✨EXCERPT: XOXO, Summer by S.L. Scott releasing June 5th!
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The blindfold is lifted to rest on my forehead. Daniel is always a nice surprise, but he’s blocking my view. When he steps aside, my hands fly to cover my mouth when it drops open. I pivot my gaze back to him, who knows by the smirk on his face that he’s done good. Darn good.
I glance at the box stuffed in an arena seat and see white ice skates still inside. Tears flood my eyes, and even when I tip my head back, I can’t keep them from falling. “You brought me ice-skating?”
“Figured we could skate together since we’re a long way off from preseason.”
He flips a seat down for me to sit. I take in the rink and the arena, the scoreboard, and the large speakers, their penguin mascot painted under layers of ice, and the team’s logos on the sides. “This is where you play?”
He sits next to me to start putting on his skates. “This is where I play.”
The tears should have subsided. I don’t know why, but I feel closer to him than ever, being here. Leaning over, I hug him. “Thank you. Thank you for bringing me here.”
“It’s fun you’re here, Sunshine. So I guess I should have asked. Do you know how to ice-skate?”
Oh boy. “It’s been a while, but I sure do. I was Frosty the Snowman in our school’s production in third grade. It was a live show on ice.”
“I can’t wait to see those moves.”
“Yeah, watch out. Literally.” I laugh just as the crackle of speakers is sharp to the ears. A pop song soon comes through. Removing the blade covers from his skates, he backs onto the ice. I take one off and then the other just as the song changes from upbeat to . . . My heart catches in my throat. “Are you romancing me, Mr. Sutton?”
“May I have this dance?”
I take his hand and step onto the ice. I want to say it’s like riding a bike, but I’m grateful the sides of the skates are reinforced to keep my ankles from breaking.
He asks, “Can you skate backward?”
“No.” I flash a humorless grin. “Absolutely not.” Moving his hands to my waist, he says, “Hold my shoulders. I got you.”
He’s got me alright.
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