Page 25 of Holiday Hook Up

Could he be getting the spell half right?

Adam wasn’t predicting soul mates; he was outing last kisses.

She moved her hand from her face and gazed onto the ice. Is that even possible? She was the first one to admit she knew nothing about the laws of magic, but it was common knowledge that Abby could only cast the first letter of the intended soul mate. Maybe the blue mixing spoon could only go as far as revealing who the bachelorette last kissed.

If her hunch was right, that would mean Adam’s name wouldn’t show up in Rachel’s batter. Bethany wasn’t exactly sure whose would, but she’d put money down on Carter.

Rachel would be crushed.

Bethany didn’t want to see her best friend hurt, but on the other hand, what if Rachel managed to kiss Adam before he did the spell. They’d both falsely think they belonged together.

Not wanting to go down that rabbit hole, she stood because she needed to tell Adam what she suspected he was doing, pronto. Just then, he and Rachel glided by, and he waved.

Bethany gave a short wave back. Man, he’d been so over the moon excited earlier today when he’d thought he’d done the spell right. The last thing she wanted to do was tell him that he’d failed again.

Son of an elf!He was going to be so bummed when he realized he wasn’t predicting soul mates. She sat back down, her foot accidentally touching Zoe’s skates. Glancing down at the white skates that appeared to be her size, a crazy idea popped into her head. She grabbed the pair and headed for the refreshment stand. “Zoe, you wouldn’t happen to be a size seven, by chance?”

“Seven and a half.”

Close enough. She held up the skates. “May I borrow these?”

“Sure.” Zoe eyed Will who hadn’t brought his. “I won’t be using them.”

“Thank you. I’ll stop by your shop and return them tomorrow.” It took less than five minutes for Bethany to put on the skates and shove her boots in one of the wall cubbies.

She stepped onto the ice in the direction of Adam and Rachel, her camera strap around her shoulder. Armed with a plan, she glided over to the corner they’d been standing in as to not be run over by anyone. Adam’s hand was still in Rachel’s.

“Hi.” She came up beside them, tapping Adam’s arm.

“Hey, LB.” He grinned and let go of Rachel’s hand. That caused him to lose his balance and he grabbed on to Bethany.

“I’ve got you.” Bethany latched on to his middle, the spicy smell of his cologne tickling her nose.

“Thanks. I can’t believe how bad I am at this. It’s been a few years, but I thought it was like riding a bike.”

Bethany laughed because it so was nothing like riding a bike. “You’ll get the hang of it again in no time.”

“What are you doing here, Bethany?” Rachel asked, reaching for Adam’s hand.

“Taking some pictures.” She pointed to her camera, ready to execute her brilliant idea. “Jason has some great news. The story is going to be even bigger than he expected and he wants me to follow one couple around on their dates. I suggested you two, and he loved it. So, we start tonight. I hope that’s okay.”

“That sounds like fun.” Adam chuckled. “But don’t take any of me falling on my butt.”

“I promise they will all be flattering.” Bethany spun on her skate so she was facing them. “Let’s start now.”

She instructed them to pose for a series of shots. While Adam was game and did everything she requested, Rachel grew tired after twenty minutes of posing on the ice.

“Adam, I’m getting hungry. Why don’t we go grab something to eat?” Rachel asked, reaching for his hand.

“Great, I’m starving,” Bethany said, turning her camera off.

“Bethany.” Rachel smiled through gritted teeth.

“Right. You didn’t mean me.”

Rachel didn’t answer her, but continued, “Adam, I was thinking we could split a pizza at Ralph’s. I’ve been craving one full of sausage and mushrooms all day.”

Wow. And there it was. Rachel was reenacting how she’d asked him out on their first date. Words that Bethany had supplied her with that night on the football field. Words that led to their eventual coupling.

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