Page 105 of Only Ever You
Lips pursed, Isla stands with my phone in her hand. The way her chest rises and falls rapidly is a dead giveaway she’s nervous. Or maybe angry. Either way, she clearly doesn’t appreciate Asher’s meddling.
Me? I’m damn grateful. This has given me the opening I’ve been searching for. A chance to finally clear the air.
Though I can’t say I’m not a little worried it’ll backfire on me.
“Was this your idea?” she asks, meeting my gaze.
I snort. “Does it look like it was? I had no clue he planned to lock us in here together. I didn’t even know you’d be here tonight, as unbelievable as that may sound.” I look away. “I’ve only been back for two days. Ash told me you were in Boston and that he didn’t know when you were coming home.”
“Cheeky asshole.” She holds out my phone.
I take it, using the moment to brush my fingers over her open palm, desperate to touch her.
“He knew I’d be back today because he texted me on Friday, asking when I was coming home. And I never miss my ice time, so of course I’m here.”
“Does that mean you sometimes skip your off-ice training? Is choreography not that important to you?” I tease her, trying to lighten the mood. “You never loved it as much as you love being on the ice.”
She glowers, looking cuter than she does threatening. “I’m a professional. It doesn’t matter what I like more. I never miss anything related to my routine.”
Pretending to be chastised, I nod once. “Got it.”
With a huff, she drops her duffel bag and then slides down the wall and settles on the floor.
For a moment, I loom above her, torn. I want to sit beside her, but it would be safer, I think, to sit across from her. And if I want her to talk to me, I better not try my luck.
So, I take a big step forward, then turn and drop to the floor as well.
“How are you?” I ask, taking her in.
She shrugs. “Fine.”
“How was Boston?”
“Also fine.” She sighs, her shoulders drooping. “I flew back yesterday but went home for the night. Wanted to see my family.”
“How are your parents? How’s Ian doing?”
“They’re all doing great.” The corners of her mouth tremble, but she fights the smile. “Meg was at our house when I got there. She and Ian are doing a project for English class. She looks so much like your mom.”
“Yeah, she does, while I look like my dad.” I chuckle. “And I could say the same about you and Ian.”
“True.”
Finally, the smile gets away from her, and her lips tip up. This smile of hers rewires my brain. It highlights every facet of her beauty, making her look happier and more relaxed.
My breaths come easier now that she doesn’t look so tense.
“How do you feel?” she asks. “How long do you have to stay off the ice?”
“I’m okay. Being home helped a lot. My parents made sure I stayed off my phone and policed the TV because of my concussion, and everybody fussed over me.” I fix my nose ring, a nervous habit. “And I’ll be back on the ice in November.”
“Sorry.” Her face falls. “I remember how much you hated getting sick and not being allowed to skate.”
I snort. “Look who’s talking. Do I need to remind you about when we were eleven and you begged me to put the thermometer in my mouth because you knew you had a fever but wanted to go to practice?” Leaning forward, I splay my hands on the floor on either side of me. “And how, when you got off the ice, you lost consciousness because your temperature was a hundred and three?”
Huffing, she folds her arms over her chest, trapping her bottom lip between her teeth. She eyes me in silence for several seconds. Then, she lowers her hands to her lap. “Why were you here watching me skate? Honestly.”
“I already told you. You just didn’t believe me.” I thread my fingers through my hair. “I wanted to watch you skate because you move so effortlessly. So fast. You’ve always been fast. Remember the time you beat Turner when he challenged you all those years ago?” I swallow thickly, my mouth going dry. “You rule the ice when you’re on it, like a real queen. It’s so beautiful and powerful. I’ve always loved watching you skate, but for the past three years, I’ve only been able to do it online.”
