Page 63 of Uniquely in Love

“Great.” He grinned. “Then we’re going out.”

“Out?” I repeated, furrowing my brow. The question in my word was obvious, but he ignored it.

“Uh-huh. Wear something warm.”

It wasn’t even that cold outside yet, though I’d definitely started wearing tights under my dresses when I wore them to school, and I didn’t leave the house without a sweater or one of my favorite cardigans on. Perks of teaching elementary school was I could dress cuteandfunctional. I hardly ever wore slacks, preferring dresses and skirts.

Still, I couldn’t think of a single reason I’d need to dress warmly right now.

“What do you have up your sleeve, Owen Harper?” I asked, narrowing my eyes.

His only response was to slide a plate of pancakes my way. He’d topped them with blueberries, and god, why did he have to remember all the things I’d loved when we were kids? The blueberry yogurt in the fridge was bad enough, but this?

“You’ll see.” He picked up his own plate, scarfing down bites of pancakes.

When we were both finished, he put our dishes into the sink.

“I guess I’ll go shower,” I said, feeling full of pancakes but also slightly sticky. Though, honestly, my days were always a little sticky. Maybe that just came with working with kids, though.

Owen nodded, heading towards his bedroom. “Alright. I’ll do the same, and we can head out when we’re both ready.”

“You’re really not going to tell me where we’re going?”

He grinned as he reached his door. “Nope. Today is all about you, Ellie baby.”

And then he disappeared into his bedroom, leaving me standing in the hallway, staring after him, my heart going pitter patter in my chest.

That was that, I guess. Wherever he was taking me, I was in for a surprise.

I just wasn’t sure if I liked that a little too much.

“What are we doing here?”I asked an hour later, blinking in confusion as I stared at the complex where the Seals practiced. The parking lot was empty, and neither one of us had gotten out of the car. I was just staring at the building.

“Skating.”

He’d told me to dress warm, so I’d pulled on a comfy pair of leggings and an oversized light blue sweater. This wasn’t adate, and I wasn’t dressing up to impress him. Luckily, he hadn’t dressed up either, wearing a pair of jeans and a navy hoodie. Now I knew why.

I frowned. “Owen.” Panic filled my chest as I imagined stepping out onto the ice. About everything I’d left behind five years ago. “I can’t.”

He reached over, grabbing my hand and squeezing it. “You can.”

I shook my head. “You don’t understand.”

“Then help me understand.” His voice was rough. “Please. Don’t shut me out, Ellie.”

Instead of answering him, I opened the door, sliding out of the car before taking a few steps. Wordlessly, Owen joined me, guiding me inside. He’d grabbed a bag out of the car, draping it over his shoulder.

We didn’t speak. Maybe he could sense there was something I was holding back, but he didn’t pressure me. He just walked beside me until we were standing in front of the rink.

Wrapping my arms around my chest, I held myself tight. “I haven’t skated in?—”

“I know.” His voice was soft. “But don’t worry. I’ll be there every step of the way.”

Could I do this? Because it felt like a lot more than just stepping onto the ice again.

“I don’t even have skates,” I whispered. My old pair were probably somewhere in my parents’ house, though I hadn’t used them in years.

Owen winked. “Don’t worry. I’ve got you.”

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