“Okay, I’m ready.” She sounded anything but ready.
Standing, Josh held out his gloved hand. “It’ll come back to you. Skating is a lot like riding a bike.” He hoped so, anyway. If not, he might be kicking himself later for suggesting the activity today.
“If you say so.”
She didn’t hesitate to accept his hand as she cautiously came to her feet. She didn’t let go as they made their way onto the ice. He didn’t know if she kept it there because it helped with her balance or because she wanted the physical contact. Either way, he didn’t care. It felt right there.
Josh kept them as close to the wall as possible as they moved at a snail’s pace across the ice. Around them, people zoomed past, including kids who looked no older than five or six. If he was alone, he’d feel compelled to not only keep up with the other skaters but to pass them. Not today. Right now he was exactly where he wanted to be, and he didn’t care what the people around him were doing.
More than halfway around the ice, Courtney picked up her pace. Rather than moving at the speed of a snail, they were moving about as fast a turtle. They still wouldn’t beat any records, but it was an improvement.
“I was hoping the news was wrong, but it looks and feels like it’s going to snow,” she said as they approached the spot where they’d started.
He’d never be able to explain it to someone who’d never experienced a snowstorm, but he understood exactly what she meant. The air felt like snow was on the way, and he hoped the weather forecast was correct because he loved a good snowstorm. It was one of the many reasons he spent as much of his time as he could in New England.
“At least it’s not supposed to start until around midnight. We should be home from my parents’ by then.” Courtney changed her pace again as they started on their second lap around the rink, and they passed another couple skating.
If the storm started much earlier than expected and forced them to skip dinner, he wouldn’t complain. From the little he knew of her family, they were tight. Given what they believed were the facts of their relationship, he didn’t expect them to welcome him with open arms tonight—not that he expected them to be hostile. Instead, they’d be aloof but polite. Although he wasn’t looking forward to it, he could understand their likely behavior.
“Is your sister going to be there?”
The only time she’d mentioned Juliette was when she announced they were going shopping in Boston for a wedding dress. Before they arrived tonight, he’d like to know who he was about to face across the dinner table.
Courtney glanced at him briefly. “I thought I told you she’d be there.”
Josh shook his head. He would have remembered that detail.
“Mom invited my aunts and uncles too. I don’t know if they’ll make it.”
He’d prepared himself for a small gathering. It sounded like her mom had other plans in mind.
“Between you and me, I hope they don’t. I love them, but I already know Mom will start in again on pushing the wedding date back. If Aunt Judith is there, I think she’ll do the same.”
Except for occasionally attending the Christmas party his dad hosted every year, Josh didn’t do family gatherings. Perhaps if he liked more of his family, he would, but except for his brother, sister, and dad, he’d never been close to the majority of his relatives. That even included his mom. And he couldn’t imagine what it would be like to have a family more like Courtney’s.
“You were right about this being like riding a bike. Another few times out here, and I might be able to keep up with those preschoolers over there.” Smiling, she nodded toward a group of young children learning to skate. “You don’t have to stick by my side while we’re here. Going this slow can’t be a lot of fun for you.”
There’s no place I’d rather be. The thought almost knocked him on his ass. But it was true. The only other person he’d want to be spending time with right now was his daughter. “Who says I can skate any faster than this?”
The look she threw him spoke volumes. Before she could add a comment to her expression, a twenty-something-year old woman wearing a New England Rebels snow hat skated in front of them and stopped, forcing them to do the same or crash into her.
Rather than apologize for almost causing a collision, the woman smiled and pulled a cell phone from her jacket pocket. “You really are here. When Fiona texted that she’d rented skates to you, I didn’t believe her.”
The woman’s comment didn’t surprise him. But he hoped Fiona hadn’t also posted the news on a social media site.
“I’ve seen all your movies. Can I get a photo of us together?” She didn’t wait for an answer before moving into position next to him.
Courtney’s fingers slipped from his hand. “I’ll take it for you.”
Immediately, the fan handed over the device and then put her arm around his waist. “My sister is going to be so mad when I tell her I met you. She loves you. I thought she was going to cry when she read you were getting married.”
Never mind her sister being mad, he was. Thanks to her, other people were taking notice of them. Some we simply staring in their direction, but two people were standing near Courtney with their cell phones in hand. Normally fans didn’t bother him. If not for them, he wouldn’t have a career. This afternoon, he wished he didn’t have a single fan in the world.
“I took a couple for you.” Courtney handed the phone back to the woman, who remained glued to his side.
“Thanks.” Although she removed her arm, she didn’t leave. “Could I take a picture of you for my sister?”
Josh shot Courtney a look intended to tell her he was sorry before answering.
A similar scenario played out with the other two fans. As soon as they left, he grabbed Courtney’s hand and started moving again. The women he dated knew there was a possibility that fans or photographers would seek him out. When it happened, he never felt the need to apologize to them. Today he did.
“I’m sorry.”
He had nothing to be sorry for. Since the moment they’d met, Courtney had known he was one of the biggest male actors around. She’d seen fans approach him countless times while in Hawaii and ask for a few pictures and often an autograph. People wouldn’t suddenly lose interest in him because they were no longer in paradise.
Some conversations you needed to have face-to-face. Courtney skated in front of him and stopped. “Sorry? Why, because those fans came over to you? I knew it would happen eventually.” Moving closer, she placed her palms on his shoulders. “You don’t need to apologize.”
She intended to kiss him on the cheek. Give him a friendly, sisterly kiss to let him know she wasn’t upset. Somehow the message got changed before it reached its final destination, and her lips brushed against his instead.
Considering the outside temperature, his lips should be cold. Instead, they were warm and, in a single word, perfect.
The gag slipped off the bad girl in her, and she spoke up. No point in stopping now.
As if they had a mind of their own, her arms slipped over his shoulders as she moved her mouth against his. With each pass, the rest of the world slipped away a little more. Soon the only things registering were Josh’s lips and his body against hers.