Chapter 31
Chapter Thirty-One
EVIE
I stretched and came to with a sleepy sigh, aware of the cold, empty space beside me. Funny how quickly I’d gotten used to Noah being there. I vaguely remembered the quiet snick of the lock behind him when he went out earlier to go training. I sighed again.
I swung my legs over the side of the bed, telling myself I needed to stop thinking like this.
We were having fun. I didn’t want it to be any more than that.
I caught my lip between my teeth, ignoring how my feelings were starting to take root, like tiny weeds winding their tenacious way through the cracks in the pavement. I couldn’t get used to this.
But when I heard the door open, my pulse gave a little kick and I couldn’t help the broad smile that spread across my face at the sight of Noah, his hair damp with sweat, his chin dotted with peppercorn bristles and his T-shirt plastered to his body.
‘Morning,’ he said, looking pleased with himself.
‘Morning,’ I said huskily, just drinking him in.
He smiled at me, his eyes soft and warm, and I smiled back, a little dopey with love. I needed to get a grip. ‘Good run?’ I asked, suddenly bright, trying to be a lot less sappy.
‘Yeah,’ he gave me a slow appraisal, ‘but no sexy ice skaters this morning.’
‘Shame.’
‘I’m going to get straight in the shower.’ He paused, giving me a candid look. ‘Coming?’
‘Why not?’ I hopped out of bed and sauntered towards the bathroom enjoying the sultry admiration in his eyes as he watched me.
Just by the door, he snatched me up and gave me a quick kiss before he began peeling off his clothes.
One of the joys of having a suite was the superior-sized shower with plenty of room for two, as we’d already discovered over the last couple of days.
‘I love your hair,’ murmured Noah a little while later, as he massaged shampoo into my scalp, his strong fingers delving into my curls.
‘Mmm,’ was all I could say, looking up at him from half-closed eyes, my hands wrapped around his waist to anchor myself as the water cascaded down over our slick bodies.
‘We could go back to bed,’ he whispered, rinsing the bubbles from my hair.
‘We could, except we’re supposed to be at the Rockefeller Center in half an hour.’
‘I’m sure they won’t mind if we’re a bit late.’
I laughed. ‘No. This is the big one. I get to skate in front of that golden statue like in all the movies.’ The name escaped me all of a sudden.
‘It’s a real big deal for you, isn’t it?’
‘It is and it would be great if you could be my clumsy partner and make my Serendipity dreams come true.’
‘You know I can’t skate, right.’
‘That’s the whole point. We’re recreating an iconic scene. Followers will love it.’
He grumbled a little as we vacated the shower and started to dress.
I waited until his back was turned and then pulled on my ridiculously expensive but also ridiculously cute Santa dress.
‘Do you think—? Whoa! That’s … a dress.’ His enthusiastic gaze skimmed down my legs.
‘Like it?’ I did a little twirl so that the faux-fur-trimmed skirt flared out.
‘I like it. Although I like what’s in it better.’
‘Nice answer. Smooth.’
He tugged at the cuffs of his sweatshirt. ‘I like to think so.’
‘There’s a hat, too.’ I pulled on the little white fur pillbox hat.
It was totally over the top, but I loved every last inch of it.
It was a homage to every New York Christmas movie ever, and today was my big moment.
The one I’d dreamed off for a very long time.
I hoped my mum would be looking down and watching.
‘Come on,’ I said and tugged Noah’s hand. He already had a coat over his arm and his scarf, hat and gloves in his hand.
‘I wonder where the tree comes from,’ I mused as we went down in the lift. ‘The one in Trafalgar Square in London is always sent by the Norwegians.’
‘I know the answer to that one,’ said Noah. ‘The head gardener at the Rockefeller Center goes out and chooses one each year and afterwards the wood is donated to Habitat for Humanity which helps families build and improve homes all over the country and in others.’
‘I love that it doesn’t go to waste,’ I said. ‘That’s brilliant.’
‘You should see the crowds on the day the lights go on, it’s a huge draw. The most iconic Christmas tree in the city. It was always the first thing my sister and I wanted to see when we came into the city.’
‘Morning, Danny,’ I called to the doorman, our feet crunching on the well-salted steps.
The snow had turned slushy at the edges of the road, spotted with grey, although the sun caught at the crystals of the heavy overnight frost, making the nearby branches of the trees glitter in the morning light.
‘Morning, Evie.’ He tilted his hat. ‘I’m sure looking forward to your party.’ His smile lit up his face. ‘Everyone is. It’s real good of you to think of us.’
I batted the comment away with my hand. ‘It’s nothing,’ I said. Why wouldn’t I invite all these lovely people who’d been so kind to me?
‘You’re a good girl, Evie,’ he said.
