Total pages in book: 30
Estimated words: 27909 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 140(@200wpm)___ 112(@250wpm)___ 93(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 27909 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 140(@200wpm)___ 112(@250wpm)___ 93(@300wpm)
Leo squeezed her fingers, and when she looked up at him, he was studying her as if trying to figure out the missing pieces to a puzzle. “You really love all of this Christmas stuff, don’t you?”
“What’s not to love?” she asked, gesturing to the decorated tree on the other side of the rink. The Douglas fir, draped with multicolored Christmas lights and ornaments that reflected onto the rink, had to be at least fifty feet tall.
Plenty of people were on the ice, but it wasn’t too crowded. Leo insisted on paying for the rental skates, and she held back any comments about how funny he’d look in his suit and fancy overcoat, with skates on his feet. She was lucky she was getting him onto the ice in the first place.
He changed his shoes, moving slowly, and she fidgeted in her seat, ready to go. She loved ice skating, but he’d already admitted he didn’t do anything fun. She considered this his first big adventure in a while, which was sad really. So, if he wanted to waste time retying the laces of his skates three times, she wasn’t going to say a word.
Finally ready, he squared his shoulders and met her gaze. “Let’s go.”
She jumped to her feet and led the way. He followed her to the edge of the rink. She was so eager to skate that she didn’t look back until she stepped onto the ice.
The second they were both on the slick surface, she realized something was wrong. Leo wasn’t just uncomfortable with this new situation because he spent all his time in an office. He was unsteady on his feet.
“Do you not know how to skate?” she asked, worried. She couldn’t believe she hadn’t thought to ask but then again, he could have said no.
“I know how,” he said, slowly gliding forward with his hands out at his sides for balance. “It’s just… been a long time.”
“How long?” she asked, reaching for his hand again.
They were both wearing gloves, so she missed that warm tingle she’d felt when they shook hands for the first time, but there was still a flutter in her chest when he tightened his grip. Even if was just to keep his balance.
“Well, I was seventeen, so I guess it’s been twelve years,” he admitted.
“Was it a date?” she guessed.
“How did you know?”
She laughed. “Because it’s a perfect date, isn’t it?” she asked, as she moved in front of him and reached for his other hand so she could skate backwards and pull him along.
He let her, but a frown marred his handsome face. “I’m sure I can manage myself.”
Cammie doubted that fact. “Are you embarrassed to be escorted around by a woman?” she teased.
“Your gender has nothing to do with it. I just don’t like being out of control,” he said, his gaze glued to his feet.
“I could’ve guessed that about you, but it’s a shame. All the best things in life are out of control.” She continued to lead him around the ice.
“Such as?”
“Laughter when you’re surprised, or the urge to hum along to a song on the radio.” She stuck close to the outer edge of the rink in deference to his uncertain balance, as they made a slow loop. Leo still held her hands as she skated backward, but the longer they stayed on the ice, the surer his movements became.
“What else?” he asked.
She gave his question some thought. “The way your heart races when you’re about to share a first kiss. You feel completely out of control.” Her own heart began to race at the thought.
Her gaze darted to his lips, but she quickly glanced away because she and Leo weren’t going to share a first anything. This wasn’t that kind of outing. It wasn’t a date.
There’d been something almost sad about him as they sat across from each other in the restaurant and he’d told her he spent most of his time working. That just struck her as wrong.
Everyone should have a little fun and joy in their lives. She’d immediately come up with the idea of bringing him skating and though it was an impulsive decision, as he started to relax and gain a confidence, she knew it had been the right choice.
“Should I let go now?” she asked, noticing he wasn’t depending on her for balance anymore.
He considered it for a moment. “Maybe you can stay by my side instead? And I can keep my hand on you, just in case.”
Adorable, she thought, him admitting he might need more help.
She met his gaze and caught a flicker of heat in his eyes. She wanted to believe he liked holding her hand for reasons beyond needing help balancing, but then she remembered how silly and disappointed she’d felt when she thought he was going to ask her out and instead, he’d wanted her to pretend to be his girlfriend.