Page 81 of Heat It Up (Off the Ice)
I sip the fruity punch Joni fetched for me while I was increasing my list of vocabulary words. Whatever alcohol is in it gives it a nice little kick. I take another sip. Correction. It gives it a nice big kick.
One girl, who’s about seventeen years old, smiles shyly at me before speaking to Joni. She’s the opposite to the rest of them. She’s quiet and doesn’t speak English. She nods at me. He shakes his head but she doesn’t see it.
“What did she say?” I ask.
“It wasn’t important. Let’s dance.” Without giving me a chance to respond, he grabs my hand and pulls me to the makeshift dance floor between several small trees that look like Tinkerbell sneezed pixie dust on them. The miniature lights twinkle in the dimming sunlight.
The fast-paced song ends as we reach the small space, and a slower song takes its place. His grandmother is practically glowing. If Muumu was into texting, I wouldn’t be surprised if she and Aino would be gossiping to each other about this. I silently groan.
Joni puts his arms around my waist and mine automatically go around his neck. I sway in his arms, my gaze focused on the lake.
“It’s pretty here,” I say, needing a distraction.
“Yes, it is,” Joni says. But he’s not looking where I’m looking. Even in my tipsy state, I feel his gaze burning into me.
I continue to watch the lake, you know, in case a mythological beast crawls out of it. Which might not be a bad thing. It would give everyone something else to talk about, other than talking about me and Joni.
The song ends. “How about we go for a walk?” he says. “I could use a break from everyone.”
“What are they talking about?”
“My ex-girlfriend. They like you better. Let’s just say they’re not much different to my grandmother. They think it’s time I settle down.”
“They know I’m seeing someone, right?”
“I did mention it a few times.”
I glance over his shoulder. Everyone’s still watching us.
We walk along a narrow path skirting the lake, until we can no longer see anyone. The laughter and music fades into the background, accompanied by the chirping of frogs. With the sun low in the sky and shimmering off the water, this is easily one of the most romantic locations around.
Joni clears his throat.
I turn to him and his lips are suddenly on mine.
Chapter Forty-One
Sofia
Joni’s lips are only on mine for a second, but the moment they pull away, I turn and run. Deep down a voice tells me I’m overreacting. I ignore it.
I need to run. It’s the only way I know how to deal with the battle of emotions over Kyle’s news, Joni’s kiss, my need to make a decision whether I’m staying in Finland or not, and my fear of trusting a guy only to be hurt again. Joni calls out my name but doesn’t come after me.
Running in sandals…never a good idea. I stop long enough at the fork in the trail to slip them off while deciding which way to go, then I bolt along the sandy path parallel to the lake. I keep going, no doubt trespassing on private property belonging to the neighbors, but that doesn’t stop me.
No, what stops me is a sharp pain slicing into the bottom of my foot. An equally pained cry stumbles from my lips. Crap. I lift my foot. Blood drips onto the sand and the evil chunk of broken glass sticking up.
I half walk, half tip-toe a few feet and drop onto a large flat rock half in the water. I lower my injured foot into the lake, and wash off the blood and sand while inwardly cursing myself for being such an idiot. The cold temperature bites into my skin and soothes the stinging.
Once I’m satisfied it’s numb enough, I lift my foot out of the water and rest my ankle on my knee. The cut is deep, but I can’t tell if I need stitches, or if it just looks worse than it is. Blood oozes from the wound and mixes with the water. The way my luck is going, I wouldn’t be surprised if a blood-loving, mystical creature jumps from the water and latches onto my foot. It’s been that kind of day.
“Sofia!” Joni calls from farther up the path.
“Watch out for the glass!” A warm breeze ruffles strands of hair into my face and mouth. I push it behind my ear and consider my options.
Joni says a word that I’ve long since guessed to be a swear word. I glance over my shoulder to find him staring at my bleeding foot. He bends to inspect it then unbuttons his shirt.
And now it’s my turn to stare. At his body. I knew he was in good shape, but I never realized he’s in this good of shape. Not that this changes anything between us.
