Page 73 of Only You

Nineteen

Kayla was looking forward to their friend date. It seemed like the perfect antidote to her conflicting emotions about Jack.

“Ready to do this?” Jack asked.

They were at the ice rink and had just laced up their ice skates. Kayla’s were rented, but Jack had brought his own hockey skates. She stayed seated while he stood before her, his handsome face split into a wide grin. “Why do I get the feeling that you’re going to be really good at skating?” she asked.

“Because I’m good at everything?”

Especially kissing. “And you’re humble too,” she chided him.

“I might have played hockey as a kid, and occasionally, as an adult.”

“I knew it! Why didn’t you mention it before?”

“Because you haven’t skated in a long time, and I didn’t want you to feel intimated.”

Kayla shook her head. “You just wanted to impress me with your expert skating skills.”

Jack offered her his hand. “Come on. Let’s get on the ice before it gets crowded.”

Kayla’s no touching rule was going to be challenging, especially since she hadn’t skated in so long. Jack patiently waited until she finally clasped his hand and allowed him to pull her to standing. She wobbled, and he placed his other hand on her waist and steadied her.

“You got this,” he said.

She raised her eyebrows. “This isn’t even the hard part!”

“Do you want to walk on your own?”

Kayla glanced around. The rink was getting busier, and she didn’t want to fall before she even got on the ice. “Just hold my hand until we get out there.”

Jack nodded and entwined their fingers together.

His grip felt warm and reassuring as they slowly strode toward the rink, receiving several appreciative looks as they went. We must look like we’re on a romantic date, thought Kayla. Somehow, the thought wasn’t as disturbing as she thought it would be.

At the entrance to the rink, they waited behind some young kids, who took off with ease. Now it was their turn.

“Are you ready to let go?” Jack asked.

Kayla glanced at the skaters whizzing past while others clung to the wall around the rink like their life depended on it. “Not yet,” she admitted.

Jack tightened his grip on her hand as he carefully led them onto the ice. Kayla assumed ice skating was like riding a bike, and her muscle memory would take over. However, it wasn’t quite as simple as that, especially with so many people to watch out for.

“We’ll stay near the edge for a few laps,” Jack reassured her.

Kayla skated tentatively at first, but with Jack’s support, her confidence grew. By the third lap around, she was ready to let go of his hand. “I’m good now.” She gently extracted her hand.

“I’ll stay nearby, just in case,” he said.

While Kayla skated cautiously, Jack glided effortlessly over the ice. After a few more times around, she felt bad for holding him back. “You don’t have to keep babysitting me. Why don’t you take a few spins alone?”

“Are you sure?”

“Positive. Besides, I know you’re dying to show off.”

Jack chuckled loudly, garnering attention from a group of teenaged girls who skated past. It wasn’t the first time Kayla had caught them eyeing him. Jack was ten years older than them, but he was still eye candy.

He took off, gliding over the ice with smooth, long strides. Much like the giddy teenagers, Kayla couldn’t take her eyes off him. From their first meeting, she’d been attracted to his charming, quiet confidence. Jack was the perfect example of someone who was comfortable in his own skin, and it was easy for Kayla to be herself with him. She’d never been afraid to tell him anything or show her flaws. Until now. The realization hit her like a ton of bricks and made her weak at the knees. She skated to the edge and leaned against the wall, adopting a casual pose.