“You wore it.”
My cheeks burn.
I lift my shoulders. “You told me I could.”
His mouth twitches. “I wanted you to. I’m glad you did.”
His gaze drifts over me like he’s memorizing. The jersey on my shoulders. My hands fidgeting in the sleeves. The way my breathing is anything but calm and steady.
Then he lifts his brows slightly, the smallest question.
You okay?
I nod, because I don’t trust my mouth.
Wren leans forward in her seat like she’s part of the relationship now.
“Hi, I’m still here, lovebirds,” she says brightly.
Grayson’s eyes flick to her, then back to me like he’s still making sure I’m real.
“Hi, Wren,” he says, polite, then adds, “Thank you for sitting with her.”
Wren blinks like she didn’t expect sincerity.
Then she smiles. “Yeah. Of course.”
Grayson’s gaze returns to me, and the air feels too charged for a public arena.
“You should be with your team,” I whisper. “You know, warming up.”
He tilts his head, eyes dark. “Yeah. I should be.”
But he doesn’t move.
I narrow my eyes. “Gray.”
His mouth quirks again, small, almost boyish. “Kiss me first?”
My entire body goes hot. Wren makes a noise that sounds like she’s choking on air.
“Are you serious?” I can’t help the giggle that sneaks out with my words.
Grayson’s eyes soften. “Don’t make me beg.”
While I’d love to see that later, there’s something in his face that says he’s not doing this to be cute. He’s doing it because he needs it, just as badly as I do. Like a grounding point. My heart slams against my ribs.
I glance at Wren, who is fully vibrating with joy.
“Kiss the man already,” she whispers.
My cheeks flush, then I lean up on my toes as Grayson meets me halfway, and I press my mouth to his. It’s nothing extreme, just a quick press of my lips to his. But the second it happens, my whole nervous system recalibrates. His lips are warm from his breath inside the cold arena. His mouth stills for half a beat like he’s savoring it, then he pulls back slowly, eyes fixed on mine.
His voice is barely a sound. “Thank you.”
My throat tightens. He looks at me for one more second like he’s trying to take me with him. Then he turns and skates away.
Wren grabs my arm.
