Page 48 of The Clause in Christmas
“I used to rollerblade. Which is basically the same thing.”
“I admire your confidence,” Luke said with a laugh.
Once they laced up their skates, Cassie hobbled toward the edge of the rink, close behind Luke. She noticed his furtive glances over one shoulder, as though he were ready to catch her at any moment. “I’m fine,” she assured him. “These skates are easy to balance on.”
He didn’t look convinced, grasping the railing while offering Cassie his free hand. “It’s slippery on the ice.”
Out on the rink, Ben caught sight of them and hollered, “Uncle Luke! Cassie!” He waved as he zipped past, the fringe of his scarf fluttering behind him like a cape.
“My goodness, he’s fast!” Cassie said in awe.
“He’s been skating since birth,” Eliza said, skidding to a stop. “Have you been ice skating before?”
“She’s rollerbladed,” Luke offered, joining Eliza on the ice. He made the transition from dry land look effortless.
“I see.” Eliza smirked. “This should be fun, then.”
Cassie’s bottom lip puckered as she eased herself across the divide. “I don’t know what you’re both so worried about.” She pushed off the wall, smoothly sailing a few feet before slowing to a stop. “See? I’m fi—” Her balance faltered, along with her words. Arms flailing fruitlessly, she plopped—bottom first—onto the cold, hard ice.
In an instant, both Luke and Eliza were by Cassie’s side, lifting her back on her feet.
“You were saying?” Eliza teased.
“Ha-ha,” Cassie mumbled, wiping the flecks of shaved ice from her gloves. But she couldn’t help a laugh at herself. “Okay, so it’s harder than it looks.”
“Are you okay?” Luke asked, steadying her with one arm around her waist.
Cassie nodded. “Yes. And I’m determined to learn, no matter how many times I fall.”
“That’s the spirit!” Eliza cheered, patting Cassie’s shoulder. “I’ll leave you in Luke’s capable hands while I go check on Ben. He’s probably looped past us a dozen times by now.”
Eliza flashed a wink at Luke before she sped off. But when Cassie glanced up to see if he noticed, she found him staring at her with a spine-tingling expression. And if she hadn’t been holding on to his arm, she would have toppled over a second time.
* * *
Luke marveled at the events of the evening thus far. Except for the double date, the night mirrored Arthur and Dolores’s meet-cute right down to Cassie falling on her backside. And then, those incredible words of determination spilled from her lips, reminding him—for the millionth time—why he’d fallen hopelessly in love with her.
“Should we try that again?” Cassie asked, steadying herself on his arm.
Luke suppressed the urge to confess his feelings right then and there. “Absolutely. We’ll start slow, almost like a shuffle. Then we’ll transition to a gentle glide. Sound good?”
Cassie nodded, tucking her arm through his, gripping it tightly.
Luke smiled, savoring her nearness and the scent of her perfume, which had become a fragrance that was at once familiar and alluring.
As Luke guided Cassie around the rink, he did his best to remain present in the moment. But his thoughts kept drifting to when and where he would make his move. Definitely not on the crowded ice. Somehow, he’d have to steal her away to somewhere more private. If only he could—
“Luke, look out!”
Startled, Luke glanced up to see a child paused in the middle of their path. Swerving quickly, Luke dragged Cassie with him. They swayed and staggered for several seconds, struggling to remain upright. When they finally stopped teetering, Cassie’s hands were draped around Luke’s neck while he grasped her waist.
Suddenly, it didn’t matter that dozens of people swirled around them, their skates swishing across the ice. Even the cacophony of their shouts and laughter faded into the background.
To Luke, Cassie was the only other person in existence.
Brushing a loose curl from her cheek, he let his touch linger, and her sharp intake of breath sent ripples of heat through his body.
As he searched her face looking for a sign, her eyelashes fluttered and her lips parted ever so slightly.
