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“Don’t get ahead of yourself. At this point, Tom and I are only friends.”
Sage’s mind drifted back to the dinner conversation from the night before, when Ethan’s father had mentioned how friends often turned into family. Her sister’s tone told Sage Tom was fast becoming more than a friend in the same way Ethan was to her.
“Speaking of friends. Ricky has had a lot to say about someone named Ethan. Is this the same guy who is willing to be the real Santa?”
“One and the same.”
“And you’re friends?”
“He’s a good guy,” Sage said, avoiding answering the question.
“I’m glad to hear it. Listen, I need to scoot. Remember, don’t mention anything to Ricky about me being back before Christmas. I don’t want to get his hopes up.”
“I won’t.”
“Thanks again, sis.” They ended the call.
As soon as the wash was finished and clean sheets were on the beds, it was time to leave for the ice-skating rink. Ricky had trouble staying buckled into his seat on the way there. Once she parked, he was like a human pogo stick as they walked toward the ticket booth. She looked for Maria but didn’t see her and headed toward the front of the building. They hadn’t said where they would meet, and she had to assume Maria and the other children were already inside.
Sage paid the fee and reached for Ricky’s hand as they entered the rink. She felt an immediate chill from the ice. Skaters circled the rink while the Christmas music swirled around them. The atmosphere was festive. Sage did a search for Maria and didn’t immediately see her.
Instead, her gaze landed on someone else. Someone she hadn’t expected to find.
“Auntie Sage, look,” Ricky said, his sweet young voice full of enthusiasm. “Ethan’s here.”
Chapter Twelve
Eager to get on the ice, Ricky squirmed while Sage helped him lace up his rented skates.
“Hurry!” the five-year-old said as he fidgeted, sliding halfway off the seat in a rush to get onto the rink. “Michael is already on the ice.”
“I’m trying. Hold still.”
“I can’t,” Ricky protested.
“All right. All right. You’re all set to go.” She sat on her haunches as Ricky flew off his seat and onto the ice.
Once she was on her feet, Sage watched in wonder as Ricky skillfully maneuvered his way around the rink. Ethan came to stand directly behind her. She’d felt his presence and did her best to ignore the fluttering feeling his being this close did to her.
“You’re not skating yourself?” he asked.
“Nope. Been there, done that, and spent most of the time on my butt.”
“Anytime recently?”
“Nope. I learned that lesson as a young teen. It’s an experience I’m not looking to repeat.” Although watching the skaters circling the ice, clearly enjoying themselves, made it tempting. Sage found it hard to resist, but previous experience reminded her it wasn’t a good idea.
“It’s a shame,” Ethan said, as if disappointed.
“Not from where I’m standing,” she said, and then added, “Standing being the operative word.”
Ethan smiled, and that same funny feeling caused her to press her hand against her middle. It was all because of those kisses. She’d felt them to the very bottom of her soul. He’d rocked her world. Having him next to her like this did powerful things to her equilibrium, a reaction she’d rather ignore. Again, she reminded herself that despite the attraction she felt, Ethan was after the very position she desperately wanted. Yet this feeling of wonder increased each time they were together, making that difficult. Perhaps that was part of his game plan, to get her to fall in love with him. No, she refused to give in to the negativity. Ethan had promised she could trust him, and she wanted—no, needed—to believe him.
Gesturing toward the ice, she said, “What about you?” It would be best if he wasn’t in such close proximity.
“Later,” he said.
“Where’s Maria?” Sage had assumed Ethan’s sister would be at the rink.
