Page 9 of Waltzing on Ice

Her fingers tighten on the railing. She’s thinking about it too. I can see it in her eyes. Then, just as quickly, she pulls away. “We should go back inside.”

My jaw tenses, but I step back, nodding once. “Yeah. Sure.”

I watch as she walks ahead, back into the conference room, back into the lie we’ve been selling, and I wonder if I evenwantit to be a lie anymore.

Chapter Eight

Daisy

I should be used to this by now. The cameras, the performance, the way every touch and glance is calculated. It’s different this time. This “date” is completely for positive PR.

We are skating at an outdoor rink in the heart of the city, twinkling fairy lights strung above us, the crisp air biting at my cheeks. It’s picturesque and romantic—a scene designed to make people believe in love stories.

And that’s exactly what we need them to believe.

Finn skates up beside me, grinning as he twirls effortlessly before stopping inches from my face. “Nervous?”

I scoff. “It’s skating, Finn. I think I’ll survive.”

His smirk deepens. “That’s funny because you look terrified of having fun.”

I roll my eyes, but before responding, he tugs my hand and pulls me onto the ice. The photographers lurking at the edges of the rink, hired by Kara, snap away as Finn twirls me under his arm, making a show of it. I keep my smile in place, playing my role, but something inside me shifts when I meet his gaze.

He’s enjoying this. “Let’s race,” Finn says suddenly, skating a few feet ahead.

I frown. “That’s childish.”

“So is pouting, but here you are with that lip stuck out just waiting for someone to bite it.”

I huff, ignoring his insinuation that he wants to be the one biting my lip. “Fine.”

Before I’m ready, Finn takes off. I curse under my breath and push forward, chasing after him. The cold wind whips through my hair, and for the first time inforever, I’m not thinking about form, scores, or expectations. I just skate.

Finn glances back at me, laughter in his eyes. “Is that all you got?”

I dig in harder, propelling myself forward. Just as I reach him, he cuts in front of me, causing me to stumble. I yelp, arms flailing, but before I can hit the ice, Finn catches me.

We collapse together in a heap, laughter spilling from his lips. My heart is hammering, my pulse erratic, but not from the fall—from him.

Finn props himself up on his elbows, his face inches from mine. His breath is warm in the cold air, his hands still holding me close. “You okay?”

I nod, unable to find my voice.

His gaze flickers to my lips. The amusement in his eyes fades, replaced by somethinghotter.

And then, he kisses me. Not for the cameras. It’sreal. His lips move against mine, slow and deliberate like he’s savoring every second. And the worst part? I kiss him back.

Heat surges through me as I grab the front of his jacket, pulling him closer and deepening the kiss. It’s reckless and dizzying and everything I swore I wouldn’t let happen. Which is exactly why I panic.

I shove him away, scrambling to my feet. “We—we should go.”

Finn stays on the ice, watching me with an unreadable expression. “Daisy—”

“Do you ever take anything seriously, Finn? Or are you so sure that everyone is going to love you that you joke and tease your way through life?”

“That’s not fair,” Finn says, coming closer to where I’ve stopped. “There are lots of things I’m serious about. I don’t know how I got this reputation of being some kind of flighty jackass, but I’m serious about skating. I also feel pretty serious about that kiss.”

“It was just for the cameras,” I blurt, even though we both know that’s a lie.

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