Page 41 of Hearts on Ice
“So how is it, working together after the way you ended things?”
“We’ve been able to stay professional,” he said. “Letting go of the past is important.”
“And the fact that you’ve been arriving at the rink together in the morning?”
“Why do you—?” he started to ask, but Colby interrupted.
“My car’s in the shop, and Declan’s been kind enough to give me a ride in the morning.”
The reporter’s brow furrowed briefly, like she didn’t believe that, but it had been true, up until now.
“We did want to take this opportunity,” Declan inserted. “We’ve been inundated with calls wanting us to coach some up and coming skaters. At this time I’m not taking any new students, and Colby has a list of potential students a mile long. So when she’s ready to look at new students, she’ll let you know. So thank you for not calling the rink asking for us.”
“We’ll make a note of that,” the reporter said with a touch of impatience. “Colby, how long will you be in town? Are you back to stay, or do you plan to go back to Hollywood and the small screen?”
She looked up at the name of the rink, then back at the reporter with a toss of her ponytail. “I haven’t decided yet. Being back on the ice has given me a thrill I’d forgotten. But I have to see where my career takes me.”
“And your relationship with Declan?”
Colby smiled up at him. “We’re figuring that out.”
“So are you back together then?” The young reporter’s voice was bright. “I grew up watching the two of you, and I just always thought you were so romantic. I was heartbroken when you split up.”
“Like I said.” Colby slipped her hand into Declan’s, and the reporter’s eyes widened. “We’re figuring it out.”
Declan twisted his hand in hers, and Colby thought he was pissed at her words, but she didn’t let him release her in front of the cameras. Instead she shifted her hold so his fingers were linked through hers. He made a sound in his throat, but she ignored him, leading him away from the reporter and to his truck.
He drove out of the parking lot faster than usual, before she’d even completely hooked her seatbelt. So. She was right. She hadn’t lost her ability to read him.
“Why are you mad?”
“What makes you think I’m mad?”
“Well, the fact that you practically took that turn on two wheels was a little bit of a clue.” At least they weren’t tiptoeing around each other.
“What was that show about?” His hand shot toward the window, gesturing in the direction of the rink. “I thought you were done with all that.”
“With all what?”
“Making a play like that in front of the press. I thought you were done with that.”
“That doesn’t sound like me,” she said, hoping to tease him out of his mood.
He scowled at the attempt. “We’ve been avoiding them all week. But today, after we slept together, you marched right up to them and let them think we’re back together?”
“I just gave them a tease.”
“And is that what you’re doing with me? Teasing me?”
His tone held just enough of a bite that she was taken aback, but she didn’t defend herself. “I don’t know what we’re doing. It’s literally hours old. I mean, you invited me to stay with you, so what does that mean?”
He set his teeth on edge. “I know it doesn’t mean that you get to tell the whole world. Like you said, it’s hours old. I thought we could keep this between us until we figure it out.”
She hadn’t thought of that, the extra pressure that being out in public would put on them. She didn’t even know what she wanted, and now she wouldn’t have time to think about what she wanted and the public would be weighing in.
She lifted her hand to her head. “I didn’t think about that.” She’d wanted to tease the press, to keep them interested, to keep herself relevant, but in doing so, she’d put their relationship on a lower tier.
Again.
