Chapter 37
THIRTY-SEVEN
Chiara and Leo are making out beside me as I stand in front of the ice rink, marveling at everyone having a blast skating.
I hope I don’t look like that while kissing Josh. But Josh’s tongue is not all over my face like Leo’s is with Chiara, so we should be fine.
“Kitten!” I hear Clay yell and turn to see him walking up to us, holding hands with Xander, Sophia, and Josh following behind them.
“Did you have to wait long?” Xander asks, but I shake my head.
“We just got here too,” I say. “Guys, this is Chiara, my little sister, and her boyfriend, Leo.” I introduce. “Chiara, these are my…” I hesitate a second before saying, “… friends, Sophia and Xander. You already know Clay and—”
Josh walks over to Chiara and extends his hand to shake hers. “Hey, Chiara, it’s great to see you again. I don’t think I introduced myself properly last time. I’m Josh, Carolina’s boyfriend.”
My eyes widen almost as much as Chiara’s do.
“Boyfriend?” she questions while shaking Josh’s hand, and I feel myself blushing. She lets go of his hand and turns to Leo, whispering loudly, “He’s way too hot for her.”
“Hey! Hush. Your sister is just as hot as him, and at least she is respectful enough not to fuck him in your bed,” Clay snaps, tone angry.
“You told him?” Chiara’s tone is shrill.
“What?” Josh looks from Clay to me.
“Let’s go before all the skates are gone,” Xander offers, nudging Clay to lead the way.
Leo grabs Chiara’s hand and pulls her along, with Sophia giggling as she follows. Josh takes my hand to join them, and I look up at him, asking, “Boyfriend, huh?”
His dimples appear as he smiles down at me, and my stomach flutters.
“I thought that was pretty obvious,” he says.
“Well, no, I’ve never had a boyfriend, so I don’t know how all this works,” I admit as we reach a sort of bleacher where Sophia and Chiara sit, so I take a seat too.
Josh asks, “What’s your shoe size?” as he adjusts his beanie I’m wearing.
“Five and a half,” I say.
“You’re adorable,” he says, giving me a quick kiss on the lips before heading over to the entry stand with Leo, Clay, and Xander to pay and rent skates.
Chiara speaks up from beside me, “You could have told me you have a boyfriend now, Lina.”
“I would have if I had known.” I shrug, making Sophia laugh.
“Lina? That is cute. Can I call you that too?” she asks.
“Sure.” I smile at her.
The boys return from the rental station, and Josh hands Sophia her skates before coming over to me. He sets down his and my skates on the ground, then hands me a folded note and a pen. I give him a curious look, but he just smiles.
I unfold the note and read the words, “Will you be my girlfriend?” Below it are three checkboxes with Yes, No, and Maybe written above them.
My heart races as I look at him. He’s on one knee in front of me, and my eyes start tearing up. I always wanted someone to ask me like this when I was younger, but I was always left out. And now, this kind and wonderful man is giving me exactly what I’ve always longed for.
I take the pen and make an X under Yes, look back at him, and he smiles brightly, leaning in to give me a gentle kiss. He whispers against my lips, “My Carolina.”
Josh stands, handing me my skates, and sits beside me to put on his. I try to get my feet into the skates, but it’s a bit challenging. “How hard do I have to pull them?” I ask, feeling unsure.
“Wait, let me help,” he offers, kneeling in front of me again. He binds my skates for me, and as he finishes, he lets his hand slide up from my calf to my thigh.
“Are they feeling okay? Do they hurt?” he asks.
“They’re perfect. Thank you,” I say.
“Why aren’t you that cute?” Chiara pouts at Leo.
“Come on, doll,” he says, pulling her to her feet and onto the ice rink.
“Please, never call me doll,” I whisper to Josh as he helps me stand.
“Never.” He vows, taking my hand and helping me over to the rink.
The first thing she does is almost fall on her perfect ass as her feet slip out from under her. I quickly grip her under her arms and pull her close, ensuring she stays steady until she stands straight again, and we both chuckle.
“Off to a great start,” she mutters.
“I’ve got you,” I whisper reassuringly.
“That looks much easier than it is,” she admits, sounding a bit embarrassed.
“That’s true, but don’t worry, we’ll have you gliding around here like a little ice princess in no time,” I tease.
“More like an ice clown.” She huffs.
I guide her around the rink, holding her hand securely in mine. She wobbles and has my hand in a vice grip, but I can’t help but smile as I watch her determination.
“You’re doing great,” I encourage.
She looks up at me, and I can see a softness in her gaze. “That’s not true, but you’re cute. Thank you.”
I pull her to a halt on the side of the rink and close to me.
Her hands go up around my neck, and I hold her hips.
“I have the most beautiful girlfriend,” I say, kissing her.
Her lips are so soft but cold, and I squeeze her hips, loving the feel of her.
When I break the kiss, I gaze into those golden eyes.
“Thank you for reminding me what butterflies feel like.”
Her cheeks turn a lovely shade of pink. Just then, some kids rush past us fast on the ice, and to protect her, I turn her away from them. But in doing so, she loses her balance and swivels so hard that I start wobbling too, and we both end up falling on our asses.
A sharp pain shoots through me, and I see her face scrunched up in pain too. She rubs her forearm. “Ouch,” she says.
“You okay?” I ask.
She laughs and says, “Why do I always land on my ass in front of you? I swear I’m not that clumsy.”
Xander glides over and gives me a disapproving look. “How can she enjoy this if you let her fall?”
“I didn’t let her fall. We both fell,” I argue.
Xander quickly puts his hands under her arms and lifts her back up to her feet before he pats her ass to get rid of the snow on her jeans. She looks up at him with wide eyes, and I clench my jaw.
“I’ll show you how ice-skating really feels and why it’s fun,” he says and starts skating while holding her under her arms, basically sliding her over the ice. She squeals with excitement, a sound I’ve never heard from her before.
“Hey, Joshy, need a hand?” Sophia asks as she glides over to me.
“Nope,” I snap, getting up and dusting off my jeans. “I wanted this to be a romantic date,” I say, a bit annoyed.
She snickers. “Well, you’d have to come here with her alone for it to be romantic.”
“True,” I agree, then start skating slowly with Sophia.
“Xander!” She squeals as I push her in front of me, holding her tightly so I can keep her from falling on the ice even if she somehow trips. Falling on ice can be dangerous, and Josh risking her does not sit well with me.
“You’re like one of those plastic penguins kids use to hold onto when they’re learning to skate. So damn small,” I say.
“Why didn’t I get one of those, by the way?” she asks.
“I thought you told Clay you’re not twelve anymore,” I counter.
“You heard that?” she asks.
“Sure did.” I snicker.
“I’m sorry,” she says, the humor in her voice gone.
“Why?” I ask.
“I know it could come across wrong, but I swear I am not flirting with your boyfriend. I know he is with you and gay, it’s just—”
I smirk to myself. Oh, he is going to love that.
“It’s just that you guys are great friends, and the banter is fun. You found someone you can let loose with. I get that. Clay needed someone on his wavelength. I love that for both of you,” I say.
I stop and turn her around, my hold on her never wavering.
“You’re on my wavelength too. I don’t know what it is, but you make me feel calm and safe,” she says.
Does she want me too? No, she is not that stupid.
I gaze at her, and she starts to fidget. “Did I just say that out loud? Ugh, all this opening up lately is not good for my bad-bitch reputation,” she says, trying to brush it off.
“You don’t have to pretend with me, Carolina. Say what you want to or don’t. I get it. Because you are right. I feel it too.”