I was supposed to be here.”
I take her shoulders. She cuts off, looking up at me with a shining gaze.
“Don’t worry about it. You didn’t miss much. I had it all under control with Cameron. Here, sit down.”
It doesn’t take much encouragement to nudge her to the bench.
“I wasn’t really dressed right, so I had to run home to change,” she continues rambling. “Then Dad called to remind me, but I—Oh! Shit, I forgot my skates. I know exactly where they are. I put them by my door so I wouldn’t forget them.”
“What size are you?” At her flustered glance, I tip my head toward the rental cabin. “We’ll rent you a pair today.”
“Oh. You’re right. I’m an eight.”
I go take care of her skates, kneeling at her feet once I return. She doesn’t stop me from helping her put them on, more focused on sending worried glances around. I wrap my fingers around her ankle as I guide her foot into the boot.
“Hey, it’s okay. You made it here. It’s not a big deal.”
She nods distractedly. I soothe her by running my palm along the side of her leg. She begins to calm down and the knot of discomfort at seeing her frazzled loosens in my chest.
“I didn’t mean to mess up,” she murmurs.
My touch lingers on her calf and I peer up at her. “You don’t have to be perfect. I’m not. No one is.”
She’s stunned by the encouragement. I offer her a supportive smile that comes all too easily for her. I’m relieved to help her feel better because I’m not used to being there for anyone else.
“Um,” Cameron says from the rink. “Sorry, these little gremlins are bored of the basics already.”
Two kids dangle from each of his arms while he skates around. Eve laughs, her eyes sparkling. She captures my attention once more. It’s difficult to take my eyes off her.
“Come on. I don’t want Vic telling Dad we were slacking off.” She grabs my hand and tugs me to the ice.
“I want a turn!” Two kids latch on to me.
“How about we save this for the end? Everyone say hi to Eve first. She’s your other teacher.”
She waves with a bubbly smile that lights up her beautiful features. “Hi everybody! You’re all doing so well. Are you having a good time so far?”
The group erupts with cheers. More than half of them have a good handle on balance, some even abandoning the bar to venture with shuffling slides.
“Next up, we’re going to make sure we know how to get back up when we fall,” I say.
