If I’m not mistaken, there might be a slight smile creeping over her face. I’m trying to keep my eyes facing forward, but I’m definitely sneaking glances at her.
I open the door to the ice skating rink and hear a slight gasp from her. She turns, and places her arms around my waist.
“How’d you know I love ice skating?”
“I didn’t, but am surely thanking my quick thinking for bringing you here.”
After paying the rental fee, we both hurry to get our skates on. Holding her hand, we step out onto the ice and start gliding. Yvie lets go of my hand and skates away. She turns to face me, skating backwards like a pro.
“Wow, and here I thought I’d get to hold your hand the entire time,” I say as she circles me.
“I try to do this once a week. Oliver doesn’t like it, but I don’t care.”
“Your ex?” I ask, quickly regretting my question. Harrison told his name in confidence and my big mouth likely just ruined everything.
Yvie slows down in front of me, setting her hands on my chest to stop me. “He’s my producer, and yes, he’s also my ex. I broke up with him because I’m not sure about my life right now. He wants one thing, and I’m not sure I want that with him. I also want to make it on my own. I don’t want to get a lead because of who my boyfriend is, ya know?”
No, not really. “Yeah, I get it.”
“You weren’t a rebound or anything like that. I don’t even want to say you were a one-night stand because that’s not why I went to the gym.”
“Why did you go?” I ask only because I need to know even if this is the last place I wanted to have this conversation.
“I felt something the first day we met, and I know it’s stupid, but I just had to know. I just went about it the wrong way.”
I nod, and set my hands on her hips. “And do you?”
Before she can answer, a young punk skates by us, clipping me on the shoulder. My feet start to slip out, and all I can see is the roof as I start to fall. Yvie comes with me because in my moment of gracefulness, I forget to let her go.
We land with a thump, and the cold instantly chills me. Yvie laughs, and I quickly follow suit.
“Sorry, I should’ve let you go.”
“I’m not,” she replies, as she brushes her lips against mine. I don’t let her pull away as I set my hand on the back of her head and hold her to my mouth. We shouldn’t be doing this, but I don’t want to stop. When her tongue tangles with mine, and her fingers push into my hair, I’m done for. She’s worth getting to know, even if it means it’s over in a week.
Baby giggles are the best. This I’ve just learned after listening to Eden laugh. All the kids are so well behaved with her, making her laugh and feel like she’s a big girl, even though she’s just over a year old. She chases them from the living room and into the dining room and the back again, and she’s laughing the entire time. Each time they come back into the living room, Eden falls into Jimmy’s arms. He holds her for a moment before he encourages her to get them. Then it starts all over again.
I find myself watching and waiting for their return, laughing with them. Eden is adorable with her dark, curly hair and chubby cheeks. She loves everyone, but the minute she sees her mom or dad in the room, her eyes light up.
Jenna comes into the living ro
om with a squealing Eden in her arms. She sets her down, only for Eden to waddle-run back to wherever the other kids are.
“She’s gorgeous, Jenna.”
“Thanks! She’s a handful, that’s for sure. She’s all Jimmy and has him completely wrapped around her finger.”
“Quinn was the same way with Harrison. It’s not hard when they’re so innocent, and you can’t help but fall in love with them.”
This time it’s Jimmy that walks in with Eden in his arms. She’s patting his cheeks and saying “Daddy”. I’ve known Jimmy for a long time, and it’s hard to think that he almost wasn’t here to see his daughter come into the world. The guys have always dealt with overzealous fans, but only in the form of women. I’ve witnessed far too many women throwing themselves at the guys, but never have they had a problem with a man until Jenna’s ex wanted her back.
Jenna takes a squirming Eden from Jimmy’s hands, and she tries to push Jimmy away from Jenna when he goes to kiss her. It’s cute how possessive she is.
“When are you going to get up the duff?”
The slap and “ouch” that quickly follows comes as a result of Jenna slapping Jimmy. “What, Sweet Lips? It’s a valid question.”
“It’s rude, Jimmy. Not everyone wants kids, ya know. You didn’t.”