Page 83 of Merry Fake Bride

It’s Devon.

I can’t stop watching her as she moves around me brushing off any ice dust that hasn’t melted, ensuring I’m not hurt.

As she stops in front of me, her face is flushed and rosy against the cold and she’s gripping my hand with more strength than I’ve ever felt from her before.

She’s trusting me.

I can’t express how that makes me feel. It’s like light is blossoming inside me and trying to escape with a swell of pressure that just makes me laugh once more. “I’m fine.”

“Are you sure?” She dabs her fingers at her eye. “You spun at least three times.” Another wave of giggles hits. “Come on, lean on me when we go around the corners, okay? And keep your feet pointing out. Each push forward should be in an arc. Like this, try and follow me.”

I try my hardest.

Each instruction she gives me is followed to the best of my ability, but my attention is split between her hand in mine and the beaming smile on her face.

She crosses the ice with a strength and elegance I can only dream of, but not once does she leave me behind.

She’s with me for every skate, every push and slip on the ice.

She even clutches me close by the seam of my shirt when I skate too close to a child.

“You’re doing it!” Devon cheers fifteen minutes later with her fingers threaded with mine and her gaze down on my feet as we skate alongside each other. “Look, you’re doing it!”

One step after the other slowly grows smoother and smoother.

I glide on the ice, and the nerves along my spine only jump occasionally to redirect my posture away from falling backward.

I push my foot out, then weave back in.

Out and then back in.

With each strong movement, Devon cheers while Martin skates easily by with light, mocking laughter.

I might dock his wage.

Three loops of the rink and I think I’m getting a proper hang of it. “This is hard work!” I gasp as we start our fourth loop.

“Do you want to try by yourself?” Devon asks.

“Sure!” My agreement comes easily in case Devon is seeking a polite way to end our contact, although I miss the warmth of her touch when she retracts her hands.

Adjusting her fluffy earmuffs, she skates in front of me and then turns around, drifting backward while watching me. “Come on!” she calls. “Skate to me!”

As if I need any further enticing.

Gritting my teeth, I focus on pushing forward on one leg, then the other.

Her instructions echo in my ear and I fixate my gaze on her beaming smile and her sparkling eyes.

She is my goal.

“That’s it!” Devon cheers, clapping her hand against her cast. “Look at you go! You’re amazing!”

I’m amazing.

Warmth surges through me, unlocking everything else I try to keep in control of.

Appreciation of her.