Page 74 of How He Got the Girl
“The sappiest,” he mutters. I’ll win him over one day. But all my attention right now is on my girl.
I nudge Mallory’s arm. “Go ahead. Open it.”
She tears the paper I not-so-expertly wrapped myself, but she doesn’t seem to notice. Her eyes are glued to what’s inside the box. She presses her fingers to her slightly parted lips, letting out a small gasp. Mallory slowly pulls out one of the light-pink ice skates. When her gaze meets mine, tears brim, though a soft smile settles on her lips.
“My own ice skates?” Her voice is higher than normal. Hearing her this happy because of something I did for her fills me with a joy like none other.
“Ones just as beautiful as you.”
“This is too much.” Mallory sets the skate back in the box, shaking her head.
“Nothing is ever too much for you.” My words are earnest. There’s truly nothing I wouldn’t do for this girl. “I’d have bought you an entire ice rink with it if I thought you’d let me.”
“Thatwould’ve been too much,” she says with a shaky laugh.
“I didn’t know you still enjoyed skating.” Angie moves to the floor to look at the skates.
“My love for it was recently reignited.” She looks at me with a wide grin.
I would give her anything she wanted just to see her smile like that again. And to know thatIwas the reason behind it.
“Let’sgoforawalk.” I look out the window in awe as snow flurries fall to the earth. It’s so serene that it almost looks fake.
“Are you crazy?” Mallory steps up beside me, wrapping her arms around her middle. “It’s freezing out.”
She came over to my rental for a quick video call with my agent. According to Karina, everything is going smoothly. People believe our relationship is real, and she’s confident that she’ll hear back with confirmation of an audition for the fantasy movie I’ve been dreaming about in the next week or so.
I run a hand through my hair, trying to come up with a reason we should go outside. “It’s barely below freezing. Don’t you think a walk through a winter wonderland sounds romantic? You could stay, and we can have our first official date.”
“I’m not dressed for a date.”
“You’re gorgeous.” I drag my eyes over her sweatpants and sweatshirt. With how cozy she looks, I’m considering throwing my snowy walk idea out the window and asking her to cuddle on the couch.
She stares at the winter landscape for a few long moments before sighing. “Fine, but only because I brought my heavy winter coat.”
I head to the coat closet and grab her dark-pink puffer jacket, holding it open as she slips her arms in. Grabbing my own coat from the closet, I pull it on over my navy long-sleeved tee. When I turn back to her, she has a bubblegum-pink beanie on with a hot-pink pom-pom on top. Her wavy brown hair is wild underneath it, shooting out like it has no desire to be contained.
I step forward, running my finger along a rogue curl. “I’m never going to get over your hair.”
“You still love my curls?” She laughs, sounding amused.
I reluctantly let go of the strand and reach into my pocket, grabbing the light-gray hat that matches my coat and pulling it on. “They’re incredible.”
“They drive me nuts, so I’m glad you like them.”
“It’s part of the Mallory starter pack.”
We both slip on our boots and walk out the front door. I lock it behind us and offer her my arm as we walk down the driveway. She takes it and, with the weight of her hand on my arm, I feel like I can conquer anything. Like I can be anyone. But right now, all I want to be is her boyfriend. A real one. One that gets to hold her anytime I want.Kissher anytime I want.
The scene fromSweet Home Alabamawith that quote plays on a loop in my head, forcing me to shove all my feelings down. I promised myself that I’d let Mallory make the first move. I’m in this for the long haul, not a short minute of satisfaction.
I focus on our surroundings, trying to calm my racing mind. There’s something about walking beside Mallory in the snowy landscape that settles my soul and makes me feellike all is right in the world. It takes me back to the night we met and our hot chocolate date. The sense of déjà vu that hits feels like sweet serendipity or a fortunate stroke of luck that we’re here together now on this cold winter day.
The snowy ground is slushy, but luckily, it doesn’t seem to have left a layer of ice behind yet. Knowing that she’s holding onto my arm because she wants to and not because she needs to in order to avoid slipping brings a smile to my lips.
“Let’s see how well you know me.” Mallory squeezes my arm, and I totally flex. No shame here. “What else do you think is in the Mallory starter pack?”
“Clothes in all shades of pink.” I smile at the obvious answer. “Seasonally flavored coffee. Your mom’s chicken and dumplings. Pink ice skates. All of Taylor Swift’s music. Friday nights with your friends. McDonald’s Dr. Pepper because you think it tastes better from their machine than from anywhere else.”
