Page 77 of My Promise To Keep

When Zoe looks up at me, I see the moment her insecurities give way.

‘No, I’m sorry. I love that you planned this — just might take me a minute to remember what I’m doing.’

Skates on, we hit the rink. I roll backward, holding her hands in mine, and she’s a little unsteady at first but then finds her groove.

‘I forgot you were good at this,’ she says as I skate along in reverse.

‘Well, it has been a while.’ Taking her hands, I pull her closer, her eyes widen, and she squeals, then giggles.

‘Thank you for this.’

I hold her hand up, and she skates under my arm, coming to my side so we can skate together.

She turns, skating backward, grinning the whole time as she starts to dance, and I can’t keep the smile from my face as I watch, skating behind her as she spins and moves, shaking her ass and laughing when she wobbles, unsteady.

I want this. I want this with her for the rest of my life.

‘My butt hurts,’ Zoe complains as we sit in a booth at the diner attached to the rink, and I laugh.

‘You had fun though?’

‘I did.’ She smiles widely and leans in to kiss me.

‘Good, I’ll kiss your butt better when we get home.’

She leans her head back and laughs, loud and free, and I reach out to take her hand. We’re going to be okay, me and her. This is going to work.

I haven’t seen Zoefor almost two weeks, and it has sucked. We talk every day, and we text often, but I need to see her and feel her skin on mine. I miss her so fucking much it’s embarrassing. It’s been over a month since Pop and Lucy’s wedding, and things have been amazing. She’s been coming up here as often as possible since it’s easier to see each other here than in Forest Falls, but like Gus and Fi, Zoe’s two employees at the bar are a couple, and they’ve been on vacation, so she hasn’t been able to get away, and the shop has been too busy for me to get home.

‘What is the matter with you today?’

I glance up to see Fi staring at me, and I look down at the paper under my hand to see I haven’t drawn so much as a single line.

‘Nothing. Just got some stuff on my mind.’

‘Zoe?’ I narrow my gaze at her, and she rolls her eyes. ‘It’s pretty obvious y’all are finally gettin’ into it.’ She smiles, her Georgia accent thick and smooth as she reaches out and puts her hand on top of mine. ‘If you need someone to talk to, me and Gus are here. I’m guessing her brother isn’t exactly open to discussing you fuckin’ his sister.’

Gus coughs out a laugh and turns his head from the client in his chair.

‘I’ll keep it in mind, Fi. Thanks.’

‘No problem, boss man. Now, answer your damn phone. It’s been ringing off the hook.’

I glance down at my cell phone and see the six missed calls. I must have left it on silent. It starts to ring again, and I don’t recognize the number, so I answer defensively, expecting telemarketers.

‘Leo, it’s Jason. Sorry, man. I got a new number.’

I immediately relax. I met Jason at the tattoo convention in Seattle. He was there from San Diego. He’s a great guy and a fuckin’ incredible artist. He’s also riding high on his celebrity status right now thanks to the reality TV show filmed at his shop.

‘Hey man, you good?’

‘Yes, I am very good, very good indeed, my dude.’ I smile. He’s so typically Californian. With his chin-length blond hair, tan skin, and that accent, he’s almost a caricature.

‘What can I do for you, brother?’ I ask, leaning back in my chair.

‘Actually, it’s what I can do for you.’ My interest is piqued, and I sit up straighter. ‘I have a proposition for you.’

Maybe It’s A Crown

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