Page 49 of Power

“Still…in California?” I reiterated.

“I know it doesn’t seem like the type of place for winter sports, but we had a rink near my house.”

“Isn’t hockey kind of…violent?” I asked, putting my arms out for extra balance.

“Notkind of.It’s very violent. But I was young when I played, so we weren’t trying to prove our manliness by beating the crap out of each other yet.” He flashed me a grin that lit up his handsome face.

His smile was infectious, and I returned the sentiment. “You seem to be really athletic.”

“Yeah, being active is a huge stress reliever for me, especially since I have a nine-to-five job. It helps doing something active after work to release all the tension from the day. What about you? Play any sports growing up?” he asked.

“Ummm, not really. I was too obsessed with computers to leave my room. But since I lived in the Northwest, my parents forced me outdoors. They’d make me hike with them sometimes or go kayaking in the summer. They were big into camping too.” Although I knew my way around a computer better than the average person, I could also fish, start a fire from sticks, and pitch a tent. I didn’t like doing those things, but my parents had made me learn so I could help while we camped.

“That sounds peaceful.” He turned so he was facing me, skating backward.

“I used to hate it, but now I miss it.” I would have given anything to go back to the days when I had lived at home and my dad had still been alive.

I was too wrapped up in our conversation to notice a large nick in the ice in front of me. The front of my skate caught in the hole, causing me to tumble down to the ice. Blake tried to catch my hand on the way down, but I pulled him down with me.

He landed on top of me, his firm arms encasing me on the ice. His eyes caught mine as we lay there amidst the other skaters zooming around us. His expression turned serious as his gaze drifted toward my lips.Oh no.

I cleared my throat to dissolve the silence between us and turned my face away from his as I tried to push up to stand. He quickly righted himself first and then extended his hand to offer me help. I accepted his assistance and got up as quickly as I could.

“I’m such a klutz,” I said, nervously laughing off the whole thing.

Blake followed my lead, downplaying my rejection. “Are you okay?”

“Yeah, I’m good. Just more embarrassed than anything,” I said as I ran my fingers through my hair to hide any evidence of my fall.

“At least you’re a graceful faller.” His smile didn’t reach his eyes like it normally did. This was just a polite smile.

I chuckled. “You’re too kind, but thanks!”

We made our way out of the rink and pretended our almostwhateveron the ice had never happened. We found Nat stuffing her mouth with a warm cinnamon bun. She had frosting smeared on the sides of her mouth.

“Hey!” she said with her mouth full.

“Hey,” Blake and I answered in unison.

“How was the rink?”

“Great,” I said, adding a “Where’d you get that from?” to get her to change the topic.

“The booth at the far end. I would have gotten you all one, but I didn’t know how long you’d be skating for. It tastes so good warm!”

“Oooh, I’m going to go grab one,” I said, hoping to put some space between myself and myfriendwho almost kissed me.

“Allow me,” Blake said, sounding as eager as I was to get away.

“Oh, thanks.” I smiled.

“No problem. I could go for one too,” he said, then he rushed off in search of treats.

I sat next to Nat on the bench to rest my ankles.

“Your boyfriend is going to be sooo pissed!” she sang as she rocked her shoulders side to side, dancing to her little song.

“Who?” I asked. “Shyam?”

---