Page 64 of Heat It Up (Off the Ice)
“Are you and Sofia going to keep seeing each other when you return home?” he asks as we walk back to shore. Sofia and Maija are on the beach, rubbing themselves dry with their towels.
His comment surprises me. It’s one I haven’t thought about. “Are you asking or is Maija?”
“I’m sure Maija’s wondering the same, but no, the question is mine.” At my hesitation, he adds, “I understand if you don’t want to tell me. Or if you don’t want me to say anything to Maija.”
“I really don’t know what’s gonna happen when I go home. I’ve applied for a few hockey-related jobs that are out of state.” I had phone interviews this week for the coaching job in Seattle and the scouting position in Texas.
“But if you end up staying in Minneapolis…?”
If I were to stay in Minneapolis, I wouldn’t want to keep up our friends-with-benefits arrangement. But I’m not sure what I want beyond that. I loved Gabby and lost her. Her loss just about did me in. Would I be willing to risk that again?
“I don’t know,” I say, more to myself than to him.
Chapter Thirty-Three
Sofia
After we spend time swimming and eating our picnic, we wander around the island, checking out the stores and the sights. We explore the Russian- and Swedish-designed buildings, the courtyard with the tomb of Augustin Ehrensvärd, King’s Gate, the museum inside Vesikki Submarine, and the museum inside the old prison.
“Kyle,” Toivo says, as we head for the café Joni recommended, “you should try the black-licorice ice cream.”
I screw up my nose. Kyle laughs. “That bad, huh?”
“I’ve never been a fan of Finnish black licorice.” Or any black licorice.
Of course Kyle, your typical athletic male, goes for the challenge. Once we’re all outside with our cold treats, he holds the cone out for me to try.
“I’m good thanks.” I lick my strawberry ice cream. “Yum.”
“This isn’t bad,” he says.
I lick mine again, trailing my tongue slowly up the side of the sweet goodness. Kyle watches, and his Adam’s apple jumps up then drops. “Still yummy,” I say.
“I’ll lick it, Kyle.” Lovisa’s gaze drops to his shorts and she takes a step closer to him.
Without warning, Kyle hooks his arm around my waist and yanks me in front of him. I stumble slightly at the quick move, but his arm keeps me from falling. Ignoring her, I turn to him, wrap my free hand around his neck, and kiss him. Our cold tongues slide against each other. This is as close to tasting the black licorice as I’m going to get. I still don’t like it, but it tastes a little better when Kyle is involved.
His hand slips under the hem of my tank top and rests against my skin. I’d like to say the message is clear that he’d rather be with me, but he’s been giving her not-so-subtle messages since it became obvious Lovisa wants him. She’s either really dumb or really stubborn.
I pull away slightly and smirk at him. “My strawberry ice cream is still better.”
“I might have to agree with you there.”
I let him have a lick then kiss him again. It’s not a long kiss, but it’s enough to keep me satisfied until it’s just the two of us.
We finish our ice creams and check out the art galleries and studios. It’s late afternoon by the time we return to Helsinki.
“I can drive you home,” Joni tells me as the ferry docks. The marketplace is packed up for the day, with a few workers still cleaning away the mess. Seagulls squawk and argue over forgotten scraps.
“That’s okay,” Kyle says, his hand resting on my hip. “I’ve got it.”
Joni shrugs and leaves to join his friends.
“Did you want to go back to my place? Or do you want me to drive you straight home?”
I rest my hand on his arm, his biceps hard beneath my palm. “I’d love to go back to your apartment, but I need to study.” I know if I go there, I’ll have a hard time leaving and won’t get any studying done tonight. “How about Monday?”
“How about tomorrow?”
