Page 47 of The Clause in Christmas
With a heavy sigh, Cassie slouched against the edge of the counter. “Yeah, that’s the one thing I can’t figure out, either.”
Luke set the mug down and reached for her hand, giving it a squeeze. “Hey, if Frank’s half as smart as you say he is, he can probably tell natural talent when he sees it. I don’t even know why I asked.”
“Thanks.” Cassie waited for him to release her hand, but he didn’t move a muscle, except to apply another gentle squeeze.
His touch sent a shiver up her arm, and she slowly lifted her gaze to meet his. The heat simmering in his hazel eyes startled her, and she subconsciously parted her lips.
“Cass…” His voice barely above a whisper, Luke leaned across the counter.
Cassie didn’t dare answer—or breathe—and simply tilted her chin.
But the sharp trill of her cell phone wrenched them from the moment.
Luke’s eyes mirrored her surprise as he scanned the kitchen for the source of the interruption.
Heart hammering, Cassie yanked her phone from her back pocket. “Hello?”
“Were you running or something?” Eliza asked. “You sound all weird and breathy.”
“Uh, no. I—what is it?” Cassie mouthed,It’s Eliza, to Luke, who nodded in understanding.
Was she imagining things or did he look disappointed? Cassie turned away from his sightline, smiling to herself.
“Where are you guys?” Eliza asked. “Luke said to meet at the rink at seven thirty and Ben’s getting antsy to get out on the ice.”
“We’re leaving now,” Cassie said. “Don’t wait for us.”
“Are you sure?” Eliza sounded relieved.
“Absolutely. We’ll be there soon.” After saying goodbye, Cassie hung up the phone, suddenly conscious of the awkward undercurrent rippling across the room. “That was Eliza,” she said lamely.
“I know.” Luke smiled. “Shall we get going, then?”
“Sure.” Slipping her phone back in her pocket, Cassie grabbed her insulated thermos. Pouring the remaining coffee inside, she said, “Can’t waste stuff this good.”
“Definitely not.” Luke flashed the kind of grin that made Cassie feel a little light-headed.
While she screwed the lid on tight, the butterflies in Cassie’s stomach drifted about in a forlorn flutter, as if mourning an opportunity lost. As much as she tried to fight the longing, there wasn’t any way around the truth.
Bad idea or not, Cassie wanted Luke to kiss her.
And preferably, tonight.
* * *
Cassie adjusted the collar of her peacoat, pulling it tighter around her neck as they approached the ice rink. “It’s an actual rink.” Her breath escaped in a filmy white cloud as she rubbed her gloved hands against the cold.
Luke chuckled. “Were you expecting a frozen lake?”
“Truthfully, yes.”
“It doesn’t usually get cold enough to freeze an entire lake suitable for skating.” Luke hesitated, stealing a glance in her direction. “Are you disappointed?”
Cassie warmed at the tentative edge to his voice. “How could I be disappointed with something this beautiful?”
While not a lake, the man-made rink was nestled in the center of a field, surrounded by the neighboring forest. Snowcapped mountaintops towered in the distance, silhouetted by the silvery moon and multitude of stars. Large old-fashioned bulbs stretched above the rink, casting a shimmering glow across the ice, where skaters swirled and spun like dancers on a stage.
“Do you know how to skate?” Luke asked, standing in line at the makeshift rental booth.
