Page 50 of One Last Run

Danica watched her for a long, silent moment before biting her lower lip.

“I really, really want to kiss you right now,” Pete’s heart thumped with nervous energy in her chest.

Danica pulled back just enough to tilt her head up to look at Pete, and Pete tensed, ready for a lecture about timing. Instead, Danica pushed onto her tip-toes, angling her face up. “Then kiss me.”

Pete’s heart nearly galloped out of her chest, and she wasted no time in following Danica’s command. She closed her eyes, leaning into Danica, only to find that Danica had her hands on Pete’s chest to stop her.

“Wait, no, hold on, let me wipe my nose,” Danica laughed, pulling a tissue out of her pocket. “That was like a super romantic moment and I don’t want my snot to ruin it.”

Pete laughed as Danica handed her a tissue as well. “Always prepared, Wendell.” She wiped her own nose.

“Okay,” Danica said, clearing her throat and tucking her tissue away in her pocket again. “Now.” She pushed back onto her tip-toes and Pete held her tight again, kissing her slow and heavy, lingering and unhurried and enjoying the moment. Their coats made soft shushing sounds against one another as they shifted, fitting into one another.

There was no hesitation in this kiss, no hesitation in the way they reached for one another, like they weren’t worried about the time they had together. Lost in the deep, passionate kiss, she felt Danica's warm hands replace the chill on her face. She wasn’t sure when Danica shed her mittens, but the tender touch soothed her skin. It was a caress that spoke of cherishing and protection.

They were awkward on the ice, and Pete held Danica close to her, keeping them both steady and stable. It was the kind of kiss a woman could get used to — the kind of kiss she’d think about for hours, or days, even. She remembered all the best kisses with Danica, but this one ranked high.

“I’m so glad you’re not getting snot on me right now,” Pete whispered against Danica’s mouth as they both paused for air.

“Ooh, dirty talk.” Danica smiled back against Pete’s lips.

“I actually did want to show you something.” Pete said as she sank to her knees. She tugged Danica down with her, then rolled onto her back. The chill of the ice bit into her body, even through her ski jacket, but Danica laid down next to her, even while asking repeatedly what they were doing.

From the far side of the pond, the lights from the shops weren’t so noticeable. Despite the resort and Mountain Village lights, she could still make out her favorite constellations, their faint light twinkling against the brighter backdrop.

Their warm breath swirled in front of their faces as they stared up at the night sky.

Danica pointed toward the southeastern sky. “There’s Sirius. Which makes that Canis Major. Your favorite.”

Pete turned her head, watching Danica. “You remember my favorite constellation?”

“Don’t get a big head about it. It’s the dog and Sirius is one of the brightest stars,” Danica said, but Pete could tell even in the darkness that she was smiling.

“And your favorite, right there,” Pete said, pointing to the south edge of Canis Major. “Lepus.”

Danica laughed.

“What’s so funny?” Pete asked.

“I never cared about Lepus. I mean, the hare is great, but I only said that it was my favorite to impress you,” Danica admitted.

Pete let out a small gasp, and turned her head to the side to see Danica’s face in profile, her wide smile visible even in the dark. “Seriously?”

“Yeah. It was closest to your favorite, and it was easy to find because it’s kind of halfway between Sirius and Rigel,” Danica said.

“You are ridiculous. I can’t believe you did that,” Pete said, reaching to squeeze Danica’s hand. “You never had to lie to impress me, Wendell.”

“Yeah, tell that to dorky eighteen-year-old Danica,” Danica said.

“You were never dorky,” Pete said, scooting to be closer to Danica, who was laughing in disbelief. “Okay, maybe like, a little dorky, but mostly just cute.”

“You were cool and knew all of the names of stars and where the constellations were and which stars were actually Saturn. You had a favorite constellation that wasn’t Orion’s Belt or Cassiopeia, and I really wanted you to think I was cool, too,” Danica said, holding a mittened hand over her eyes. “It sounds so dumb when I admit it now.”

“I always thought you were cool in your own way,” Pete said.

“Ouch.”

“No, I mean it. Don’t make that face. That’s not like a participation trophy compliment. You were so sure of who you were and who you would be. I had no idea what I was doing, and I found that confidence and drive very attractive. And, to be honest, I always thought you liked Lepus because you’re basically a hare. Always going, always ambitious, always very aware of everything going on around you,” Pete said.

---