Page 37 of At the Edge with You

Instantly, she freezes up and swallows. The only time she doesn’t think before she acts is when she’s on the ice. She has to prepare to go out, to see people, and I really want to kick Dean’s ass for putting her on the spot. Breathlessly, she says, “Yeah, maybe I will.”

I watch as her fingers cross and uncross. I know if she were sitting down, her leg would be bouncing. “I’ll come with you.”

She whips her head toward me. “Huh?”

“I’ll go with you. Only makes sense since we’re doing this together.”

Her brows rise. “You don’t want to sell ad space.”

I shrug. “Maybe y’all are right. We need to do some upgrades.”

She blinks, completely caught off guard, and Dean slaps me on the back. “You do,” he tells me, shaking his head. “Now, Fable, can I get your number so we can talk about private lessons and everything?”

Nope, don’t like that. “No. You can message her through the app like everyone else.”

He looks at me blankly, and I feel her scrutinizing gaze. “She isn’t on there.”

“She will be today,” I announce, needing to remember to text my IT kid to get it done.

Dean rolls his eyes. “What are your rates?”

Fable waves him off. “We can discuss that later.”

I give her a look. “Her prices will be up there too.”

She flashes me an annoyed look, but Dean just laughs. “All right, JT.”

“I’m going to go change. Meet you in the lobby in ten.”

Before she can disagree or even fight me on it, I head out of the rink.

But with each step I take, I wonder if Dean got the message.

That Fable is mine.

My ice princess is a bundle of nerves as we step into Noelle’s Nibbles. It’s a cute little Christmas-themed bakery that sells specialty baked goods and coffees. It’s designed to look like Whoville, with bright Christmas colors and four fully decorated Christmas trees. Each tree sports a different theme, Harry Potter, the Grinch, the Nightmare Before Christmas, and then a Smoky Mountain Christmas. I’m not a big fan of the holiday, but even I can’t deny how magical it feels in here. Staying true to her name, Noelle Matthews is Ms. Christmas.

As Dean said, it’s packed with everyone getting their morning snacks and coffee. When we enter, it’s as if a record skips and everyone’s gazes fall on Fable. She tenses up under their scrutiny, and I watch as a stoic look moves across her face. She stands a bit taller, swallowing hard, and her shoulders hunch in.

I hate that.

Unable to resist, I place my hand on the small of her back. It fits perfectly above her ass, and I want to shift down a bit to grab ahold of one cheek. She looks up at me wide-eyed, and I’m instantly lost in her green gaze. I flash her a reassuring smile. “You’re good.”

It’s not a question; it’s a promise.

Gratitude fills her gaze, and we head to the front counter. I don’t move my hand as we wait our turn. I can feel everyone watching, but my eyes are on her. She looks around, plastering a fake smile that she got from her mother on her face. It isn’t until we get to the front counter that a real smile takes over her expression.

Because Noelle is beaming at her childhood friend.

Noelle Matthews is a gorgeous woman. She’s a year younger than us, with dark-brown hair and sweet caramel eyes. She’s on the thicker side, and I mean, if I worked in a bakery, I would be too. She has such a kind, sunshiny demeanor to her, and you can’t help but smile when you’re in her presence.

Noelle squeaks loudly when she sees Fable before coming around the counter to wrap her arms around her. Unlike when Fable hugged Dean, she doesn’t tense up. Instead, I watch as her body relaxes, and like the Grinch’s heart did, mine grows a bit at the sight.

“Fable! It’s so good to see you,” Noelle says into Fable’s hair. “I was starting to think I’d have to come to a game to see you.”

Fable’s lyrical laugh hits me in the gut as she pulls back. “I know. I’m so sorry. It’s been a rough couple weeks.”

Noelle’s face falls. “I know. I’m sorry for your loss.”

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