I nod. “I used to.”
“We can do that later.”
I shake my head. “You’re crazy. The streets are snow-covered. If I don’t break my neck on this rink, I’ll definitely break it on a bike.”
“Where’s your sense of adventure?”
“You have enough for the two of us,” I say, as some young kid speed skates past us, leaving us in his dust. “I hate that kid,” I say and laugh.
Brody laughs with me. “Future NHL star in the making right there, my friend.” I smile, happy that Brody and I are friends.
I want more…
Oh boy.
“Brody,” Declan calls from the other side of the rink, a group of kids around him. “How about a pick-up game?” He glances at me, his eyes questioning.
“While I appreciate you not wanting to leave me alone to face plant, go play. I’m going to get a hot chocolate and introduce my backside to that bench right there.”
He laughs, and it’s so contagious that I laugh with him. Before I even realize what’s happening, he bends and puts his lips on mine. His mouth is cold at first, but it doesn’t take long for it to warm up as he deepens the kiss. I stand there, immobilized, unable to think or breathe, aware of our public display of affection, and the attention it’s garnering. He finally breaks the kiss and backs up.
“What was that for?” I ask, my voice a low, breathless whisper. At least with all my layers on, he can’t see the chain reactions going on in my body.
He looks past my shoulders, a grin toying with the corners of his mouth. “I thought I saw Patrick.”
I glance over my shoulder. “I don’t see him.”
“That man is like Houdini, one minute he’s there, the next he’s gone.”
“Uh, huh,” I say, and he gives me a sexy grin as he skates away, backward, putting my wobbly efforts to shame. My lips continue to tingle as I glide to the boards. I search the crowd again, even though I know Patrick is nowhere to be found. Brody kissed me because he wanted to. My insides flutter, and while the kiss was a surprise, I can’t deny it was a welcome one. I make my way to the pop-up hot chocolate stand and g
et a drink, with extra marshmallows, of course.
I plop down onto one of the benches and sip as I scan the rink, catching sight of Declan and Brody set up on one end, playing hockey with a group of kids of all ages. Brody takes a shot, even though he plays defense in the NHL, and the puck goes into the net. He throws his hands up.
“I have no equal,” he says, and Declan grabs him and puts him into a headlock, encouraging the kids to rub their knuckles over his head. Laughter fills the air and my insides squeeze, loving his antics, and how much the kids love him for them. My ovaries clench, the old biological clock ticking, when he picks up one of the smaller kids and starts skating toward the net, like he’s going to use him for a puck. The other kids chase him down, and I can’t help but laugh.
“Mind if I sit here?”
I glance up to find Nikki standing there, a hot chocolate in her hand. I don’t know her well, other than she’s a hair stylist at Chatters, where gossip truly runs rampant. She’s come into the store a few times, and she’s always pleasant and sweet. I tap the bench.
“I’d love the company.”
She sits next to me, and we both go quiet as we watch the excitement on the ice. “So, you and Brody, huh?” she says breaking the silence.
“It’s not what you think,” I say, my voice low, not wanting anyone around us to overhear. “He’s just helping me out with something.”
She chuckles. “I heard he’s working with Mabel.” There’s a gleam in her eye that says she knows more is going on, but I appreciate her not pushing it. People are going to think what they want, and we fed the rumor mill with that kiss. “It’s nice to see you with someone, Josie.” Her voice is full of kindness and sincerity. “From what Declan says, Brody is one of the good guys.”
I nod in agreement and warmth spreads through my chest. He is one of the good guys. Even Miss Mabel thinks so. “He’s got quite the reputation, though. You know, as a sweet talker.”
She laughs, and her big blue eyes glisten. “I think it’s just going to take the right woman for him to settle down.”
“What about Declan?” I ask. Brody mentioned something about Declan spending time with his girl, Nikki. “Are you two a couple?”
She gives a humorless chuckle. “He’s known as the heartbreaker, Josie.” She takes a sip of her drink and stares straight ahead. “We’re just friends. We go way back.”
I get the sense she might want more, but go quiet. If she doesn’t want to talk about it, I’m not going to say anything.