Chapter 7 #2
When several people exited at the next stop, Kat quickly scored a couple of seats and pulled her camera from her backpack.
She handed him the digital card and watched several images load onto the screen then gasped as they came into focus.
She stared at the photos—some close-ups and others that showed the architecture and settings.
Wow. He’d captured it all perfectly. Kat’s eyes were drawn to one on the steps, a few strands of hair blowing back from her face as she looked beyond the camera.
She swallowed hard. It seemed so personal all of a sudden. He’d captured her .
“What do you think?” Nick asked. “See anything you can work with?”
She turned and met his eyes. And a wave of heat wrapped around her as if she’d snuggled deep inside a woolly blanket. The photos showed what she felt—she was comfortable around Nick. No pretense, no nerves, no fake smiles or forced poses. They were, in fact, the best photos she’d ever taken.
“Wow,” she said, finally. “You’re good at this.”
“I had exceptional material to work with.”
“They’re perfect. Thank you.” And now he was going ice skating with her? Was this too good to be true?
When they arrived at Nick’s hotel, Kat waited in the lobby while Nick checked in and changed into jeans, though she had half a mind to march to the counter and cancel his room. Their day was spinning by so fast.
She glanced up when the elevator doors opened, and Nick came into view. She sucked in her breath. It was the first time she’d seen him in jeans—and her eyes feasted. The casual look, dark jeans hugging muscular legs, was every bit as delicious as the business look.
“You ready?” he asked.
“Absolutely.” Kat could hardly sit still during the cab ride to her apartment.
“You know what?” Nick said. “I’m pumped about this. I haven’t been on the ice in a long time.”
“Same,” she told him, unable to contain a grin. She needed the exercise, wanted that exhilarating feel of the wind against her face as she glided across the ice, and now couldn’t wait to see Nick in action.
“Maybe you could spot a guy a couple of practice runs to get the feel of it again.”
“Sure. But you’ll be fine. It’s like riding a bicycle. You know, muscle memory.”
“Famous last words.”
Kat laughed as she unlocked the door to her apartment. “Let me get my skates.” She hurried to the closet and dug her skates from the depths, along with various hats and scarves.
“You have your own?”
“Uh-huh.” She turned and held up a pair of cotton-candy pink skates. “They were a Christmas gift from Nana when I was in high school.”
“Something tells me I’m about to be out ranked here.”
“Don’t worry. I had a few lessons but didn’t quite make the figure-skating championships.” She shot him a teasing grin then tossed him a heathered gray scarf that wouldn’t look too girlie tucked in the collar of his coat. “Do you have gloves?”
“Sure do. This’ll be great.”
Kat added tights under her jeans and thirty minutes later, they arrived at the skating rink. Christmas decorations still twinkled with lights, giving it a festive atmosphere. A few dozen skaters were already circling the ice. Still plenty of open space.
She took longer than necessary to get ready, lacing up the skates with deliberate perfection to allow Nick time to rent skates and hit the ice ahead of her.
“I’m feeling it,” he told her as he wobbled from the bench to the side of the rink. “It’s all coming back to me.”
With a wave, he spun onto the ice in one confident lunge.
Kat watched him weave through the other skaters, picking up speed as he came out of the turn.
Yeah, he could skate. And look good at the same time.
Her mouth dropped open when he came close to the rail in front of her, spun around and skated backward away from her.
She couldn’t help laughing at this new show-off side of him.
Nick motioned to her as he approached a second time, and Kat glided onto the ice beside him. He grabbed hold of her hand, his grip firm and sure.
“Hey, you having any fun yet?” Kat asked. The wide smile that lit his face already answered the question.
“This is pretty great. Now I like two things about New York City.”
“Two? What else?”
Nick cocked his head, smiling eyes meeting hers. “You.”
Kat managed to stay upright though her legs felt like mush, and her face flushed with heat. She appreciated the chill air against her cheeks—if they turned red, she could blame it on the cold.
Holding hands, they made several trips around the rink, swaying together at the right time. They skated about twenty minutes, completely in sync with each other, before Nick suggested a break.
“How about a hot chocolate?”
Kat nodded. “You read my mind.”
They sipped the warm drinks while they watched the action on the ice below.
This was one of Kat’s favorite spots in the city.
