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I’m not old fashioned, I don’t expect him to pay, but...that was rude, right? I sigh and pay for the tickets, then join the short queue for the skate hire, although it’s signposted as skate rental. Another language difference I guess.
“Skating alone?” A low, husky voice asks. I blink, and suddenly I’m staring into the eyes of the skate hire guy. I’m too speechless to reply and too...dazzled to look for a name tag. Oh my. I gulp. Skate Hire Guy is...well, he’s...whoa. Yes, yes please.
There’s a little drool on your chin there, Lumi.
He’s got to be a little under six feet maybe—though it’s hard to tell with the counter between us—lean but with long, strong limbs. He’s wearing a backwards white and black snap-back cap and I can see dark locks pushed back out of his way. They look soft. Like I could run my fingers through them for hours and it would feel velvety not greasy.
His short sleeve black T-shirt contrasts the riot of colorful tattoos spilling all down his arms, and I can see the outline of his twin nipple piercings through his shirt, which is just the right amount of tight. They’re surprisingly appealing, the piercings, though he’s definitely not my usual type. When I had a type. It’s been so long I don’t even remember what I like anymore. Except, I like this guy. I really like this guy.
“Aren’t you cold?” I ask, staring into his warm ale-colored eyes and trying not to blush. Great opening line, Lumi.
“You get used to it. Hazard of the job.”
“I bet there are many,” I reply in a flirtatious tone. Seriously? Am I flirting right now? Why?
Erm, because he’s hot.
Do you even remember how to flirt?
“Managed to escape injury thus far...so what size?”
“A six, please.”
“Tiny feet.” He grins like he might be teasing me. I nod. I’m fairly tall at five foot six, and I know my feet are small for my size. Can a tall girl be petite? I sort of am. I have quite a delicate frame and bone structure I guess. “Figure or hockey?”
“Figure, please.”
A moment later he places a pair of shabby white skates on the counter. I notice a splash of neon green paint on the right side of the right shoe, near the blade. That’s odd. Glancing around, I don’t notice anything neon green around the rink. Maybe this pair was donated? The left shoelace is ripped, but I think I’ll still be able to tie it securely. I just hope they’re comfortable. The last thing I want or need right now is to get blisters from bad skates.
Our fingers lightly brush as he reaches to take my shoes from me, and I feel my heart rate spike at the casual, accidental contact. It’s obviously been way too long if a simple brush of the finger is getting me all excited. I honestly wish I could slap myself right now. I would, if I weren’t worried it would make me look like a lunatic.
“So, are you skating alone?” he asks again. I find myself enthralled by his voice. It’s gravelly and low, but melodic like a crooning ballad from a rock god. I want to stay and talk to him all night. I wonder if he sings. I bet he’d sound amazing. He has the sort of voice that could charm you right into bed. And that would be very very dangerous.
I could cope with a little danger, I think before immediately shutting that shit down. I’ve worked so hard for so long to keep Ade and me out of danger that I’m not about to risk it all on some casual hook up with a skate attendant. Or any guy for that matter. I need to get through this date, get home, and tell Sacha never to set me up again.
“No. Blind date.”
“Jeez, be careful out there. I don’t know how they do it.” He smirks and shakes his head.
“Huh? Do what?”
“Blind people. How do they manage normal things like skating?”
I laugh, unable to control how loudly it comes out. I’m pretty sure he’s joking, but his face is stoic as he passes me the figure skates, brushing my hand again with bolts of lightning. I don’t think it’s an accident this time. I smile.
“Thanks. I’ll be careful.”
“Make sure you are. But if anything happens, I’ll save you.” He winks, and my stomach flips in excitement as I wave goodbye and cross to the edge of the rink to put my skates on.
My date is nowhere to be seen. Oh well, I think, as I step out onto the ice with a feeling of coming home. That’s kind of a relief.
