Page 42

“I’ve never skated before.” She said. “I’m clumsy.”

My smile widened. This would be an experience I got to share with her.

“Well, there’s always a first for everything.”

??

The icy air bit at our cheeks as we stepped onto the slick surface of the rink. Her eyes lit up as she noticed no one else was on the ice. She was fearful of others seeing her fall. We sat on the bench to lace up our skates as she glanced at the ice with a mixture of excitement and apprehension in her eyes. Her fingers fumbled as she tried to lace them. I knelt in front of her with a reassuring smile.

“I struggled my first time, too.”

With skilled hands, I laced up her skates. I looked at her from under my lashes to find her gnawing on her bottom lip.

“We don’t have to skate if you’re not up for it.”

She shook her head.

“I want to.” She insisted. “I trust you not to let me make a fool of myself.”

I stood up and offered her my hand.

“I promise.”

She stepped on the ice like a fawn on wobbly legs. Her hands clutched onto the railings for support. I skated beside her, offering her words of encouragement.

“You’ve got this,” I said. “Just let go, I’ve got you.”

With a deep breath, she pushed herself from the railing, her skates unsteady beneath her. She stumbled, but I was there to catch her.

“You’re okay,” I whispered into her ear. “Just remain calm.”

With each step, she grew more confident. Her movements became more controlled as she found her balance. She laughed with joy as we picked up speed. Our laughter echoed through the vacant rink as we skated hand in hand. I pulled her closer, wrapping my arm around her in a tender embrace.

“Thank you for doing this with me,” I said. “I know it’s not your thing.”

She placed her hands on the sides of my cheeks.

“No need to thank me.” She said. “It’s nice to experience your world.”

With a soft smile, I leaned in close, my lips meeting hers in a gentle, lingering kiss. My stomach fluttered as her cherry-scented lip balm invaded my nostrils, a scent I never loved until Sawyer. Now it’s as if no other scent could compare.

A surge of warmth brushed over me, overwhelming me with contentment and joy. It had been a while since I’d allowed myself to feel this way, but I knew I’d found something special in Sawyer. She makes all my worries disappear. Almost.

My smile dropped as my mind drifted to the impending scholarship. My brows furrowed with worry, as my mind doubted every aspect. She reached out and placed her hands in mine, giving them a squeeze of encouragement.

“What’s going on?”

My hands fidgeted in hers.

“My dad told me some scouts are going to be at the charity game,” I said. “There’s this huge summer training camp where they only recruit the best to prepare them for the college season.”

She pursed her lips in thought.

“Are you afraid you won’t get it?”

Her hands rested on my arm as she gazed at me with concern in her eyes.

“I’m more afraid of disappointing my dad,” I admitted. “He made this all happen for me and I’m afraid of ruining it.”