Page 200 of While You Were Trending

“Declan.”

“Just a fact. I’m good, but I’m not a starter. I had friends growing up, but Zander always had more. Got a documentary deal because a musician whose band broke up went with a different production company for his documentary. I was second choice. Nothing wrong with that. Still had a good hockey career and good friends and limitless opportunities because I have an awesome family that never treated me like second best. Bend your knees a little. There you go. Good girl.”

“You’re the best skating instructor I’ve ever had.”

He smiles at me, then pulls me closer on the skates for a quick kiss. “You don’t have to stroke my ego.”

“I’m no—ahh.”

My legs slide wide again, and I pitch forward into Declan as he tightens his grip on me once more, pulling me back upright.

“I’ve got you,” he murmurs.

My heart glows.

He does.

He has me.

“I’m going to pull you over too,” I tell him.

“Bring it.”

“Does it hurt when you fall?”

“Not if you fall right.”

I stare into his eyes as he pulls me around the curve at the end of the rink.

I’m falling.

Not on the ice.

My heart.

My heart is falling.

“Do you always fall right?” I whisper.

His lips quirk up in a soft smile. “Very rarely.”

I swallow. “If you…fell…today, would you fall right?”

“Yes.”

“How can you be sure?”

“I won’t letyoufall wrong.”

I lick my lips. My breath is coming too fast, and despite the initial chill I felt when I stepped on the ice, I’m warm and tingly all over right now, as if I’m sipping hot cocoa in front of a fire instead of slowly making my way around an ice rink.

“Are we talking about skating?” I whisper.

“No,” he whispers back.

I bite my lip, just as helpless to stop my smile as I am to stop my own heart. I’m no longer skating on ice. I’m gliding on sunshine.

No,withsunshine.