Chapter Nineteen Laney
CHAPTER NINETEEN
LANEY
Can I take the blindfold off now?” I asked on Monday night—our date night. The weekend flew by with holiday activities with my parents, so this night was for us.
Connor chuckled and rubbed a reassuring hand down my arm, squeezing my wrist three times. “Nope. You know this place too well so it’s more of a challenge to surprise you. Blindfolding was the only way.”
“When I agreed to dating this month, kidnapping wasn’t on the list.”
“So funny, so clever.”
He made a left turn for a bit, then right. If I tried paying attention the entire drive, I could possibly figure out where we were going, but I was too nervous. Butterflies fluttered deep in my gut. “Almost there, Laney.”
He changed the music to one of my favorite holiday songs and patted my knee, humming along in his deep tone.
Maybe it was the fact that one of my senses was blocked, but I really took in the moment.
The way Connor’s cologne smelled spicy, the way he kept finding small ways to touch me, and the fact he’d planned whatever tonight’s surprise was.
It showed he was listening to me. That he’d truly heard me when I said I didn’t want gifts.
I wanted time together, that was it. It was almost like we’d tossed his work stuff aside and were focusing on us—which was the entire point of this month.
“This isn’t something extravagant, right?” I asked, cracking my knuckles on my left hand.
“Nope.”
“And I’ll enjoy it?”
“Yup.” He lifted my tense fingers and kissed the back of them, the scruff of his beard contrasting with the softness of his lips. My heart skipped a beat at the gesture, and my breathing picked up.
I turned into a puddle when Connor was sweet. A complete puddle.
The car stopped, and he undid his seat belt. “I’ll come and get you. Stay put, beautiful.”
Heat tickled my face from his compliment. It was strange to be with him for so long but still feel giddy. What about when he finds out you’re pregnant? I shoved the voice away. Tonight was about him and me, and that was it.
“Alright, I did my best for tonight,” Connor said, undoing my seat belt and gently kissing my temple. “We only get it for ourselves for twenty minutes.”
“Get what?” I stood on asphalt and dug my toes in. Sounds of laughter and smells of fire and cinnamon and hot chocolate were around us. “Okay, we’re in the center of town.”
“Correct.” Connor guided us for a minute, the asphalt shifting to a smoother surface after a few steps. “Shit, okay, I suddenly got nervous.”
“Connor,” I said, reaching around until my hands landed on his chest. I smoothed them over his heart and then over his shoulders. “This could be the worst idea you’ve ever had, but I already love it.”
“Pretty sure the worst idea I ever had was that year I thought we could wing a vacation.”
I snorted. “Oh, that remains the top spot. We slept in that shared hotel room, and the bathroom was disgusting.”
“I can’t believe we did that, but hey, thanks for reminding me.”
“Anytime.” I grinned and scooted closer to him. “I’m going to love it. Please show me.”
He sighed. Then he removed the blindfold, and I found him staring intently at me.
His jaw was tight and his eyes wide, a sure sign he was feeling hesitant.
“Okay, you’ve always said how much you loved ice skating here growing up, but we never found the time to do it the last few years.
” He swallowed and glanced over my shoulder.
“We have the rink to ourselves for twenty minutes. I want to watch you skate, baby. The town can watch you.”
My chest ached with how much I loved this. “Connor,” I said, breathless as I stared at the completely empty rink. People were everywhere, walking and enjoying the countless other holiday activities, but the rink was empty. “You did this for me?”
“For us, yes.” His voice was tight. “Do you like it?”
“This is so sweet.” My eyes watered, and I clutched my hand over my stomach. “I love that you did this, Connor. I love you.”
The relief on his face was evident, and it was like he needed that one moment of validation.
My confident, sexy husband returned. He smiled, his gray eyes crinkling on the sides as he took my hand and swung our arms in the air.
He had never once swung our arms like we were kids, and it was clear that any remaining nerves had disappeared.
This was us. Goofy, trusting, fun.
Connor led us to a bench where skates in my size were already placed. He also suddenly produced earmuffs and a bright green scarf. “Some woman named Nancy heard me making these plans and insisted I buy you a new scarf and earmuffs. Her grandma knits them, so they are all handmade.”
