Page 31 of With This Ring

“Are you all right?” he asked despite the pain radiating up his back and shoulders.

Her eyes flew open, and she scrambled off him to sit on the floor. Wincing, she rubbed her right knee. “I’m fine.”

“You don’t look like it.” He touched her shoulder, and she shifted away from him.

A group of skaters gathered around, and the overhead music stopped.

But Hudson ignored the crowd and kept his focus on his ex. “Do you think you can stand?”

Dakota ignored him and continued to rub her knee.

He struggled to stand on his own, then held his hand out to her. “Take my hand.”

She peeked up at him, hesitating.

Oh, she’s infuriating!

“Dakota, stop being so stubborn and take my hand,” he said, his words measured.

Reaching up, she linked her fingers with his, and he lifted her to her feet.

Kayleigh skidded to a stop beside them. “Are you okay?”

“I’ll help her to a booth,” Hudson said. “Could you find her an ice pack?”

Kayleigh gave him a strange look before hurrying off toward the snack bar.

“Can you skate?” He looped his arm around her waist to hold her steady.

She sucked in a breath, and her dark eyes glittered. “I’m not sure.”

“Do you want me to carry you?” he offered.

She shook her head and gripped his shoulder. “No, I’ll skate.”

“Fine. But take it slow.”

The crowed parted for them, and they slowly made their way to the booths, where he helped her sit. She slid to the far end and stretched out her right leg, blanching at the movement.

“Do you want me to take you to the ER?” he asked, sitting down across from her.

“No.” She sniffed. “I’m sure it’s just a bad bruise.”

Silence expanded between them, and she kept her focus on her leg.

“Thanks for the gift card.”

She finally met his gaze. “Thanks for helping me. And for the book.”

“Were you able to get the tire fixed?”

Dakota nodded. “Carter Donovan took care of it.”

“I remember him from school.”

Hudson opened his mouth to speak again but was interrupted when Kayleigh arrived with an ice pack. “Here you go.”

Dakota placed the ice on her sore knee and winced once again. “I think both my pride and my knee are bruised.”

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