I swallowed hard and stepped back, breaking the moment.
“I—um—” My voice cracked. Perfect. “I think I need . . . a drink. Water. Something.”
Concern flared in his eyes, immediate and gentle. “Hey. Yeah. Of course. Are you okay?”
I nodded quickly, even if part of me wasn’t.
“I’m fine,” I said, forcing a shaky smile. “Just . . . thirsty. And maybe overheated. And also maybe dying a little.”
He laughed softly, and God, the kindness in it made my chest ache.
“Let’s get you some water,” he said. “Come on. I’ve got you.”
He rested a hand lightly on the small of my back, nothing presumptuous, nothing forceful, just a quiet anchor.
As he guided me toward the benches, my heartbeat thudded wildly.
And for the first time, I wasn’t sure if running from the feeling was protection . . . or just another way of holding myself back.
19
ALEX
I’d always thought roller rinks were loud and bright. But right then, with the disco lights drifting soft pink over the floor and Eleanor still catching her breath, it felt almost . . . intimate.
Because the moment she fell into my arms with her body pressed against mine, I felt my control breaking. But then the moment her eyes lifted, wide and unsure and wanting . . . I swear something inside me cracked open.
I was gone.
Absolutely gone for her.
I guided her toward the benches slowly, my hand resting at the small of her back, trying to be steady even though my pulse was pounding so hard it felt like it might shake my ribs apart.
She lowered herself onto the bench, skates bumping softly against the wood, still flushed and breathing unevenly. Her hair clung to her temples, and her lips were parted. She looked . . . radiant.
And completely overwhelmed.
“Wait here,” I said, a little rougher than I meant to.
Her eyes flicked up. “Alex?—”
“I’m serious,” I said, forcing a calm smile. “Don’t move. I’ll be right back. Water. Maybe ice. Maybe one of those cooling towels Mel keeps because she’s prepared for every possible apocalypse.”
A small, shy laugh escaped her, the sound tugging hard at something in my chest.
“Okay,” she whispered.
I pushed off before I did something stupid, like kiss her in the middle of the rink withKaty Perry’s Teenage Dreamplaying overhead.
Thanks again for the subtlety, Mel.
As I skated toward the concession stand, my thoughts spun faster than my wheels.
Her laugh. Her smile. The way she looked up at me. And when she fell into me?
When I held her?
I’d had to bite back the instinct to pull her even closer.