I sat on the bench, and he lowered to the ground, sliding off my shoes and helping me lace my skates. “How did you even plan this? Seriously?”
He winked. “I’m not revealing my sources.”
“Oh, I love a good wink.” I laughed as he finished both my skates. “I am honestly so excited right now.”
“Good.” His wide grin matched mine.
It was precious how happy we both were in this moment. Sure, it wasn’t real life, and it was just a snapshot of our month of dating, but the thought he put into this? This was all I wanted. The earmuffs and scarf? “This might be my favorite date ever.”
“Yeah?” He arched a brow as he tied his own laces, pride radiating off him. “We haven’t even skated yet.”
“Doesn’t matter. We could sit here on this bench and watch the crowd and talk about nothing, and it’d be the best.”
He stood and held out a hand, his grin both challenging and reassuring. “Our time is counting down. Skate with me, baby.”
The cold air nipped at my cheeks, but it was nothing compared to the warmth spreading through me as I glided across the ice.
This was my sanctuary, the place where I’d always felt most free as a kid.
The rink was set in the heart of town and was surrounded by snow-dusted trees strung with twinkling lights.
Booths from the holiday festival lined the perimeter, the air filled with the sweet scent of roasted chestnuts and spiced cider.
The cheerful sound of a local quartet playing carols floated across the square, which blended with the laughter of children making snow angels nearby.
I glanced over my shoulder and couldn’t help but smile at Connor, who was wobbling his way toward me, his arms flailing like a baby deer learning to walk. “You’ve got this!” I called, skating backward with ease, my legs moving in perfect rhythm.
Connor let out a laugh, half amused, half embarrassed.
“You didn’t tell me you were a pro!” he shouted, just as he nearly lost his balance again.
I reached out and caught his hand before he could fall, pulling him closer until we were both laughing.
His cheeks were pink from the cold—or maybe from the way I was looking at him.
“You’re doing great,” I teased, tugging him gently along.
The crisp air carried hints of pine and the distant crackle of a bonfire, grounding us in this perfect winter wonderland.
For a moment, the world fell away, and it was just us, the sound of skates slicing through ice and the glow of the holiday lights above.
It wasn’t just the ice that felt like home tonight—it was him.
I could see our future now, date nights like this, raising our child, joining the small-town life. I wanted it. I wanted it desperately, but the only issue in the scenario was Connor.
Could he be happy here? Or would he move here and then resent me later? My heart thudded hard against my ribs, and I rubbed the pang. I wanted to enjoy the night, not overthink everything. These were problems for later.
“Next challenge for you.” Connor skated closer to me. “I’ve been told the special-crafted hot chocolate at the booth is one of the best.”
“You mean that I will have to drink and skate at the same time?” My eyes bugged out. I felt more confident skating, but that would be too much. “Connor, no.”
“You can do it.” He smiled and kept his gaze on me. That’s when it hit me.
Connor was happier here. He didn’t have stress lines on his face or look constantly on the state of collapse. His eyes were brighter, his shoulders less tense. I wanted to convince him this place was better for him, for us.
“… pregnant?”
Hushed voices carried over the light breeze, and I snapped my attention behind me. A group of older women huddled together, all wearing various colors of green and red. They whispered, but it was loud enough to reach me.
My stomach bottomed out.
Were they talking about me?
“Drugstore… snuck out but the box was in the trash.”
Shit. That was me. My face heated. I had to get away from them.
There was no way they knew it was me. Soph didn’t tell anyone, but this small-town grapevine was the worst. You couldn’t hit a curb on the other side of town without everyone hearing about it and checking your hubcaps as you drove by. (True story.)
I didn’t want Connor to find out. I couldn’t. I had a plan.
We skated for the duration of our solo time, smiling and laughing as I skated circles around him. When he sighed, glancing at his watch, I headed toward him.
“So there is one part of the deal that I never mentioned,” he said, eyes twinkling.
“What… deal?”
“How I got the rink for twenty minutes on a busy night before Christmas.” He grinned, a playful glee coming off him. “I’ll show you. Come on, wife.”