Page 11 of Love on Thin Ice

He loves me.

And holy cucumber sandwiches, I’m in love with him too.

Jack struts back to stand beside me, and I get ahold of myself. “He’s wearing a high-low maxi that can be accented perfectly with a belt. It’s great for all body types, but especially those of us who carry our weight down in our hips, like me.”

I leave out the part about the fabric and the leaves, and simply add, “I hope you’ll come visit me at Sweet Curves. We’re right across the street from the sporting goods store, and mygrand opening is today at one o’clock. I’ve got everything to make you look absolutely fabulous, no matter the occasion.”

I hand the mic back to the announcer, because there’s another shop doing something right after me, and I follow Jack backstage. The models are giggling and twittering, and I should tell them all they did a great job.

“So,” Jack says from where he’s glued himself to my side. “How’d I do?”

I don’t even have words. I just stare at him, my heart in my throat, and before I can stop myself, I throw my arms around his neck and pull him in for a hug.

“You’re insane,” I whisper, my voice thick with emotion. “But thank you.”

Jack pulls back slightly, his blue eyes searching mine, and suddenly, the playful grin fades. His expression turns serious, intense, and my pulse quickens.

“Poppy,” he says, his voice low, rough, and rumbly—exactly how I like it. “I know I’ve got a past. But this?” He kneads me closer to him. “This is different. You’re different.”

I swallow hard, my eyes stinging with unshed tears. “Jack, I?—”

“No, listen,” he says, cupping my face in his hands. “I love you. I know it’s fast, but I’ve never felt this way about anyone. Ever.” His voice cracks, just slightly, and it makes my heart flop around hopefully. “Everything in my life that I’ve done right has happened fast. I’m not afraid of loving you after only a couple of days.”

“It’s been three,” I say.

“Three, then.” He lowers his head oh-so-dangerously-close to mine. “I love you,” he says, but he doesn’t seal it with a kiss.

So I pull him to me and press my lips to his in a kiss that says everything my voice can’t.

Jack kisses me back, his hands tangling in my hair, pulling me closer until there’s no space left between us. The crowd around us fades away, and it’s just him and me, standing in the middle of the chaos, and the models, and the festival, holding on to each other like we’re the only thing that matters.

I take a gasping breath, say, “I love you too,” and kiss him again.

7

It’s beena whirlwind couple of months since the Harvest Festival. My boutique is thriving—more than I could’ve ever imagined—and my life with Jack? Well, that’s thriving too.

I’m standing in the kitchen of Jack’s house, watching him put the finishing touches on a plate of pancakes. He’s been up since the crack of dawn, which is no surprise. Hockey season officially starts in a week, and he’s been in full training mode for a while now. But today, he looks more relaxed than I’ve seen him since that day in my office.

“Are you going to tell me where we’re going?” I ask, leaning against the counter and taking a sip of my coffee.

Jack grins, flipping the last pancake onto a plate and sliding it toward me. “Nope. It’s a surprise.”

I narrow my eyes, pretending to be annoyed, but I can’t keep the smile off my face. “You know I hate surprises.”

“You’ll like this one,” he says, his eyes twinkling as he takes a seat beside me. “Trust me.”

I do trust him. More than I ever thought I could trust anyone. And that scares me sometimes—but in the best way possible.

After breakfast, we head out, and Jack drives us to the outskirts of town. The leaves are just starting to turn, shades of red, yellow, and orange dotting the landscape. It’s gorgeous, and I can’t help but feel a sense of peace as we wind through the mountains.

We pull up to a charming little house nestled in the hills, and I immediately recognize it from the pictures Jack has shown me. His parents’ house.

“Your family’s here?” I ask, my heart picking up speed.

Jack nods, his expression softening. “Yeah. I think it’s time you met them.”

I follow him inside, where his mom pulls me into a tight embrace, and his dad pats me on the back like I’m already part of the family. It’s overwhelming, but in the best way.

---