Page 20 of No Time for Traditions

“Hey, Brittany.”

Brittany moved her head toward the voice. “Greg?”

Greg waved with one hand, keeping the other hugged to the rink wall. He smiled and slugged their way.

“I think he needs you,” Scott said.

Brittany frowned at Scott.

“Go on. I think my family’s ready for a hot chocolate break, anyway.” Scott nodded toward Greg and winked at Brittany.

She gave him the meanest look she could muster and skated toward Greg. Even worse than Greg getting to her was her big brother’s teasing about it.

Greg smiled and straightened his stance when she came over. “Now I know why I’ve never tried this before.”

Brittany laughed. It was entertaining to see someone as athletic as Greg tripping over his own feet. “If my nephew can learn, so can you.”

She slid beside him on the wall. “Come on.” Brittany held out her hand.

Greg’s large hand wrapped around hers with a firm grasp. Every nerve in her body tingled at his touch. He’d touched her face once and then her waist when he’d helped her off the ice. But she’d never touched him. Especially on purpose.

As heat rose inside of her, Brittany justified holding his hand. How else could she help him skate?

“You can let go of the side.” Brittany looked back at Greg’s other hand.

He slowly lifted his hand from the wall and stepped toward her. Their legs touched for a second before she started to skate. Greg followed, staying within inches of her. After a few wobbles, he let go of her hand and linked his arm in hers for better support. Brittany’s heart beat a bit faster as Greg hung close. They inched across the ice, people of all ages passing them.

“You’re getting better.” Brittany looked up at Greg. He smiled down at her, highlighting the dimple in his cheek. She studied the lines that formed around his mouth.

Brittany blinked, not wanting to get lost in his face. Those perfect teeth, offset by a single dimple. She jerked her head toward the ice, realizing their faces were dangerously close. Did she want to kiss Greg? Maybe. But not here. Not in the middle of town with half of Hillside mingling around.

Small talk. That should get her mind off Greg’s mouth. “So, if you don’t skate, what brought you here?”

“Food trucks.”

Brittany nodded. “I can appreciate that.”

“If you don’t mind, I’d like to buy you dinner for teaching me to skate.”

Brittany faced Greg. His lips curved. She caught herself staring at his mouth once more and moved her eyes to meet his.

“Okay.” Brittany shook her head. Holding onto Greg had caused her to forget everything else. “Scott’s family. I came with them. They may want to eat.”

“Good. But Scott can buy theirs.” Greg winked.

She sighed, melting into his dimpled grin. Brittany unintentionally leaned into him. Her arm tingled at the warmth of his strong arm pressed against hers. Greg gripped her arm in response.

They skated arm in arm toward the rink exit. By now, Greg didn’t need to hold on to Brittany, but he held on tighter still. And she didn’t mind one bit.

Scott, Amber, and Scotty sat at a table nearby drinking hot chocolate. When Scott spotted them, he gave Brittany a mischievous grin. She squinted her eyes and shook her head. She was well aware of how they looked and didn’t need any reminders from Scott.

“I’m just helping a friend,” Brittany muttered under her breath, again justifying her actions.

“What?”

“Nothing. Just talking to myself.” Brittany looked up at Greg and watched as his eyes scanned her face.

Was he looking at her lips the way she’d looked at his? If so, it would only be a matter of time before she could no longer resist kissing Greg Tucker.

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