Noah
I parked the truck in the only spot I could find and hopped out. It appeared we had taken the last nice evening last night while decorating the gazebo because sometime overnight it had grown super cold and snow now blanketed Willow Valley, giving the park a beautiful glow.
I could see people on the man-made rink the town had put up since the small lake hadn’t frozen over yet. I grabbed my gloves and skates before leaving the truck. It had been so long since I’d skated, I hoped I hadn’t forgotten how.
Skating used to be our thing every winter when we were younger. It had actually been our very first date in this very park at this very event. I smiled as the memory filled my mind.
I glanced at my watch, it was almost six thirty, and I couldn’t help but wonder if Mindi was already here. It wouldn’t look good if I was late, so I quickly made my way over to where Brooke and Tristan were serving the first batch of hot chocolate and apple cider before the tree lighting.
“Hey, Noah, what can I get for you?” Brooke asked as I approached the table.
“Two hot chocolates, please, and two cookies,” I answered.
She got right to pouring the two cups while Tristan bagged the cookies Sarah and I had decorated.
“So, how does it feel being back in your old hometown?” Tristan asked, handing me the cookies.
“Honestly, it feels very much like home. Not a lot has changed, but it has at the same time,” I added.
“It was nice to have you helping at the community center the other day as well,” Brooke said. “I’m sure Mindi appreciated that.”
“It was nice to be included,” I told her. “Have you seen her?”
“Not yet,” Brooke said, passing me the two cups of hot chocolate.
A feeling of disappointment fell over me, wondering if perhaps she would not show.
“There she is.” Tristan smiled. “She’s walking over with Trinity and Thomas right now,” he said, holding his arm up in the air and waving in their direction.
“They all know where we set up, silly.” Brooke giggled, elbowing Tristan in the side.
Tristan turned to me, his face screwed up like he was in pain as he rubbed his side. Brooke giggled, and we both laughed. Then he grabbed her and pulled her to his side and kissed her forehead.
“I bet it’s odd seeing Mindi again after all these years,” Brooke said, pouring herself a cup of hot chocolate and taking a sip.
“No, not odd,” I said, my voice low. “Unexpected, but wonderful at the same time.” I turned to see her laughing at something Trinity had said. Just as they approached the table, she turned her eyes on me and softly smiled. “Hey you,” she whispered.
“Hey, are you ready?” I questioned.
“For…”
“Skating,” I said, tugging on one skate that hung over her shoulder.
She nodded and took the hot chocolate from my hand.
“Where’s Sarah?” Brooke asked.
“Oh, she is with Gracie and Iris. They are on their way.”
“Wonderful,” Brooke said, rubbing her hands together.
“Shall we?” Noah asked, slipping his hand into mine and gently tugging me toward the ice rink as we left Brooke, Tristan, Trinity, and Thomas together.
We’d both just finished tying our skates when I slipped the hot chocolate from her hand and stood up, taking her hands in mine.
“Ready?” I questioned, stepping onto the ice.
“Gosh, Noah, I don’t know,” she said, looking at the ice in panic. “I haven’t done this in years.” She giggled. “What if I fall? I’m not as young as I used to be.”
“You’ll be fine. It will come flying back in no time,” I said, hoping I was right, because I too hadn’t skated in years. “Besides, I’ve got you.” I winked, hoping I sounded confident and not afraid of both of us falling to the ground.
“Easy for you to say.” She giggled.
“Trust me,” I said, pulling her to her feet.
The moment her feet hit the ice, she slipped a little, and I quickly slipped in behind her, helping her to regain her balance.
“Just as I remember, it’s slippery and I’m as unbalanced as ever.” She giggled, grabbing my arm again to regain her balance as she pushed off with her right foot.
Soon, we were talking away as we made our way around the rink. Mindi was telling me about the tree farm when I felt her hand tense against mine. I turned just in time to see her lose her balance but was able to get in behind her just before she hit the ground.
“Thank goodness you were right here,” she whispered, her breath against my neck as I held her close to me.
“Told you to trust me,” I whispered as I pulled her back up, the scent of her perfume invading my senses.
She met my eyes as she turned in my arms. It was at that moment, under the stars and surrounded by twinkling light, I leaned forward and pressed my lips to hers for the first time in years.
Our lips only connected for seconds before she pulled hers away from mine and placed her hands on my chest and slowly raised her eyes to mine.
“Noah,” she whispered breathlessly.
I could feel the connection between us, the same way it had been before I left all those years ago, the protectiveness I felt once upon a time, and I knew that even though I crossed the first line and kissed her, we needed to take things slow, otherwise those feelings would overwhelm the both of us.
I hadn’t realized how much I missed her in my life, until now, as she stood here staring back at me.
“What is it?” I asked.
She looked at me like she wanted to say something, but she shook her head and pressed her lips to mine once again before we pushed off from where we were standing and circled the ice again.
We made a couple more rounds, and when we got to where we started, I pulled her over to the edge and helped her off the ice and to sit down. I bent down and undid my skates while she did the same.
“How come you ended our skating?” she questioned, looking at me as she slipped her socked foot into her boot.
“Well, it’s almost time for us to meet over at the gazebo for the caroling and to finish handing out the cookies we decorated.
Plus, I figured you might like to grab a quick bite to eat before we head over,” I said, nodding toward where Zach and Iris were busy barbecuing burgers for everyone, while Sarah and Gracie helped with the buns.
“Actually, I’m starved.” She giggled as she waved at Iris.
“Well then, shall we?” I asked.
Mindi nodded, gathered up her skates, and then slipped her hand into mine as we made our way over to them.