To her, the gathering place of people from all over, all ages, created a sense of community and made the city seem smaller and friendlier.
Maybe if Nick had a positive experience, he’d come back.
She reached into the pocket inside her coat and retrieved her cell phone. “We should get a pic.” Picture-taking wasn’t allowed on the ice, but they might be able to get the rink behind them.
Nick scooted close. “Good idea.”
As Kat snapped a couple of selfies, a woman stopped beside them. “I’d be happy to take a picture for you.”
Kat handed her the phone. “That’d be great, thanks.”
When the woman returned the phone and moved on, Nick leaned in, and Kat played back the images. “Aw, that’s cute,” she said. She’d have to examine the others more closely later.
“What do you think about dinner?” Kat asked. “There’s a good pizza place around the corner. Low key. They’ve got some good craft beers and local hard cider.”
Nick shrugged. “Sounds good to me.”
“All right then, New York style pizza it is. You ready for round two?”
They moved into the rink holding hands again. “You can go on ahead if you want to go faster,” Kat told him. She knew enough about hockey to know the players skated in hard, fast bursts, not leisurely loops.
He squeezed her hand. “This is good.”
They broke apart a few minutes later to swerve around a young boy going the opposite direction.
The abrupt movement caused Kat to lose her balance.
She let out a sharp yelp, arms flailing as she struggled to keep from falling.
Just before she connected with the ice, strong hands scooped her up and righted her again.
“Oh, my gosh.” Gasping, Kat skated toward the railing to catch her breath. She gripped the metal pole and leaned against the short wall.
“You all right?” Nick searched her face. “That was close.”
“Yes. Thanks for catching me. You saved my–” She broke into laughter. “You saved my ass. Literally.”
“Happy to save all parts from damage.” He pushed a strand of hair from her face. “You have the greatest laugh.”
She met his gaze, and the people around them disappeared. It felt as if the sparkling lights and crisp night were meant only for the two of them. Her eyes fluttered, and warm lips captured hers in a long, slow kiss—which made her doubt the stability of her legs all over again.
“That was fun.” Nick pulled back and slid an arm around her shoulders as he, too, leaned against the wall.
Kat wasn’t sure whether he meant the kiss or the skating, but she agreed either way. She’d imagined a scene like this in her daydreams, and the reality more than delivered. “That was so fun,” she said. “Thanks for coming with me.”
“Stop thanking me. I’m having a great time. You want to get back out there or ready to get some food?”
Food and a cozy corner near the fireplace at Giorgio’s sounded like a perfect way to end the evening. “I’m done,” she said. But at the same time, her heart bounced with a pang of regret.
What would done mean tonight?
* * *
All around, people were in motion, laughing, partying, enjoying a Friday night out in the city. But all Nick wanted to do was find a quiet spot to feast his eyes on his date and learn more about her. Well, maybe that wasn’t true. He could imagine doing much more, but not tonight.
Things were moving fast enough already. True, they had a short window, but he didn’t mind letting the relationship take its course. Wherever that led. He felt comfortable with Kat, loved that they shared similar interests, and was happy to explore further.
He wasn’t sure which was more invigorating—the fast skating with the wind rushing against his face or Kat’s sparkling smile. Either way, his insides hummed. On the sidewalk, he reached for Kat’s gloved hand.
They walked only a couple of blocks before arriving at Giorgio’s.
Nick held open the door then stepped inside behind Kat.
The spicy scent of pizza filled his nostrils at the same time disappointment lodged in his throat.
Maybe it’d been quiet the last time Kat was here, but tonight it was busy and noisy.
He almost suggested a change of venue, but this had been her choice.
And he should probably try the famous pizza if only to tell people back home he had.
They were seated at a small booth away from the door and not far from the fireplace. About as good as it could get considering the crowd and timing.
Removing her gloves, Kat leaned forward. “Sorry, it’s so busy tonight. Maybe some residual holiday crowds.” She offered a bright smile. “It’s good stuff, though.”
After she requested a hard cider, he ordered one of the craft beers then spent a few minutes studying the menu, which featured some unusual choices. “Let me see if I can guess your taste in pizza.” Could the compatibility continue?
“Okay.” Grinning, Kat crossed her arms, brows raised in challenge.
“I’m thinking something healthy, colorful, and interesting. What about spinach, mushrooms and mango?”