‘Not really.’ As I shrugged, I caught Noah’s quick smile. ‘We’re off to the Rockefeller Center.’
‘Have a nice day,’ he said and caught sight of Mrs Evans clutching Monty in her arms. ‘Taxi, Mrs E? Pumped-Up Pups?’
‘Yes, please, darling. And then on to the AIRE Ancient Baths. I’m in need of a spa today.’
‘Excellent.’ He called over a cab and escorted the older woman to the car, opening the door for her.
‘It’s starting to feel like home,’ I said with a spring in my step as Noah and I walked the now very familiar route down Fifth Avenue, the pavements completely clear of snow.
* * *
The Christmas tree was, as promised, iconic.
It towered over us, at least seventy-feet high.
The head gardener had chosen well; it was broad and bushy, epitomising the perfect Christmas-tree shape.
On top the Swarovski crystal star glistened against the brilliant blue sky.
I took a moment and stared up at it, dazzled by the glittering lights interwoven through the needle-clad branches reaching out, as if waiting to embrace those around it.
A broad smile spread across my face. It was another pinch-me moment.
I was really here. In New York. Just like Mum and I had dreamed about.
Except when we’d talked about it, it was in a future where Mum was better and I had gone on to lead my dream life.
The thought punched into my head like a train hitting the buffers.
Mum might have died but I hadn’t really moved on, not emotionally.
Physically I kept moving all the time, so nothing would stick, so I didn’t care too much about anything.
Except I was starting to care about Noah.
I cast a discreet glance his way and he smiled at me, those blue eyes meeting mine.
My heart ballooned in my chest. Who was I kidding?
I wasn’t halfway in love with him; I was all the way and more.
Noah’s phone rang and he waved his hand before it went to his pocket to get it out.
‘Nope! There’s no time for that. If we don’t get down to the ice rink now, it’ll get too busy to get any decent pictures.’
‘Decent pictures of you?’ teased Noah. ‘I’m not sure I want evidence of my Bambi on Ice performance. The guys on the team will razz me.’
‘I’ll hold you up,’ I promised and kissed him on the mouth, smiling up at him.
We walked down to the rink and hired a pair of skates for Noah. I laced on my own and put my hat on.
‘You look like you could dance in those things,’ said Noah, rising to his feet and clumping awkwardly to the barrier.
‘Just practice,’ I said with one of the quick shrugs that I was rapidly becoming much more aware of.
‘A lot of practice.’ He smiled and lifted my chin with one hand before tapping my lips. ‘Don’t sell yourself short. It takes dedication and commitment to build up any skill. I’m not the best player in the world, I just worked real hard at it.’
I smiled at him and squeezed his hand. He had a way of noticing and saying things about me that made me proud of myself. He had my back.
‘Why don’t you get on the ice first and do your twirly stuff in front of Prometheus and I’ll get some footage? Then you can drag me round with you like I’m a shuffly old man,’ suggested Noah.
‘Okay,’ I said. ‘But you’re not getting out of this.’
‘Wouldn’t dream of it.’
I gave him a quick wave and stepped out onto the ice.
I pushed off, skating around the rink, revelling in the wonderful feeling.
There was nothing quite like the easy smooth free glide across the glassy surface.
Skating one slow circuit, I acclimatised, getting used to the frigid temperature as cold air swirled around my legs.
The ice was fresh and clean, easy to skate on.
In my happy place, I increased my speed, the wind streaking through my hair and my skirt whipping up.
It didn’t take long for me to warm up, the heat of my cheeks a stark contrast to the chilled air around me.
Totally relaxed, I moved towards the centre, flipped backwards and skated in sinuous curves.
A couple of people stopped to watch and so I prepared with a few turns and then completed a toe-loop jump, landing perfectly on one leg and gliding along in an arabesque.
When I glanced over at Noah, he was holding up his phone in hand, and with the other he gave me a thumbs-up.
I skated over to see him.
‘Your turn now,’ I said, holding out a hand.
‘Be gentle with me,’ he said, cautiously stepping onto the ice.
‘I won’t let anything happen to you, although do you want to give me your phone. You don’t want to smash it on the ice.’
‘Great, thank you, although I wasn’t worried about my phone. I’m more worried about smashing my bones.’
‘We’ll take it nice and slowly. I won’t leave you. Nothing’s going to happen to you.’
‘This probably isn’t a good idea.’
I patted his arm. ‘You’ll be fine. Stop being a big wuss.’
‘Who are you calling a wuss?’ he growled and reached for me, almost falling over. I caught him quickly before he overbalanced and kissed him hard on the mouth.
‘You’re going to be fine.’
‘If you keep kissing me, I’m sure I will be.’
I grinned at him. ‘We’re going to have a great time. Now let’s skate.’