Page 43 of How He Got the Girl
“You’re the one who just said there were no cameras around.” I tuck one of her curls behind her ear.
Her eyes narrow. “Touché.”
“Is Mallory Porter admitting she makesmistakes?” I gasp, my tone playful.
“It’s not often, so don’t get used to it.”
“Don’t worry, your secret’s safe with me.” I smile. When she doesn’t say anything else, I let go of her and carefully maneuver my way over to the rink wall one little waddle-shimmy at a time. I grab hold of the railing and turn to shoot her an encouraging grin. “Show me what you can do, Ice Princess.”
This brings a hint of a smile to her lips. “Gladly.”
I watch her glide across the ice, making each movement look effortless. She does a series of small midair jumps and ends with a spin so quick that I don’t know how she stays on her feet once she comes to a stop. “Did you ever think about going pro? Like the Olympics or something?” I ask when she nears me.
Mallory stops with the sides of her skates, spraying me with a dusting of ice while looking pleased with herself. Ibrush off my coat, secretly happy she’s showing me some kind of emotion.
“I considered it, but we would’ve had to leave Kentucky to live near a state-of-the-art Olympic training ice arena.” She shrugs. “I never would have asked that of my family. I’m sure they would’ve done it, but they’re not my only family here.”
“Your friends,” I say with understanding.
She nods. “I couldn’t leave them. I always wanted to help kids, so studying to be a teacher became my new passion.”
I lean my elbow on the railing, attempting to look casual rather than like I’m gripping it like it’s my lifeline. “What about teaching little kids ice skating lessons on the side?”
She purses her lips. “I’ve never thought about that.”
“You’re already an amazing teacher. Hopefully, it wouldn’t be hard to combine two things you love.”
“We’ll see.” Mallory surprises me by offering a gloved hand my way. “Come on, Reynolds. Let’s get you out on the ice.”
I grip the railing, not wanting to embarrass myself in front of her. “I’m fine here watching you.”
She raises a brow. “Aren’t you the one who said there are always cameras around?”
“You’re going to use my own words against me?”
“Maybe I just want to see you fall on your face.”
“Fine, you’re asking for it.” I wrap my fingers around her glove, close my eyes, and push off the wall.
“Bend your knees to help you balance, and start with small movements.”
My left arm goes flailing as I try to regain my balance.
“You look like a flightless bird.”
“If I’m a bird, you’re a bird,” I tease, finally gaining my balance as we move at a snail’s pace around the rink.
“Is that supposed to be a play on the quote fromThe Notebook?”
“I’m in the film industry, beautiful. My life is a series of movie quotes.”
“Good to know.” Mallory gestures to our skates. “Look, you’re doing it. Apparently, you just needed a distraction.”
“Or maybe I needed a good teacher.”
She blushes under my praise. I smile down at her but quickly realize my mistake. Looking at her made my body angle slightly, causing my skate to collide with hers. We both fall to the ice, and I pull Mallory into my arms instinctively, trying to take the brunt of the fall.
I hit the ice and immediately feel shooting pain in my back and tailbone. Mallory falls on top of me with a whoosh that knocks the breath right out of me.
