Page 31 of Lost on Ice
Pointing, I ask, “Soph, did you do that to Chase? I don’t know how the poor kid can even move.”
Sophie’s cheeks go pink and she mumbles, “Okay, so maybe I have been a little overprotective.” She raises her voice and points at me. “You just wait! Lilah will be ready to get on the ice in less than a year. You’ll know then just how terrifying seeing them out there can be!”
Oh, shit… just thinking about Lilah trying to stay upright on a pair of skates while other kids who don’t know what they’re doing slip and slide around her does kind of freak me out.
“Okay.” I nod. “I see your point.”
“Mommy!” Lilah starts pointing excitedly at the skaters. “Mommy! Skate! Skate!”
“Yes, baby.” I grab her and pull her onto my lap. “Do you want to skate when you’re bigger?”
“Yes! I skate!”
A shadow suddenly falls over us, and I look up with a start to find that Jake has skated to the side of the rink and is standing before us. I stiffen. Damn it, I was really hoping he’d stay on the ice while we were here, but it looks like the class is coming toan end. Carter and Chase are still out on the ice, getting in a few more minutes of skate time.
“Hey,” he says in an awkward tone. “How’s it going?”
I stare at him in stunned silence for a moment before I manage to choke out, “Uh, hey. Good. It’s going good.”
My brain seems to completely shut down as I gaze up at him. It doesn’t help that he looks so damn good in a Boston hoodie and dark jeans. His hair is a little messy, giving him a more relaxed, casual look. Reminds me of what he was like in high school — effortlessly cool and gorgeous.
I need to say something more to him. Need to figure out how to explain Lilah and her blue eyes so that he doesn’t get suspicious. Before I can come up with a word, though, Lilah jumps off my lap and runs to the boards to gaze up at Jake with her big smile.
“Hi!” she cries out, then pats her own chest. “Lilah!”
Jake gazes down at her with raised brows, but then softly smiles. “Uh… hi, Lilah. I’m Jake.”
I feel like my heart is going to burst out of my chest. This is a nightmare. Does he recognize himself in her? Her blonde hair and blue eyes, mixed with my freckles?
He meets my gaze and I can see the question in his eyes that he really wants to ask, but instead of“Is she mine?”what comes out is, “Is she yours? She looks like you.”
Anger flares inside me. “Obviously.”
This takes him aback. “And, uh, her dad…?”
Suddenly, Lilah lets out an excited laugh and points toward Chase.
“Chase!” she cries excitedly. “Chase skate! Skate!”
Swallowing, I jerk my gaze from Jake and focus on Lilah. “That’s right, sweety. Chase is skating.”
“Abbie, have you met the new doctor yet?” Sophie asks me, changing the subject, but I’m so distracted by Jake’s presence that I can only mumble out one word. “Yeah.”
I jerk my gaze from Jake and try not to look his way even though I can practically feel him drilling holes into my head with his eyes. He wants to say something. I can tell, but I’m praying he doesn’t. Praying he doesn’t interrogate me right here and now.
Thankfully, before he can say anything, I spot three figures rushing toward us past the check-in desk and skate rentals, coming from the direction of the other rink where the older kids are working with Tom. Jordan, Theo, and Bodhi hurry into the bench area and come to stumbling stops in front of Jake, looking up at him with wide, excited eyes.
Jordan is practically bouncing with energy, his blue eyes shining and sandy brown hair flopping on his head. “Jake! Jake, you have a game tonight, right? You’re going to kill it!”
Jake chuckles. “Thanks, buddy. I’ll do my best.”
“Will you come back here after?” Theo asks, unable to hide his hopefulness as he shoves his black hair out of his eyes, the green swirling with awe like he’s staring up at a superhero. “Will you come back and show us some more hockey moves?”
Bodhi nods, clearly excited as well, but he’s more guarded and cautious as he blushes and murmurs, “I’ve been working on my slap shot. I think I’m getting good.” He scratches at his white-blonde hair, the pink on his cheeks stark against his pale skin.
“I’m sure you are,” Jake agrees.
“You’re welcome to help out around here any time,” a loud voice declares.
