Page 43 of Falling for the Forward

I silently tell Carter that he can either make the right decision now or after we argue privately, but we aren’t getting rid of the girls’ beloved pet, and I don’t want them worrying about it on Christmas Eve.

He shakes his head. “Fine. He can just eat all the carpet in the house, I guess.”

“Carpet’s over,” Dex says lightly. “Put in hardwood.”

“That’s what she said,” Mara says under her breath.

Everyone but Hallie and Carter laughs. When I glance at Carter a few seconds later, I swear I see heat in his gaze. Like he’s telling me he just gave me my way and now he’s going to have his.

I exhale slowly, focusing on building my gingerbread house. It was probably just my overactive imagination. Lots of women would kill to be his plaything, many of them much sexier and more alluring than I am.

Hallie squealswith excitement as Carter spins on his skates, glancing over his shoulder and skating backward while holding her.

The Crush family skate is a bigger event than I realized. The team has Santa and some elves in a suite, passing out gifts and listening to wish lists. There’s a full buffet and a lavish hot cocoa bar with candy, marshmallows and other toppings layered on tiered trays. The whole arena is decked in fresh garland and holiday decor.

Next to me, Charlotte’s hand slips out of mine as her feet slide out from beneath her and she lands on her butt for at least the tenth time.

“I think I’m done,” she says, looking defeated.

“No, that was on me. I should have been holding your hand tighter.”

She cringes as she gets up, looking adorable in her purple knit beanie and purple vest.

“It’s hot chocolate time,” she says.

“I could go for some hot chocolate.”

Olivia left us as soon as we got onto the ice, heading straight for the friends she’s made with other kids with family on the team.

Charlotte and I are almost to the swinging doors leading off the ice when Carter slides to a quick stop next to us, throwing up ice.

“Show-off,” Charlotte says, rolling her eyes.

He grins and sets Hallie down, then looks at me and says, “Your turn.”

My brows shoot up. “My turn? For what?”

He takes one of my gloved hands. “To skate with me.”

“Yeah, no. I can’t keep up.”

“We’re not in a race. I just want to take my wife for a few turns around the rink.”

I’m his wife. The oval solitaire ring on my finger confirms it. Still, my heart skips every time he calls me that. There’s something about hearing him say it that makes me a little giddy.

“I’ll take Halls to get hot chocolate,” Charlotte says, reaching for her sister’s hand.

“Thanks,” I say.

Carter holds both of my hands, smoothly spinning into a backward skating position once again.

“Having fun?” he asks.

“Yeah.”

“You’ve ice-skated before.”

“Five years of figure skating lessons. I once did a routine to “Last Friday Night” by Katy Perry and won second place.”

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