Page 43 of Savoring Christmas
Before Logan could even think of an excuse, Mia’s eyes lit up. “It’s been years since I skated.”
“You skate?” Logan asked, surprised.
She smiled, a little mischievously. “Rockefeller Center, every Christmas I could manage the crowds and the tourist prices. Central Park when I needed somewhere quieter.”
He could imagine her in the city, looking beautiful as she spun around the ice. “Well then, you’re definitely coming out there with me.”
They traded boots for skates at the rental counter and the clerk agreed to keep watch over their toy store purchases.
“What about Cannoli?” Logan asked. “Should we tie her up right here so she can watch?”
“Oh no. She’s coming with us.” Mia tucked the dog under her arm, who peered out like she wanted to be part of the fun, her small ears twitching at the sharp bite of winter air.
As they stepped onto the ice, Charlie glided over to greet them. “Hey, guys. How’s class going?”
“It’s been really fun,” Mia said.
“Super fun,” Logan said. “But I’m not sure anything I make is ever going to be edible.”
“Good for you for trying, though,” Charlie said. “Even though I scolded my husband for tricking you with that last trivia question.”
“Turns out, it’s the best thing that’s happened to me in a long time,” Logan said, with a glance down at Mia.
“For me too,” Mia said.
“Will I see you at the cookie decorating party?” Charlie asked.
“We’ll be there,” Logan said.
“I’m looking forward to it,” Mia said.
“Okay, have fun, you two. I should get back to my troublemakers,” Charlie said, before skating away to join her family.
“Are you sure you can skate with her in your arms?” Logan asked.
“Let’s find out, shall we?” Mia stepped onto the ice, her first push confident and graceful. By her second, she’d settled into a steady rhythm, movements fluid and sure, as if skating with a dog was the most natural thing in the world.
“You weren’t kidding,” Logan said, grinning as he matched her pace.
She looked over, cheeks pink from the cold, eyes bright. “You’re not so bad yourself.”
They fell into an easy loop, skating side by side. Cannoli sat calmly in Mia’s arms, her small face poking out from the sweater, completely unfazed by the gliding motion. More than once, Logan caught the amused smiles of other skaters as they passed.
At one point, Mia shook her head, laughing softly. “I’ll be the talk of the town. The eccentric chef who skates with her dog.”
Logan laughed. “There are worse things to be known for.”
After a few more loops, Mia passed Cannoli to Logan so she could skate freer, twirling once with surprising ease. Logan followed her, enjoying watching her.
Max skated up beside him. “Look at you. All domesticated.”
Logan rolled his eyes. “Hardly.”
“You’re skating with a dog in a sweater,” Max said. “I rest my case.”
“You’re obnoxious.”
Max grinned. “Maybe. But, admit it—you’re two laps away from buying that dog her own pair of skates.”
