Page 45 of UnLucky Christmas
“Awesome, good for you.”
“He’s lying,” Austin tells me.
Chad glares at him. “Skating may not be my thing, but I’m good at things that matter.”
Janelle throws a side glance my way.
“I’m not giving up. I’ll be spinning around on the ice by the end of the night.”
I pat him on the arm. “I like your determination. Don’t listen to the haters.”
I look up to see Macy and Grant coming towards us. This causes my pulse to speed up. A reaction that’s becoming more common.
“Oh great, Grant’s here,” Chad says under his breath. I’m sure almost everyone heard him, but no one reacts except Janelle who makes a face. I shake my head subtly, and thankfully, she catches my hint and doesn’t say anything.
“I’m heading back out there,” Chad announces.
“Do you want some help?” I offer.
He places his hand on my arm. “I think it will be better for my ego if I try it on my own a few more times.”
“Gotcha. Good luck, we’re all cheering you on.”
“Thank you.”
I watch as Chad heads toward the ice like he’s walking into fire.
I sit down next to Janelle and Brian as Macy and Grant join us. Why does this feel so awkward? Maybe I should’ve returned to skating.
“Hey, I’m Brian,” he says holding his hand out to Grant. I can always count on Brian to break the ice. Not literally, of course. We are at an ice-skating rink after all.
“Hello, Grant Williams. I’m Macy’s brother.”
I say a silent prayer Brian doesn’t make a comment. Thankfully, Janelle steps in and blocks any potential humiliation for me.
“I’m Janelle. I’m Whitney’s best friend.”
A hint of a smile appears on his face.
“It’s great to meet you,” he replies.
Huh. I don’t think I’ve ever heard him say that to anyone, and he sounds sincere.
“And you,” Janelle says brightly.
Macy interrupts by announcing that everyone is invited to her house for hot cocoa after skating.
Grant’s eyes dart over to me, and the memory of his lips on mine causes a jolt to shoot through me. I shift around uncomfortably in my seat. Meanwhile, I can tell Janelle is watching all of this and taking it in. She’s a master at reading the room, a skill I don’t possess.
“You ready to get back out there?” Janelle asks me.
“Yes,” I exclaim, louder than intended.
She whispers something to Brian and kisses him on the cheek. I see Grant look at me out of the corner of his eye, and it hits me that I want to pick up where we left off in the lounge.
How did I get myself into this? And how am I going to get out of it?
As soon as we stand up, I hear Brian ask Grant what he does for a living. I have no doubt Janelle put him up to that.
