Lucy had never been ice-skating before.
After brunch, Sean took her to an outdoor skating rink in Arlington. Lucy argued.
“I barely know how to roller-skate.”
Sean said, “But you ski, right?”
“Not well. I’m still on the bunny slopes.”
“Skiing is next, then. It’s all about balance.”
“There’s a huge difference between ice and snow. Ice is hard. It hurts more when you fall.”
“So don’t fall.”
She glared at him. “You think this is funny.”
He feigned offense. “I take my playtime very seriously.”
She sighed. “I don’t know,” she said, looking out at the rink, dominated by kids who could skate rings around her. “Maybe we should go to a pool hall. I can play a wicked game of pool-”
“After. Now sit so you can put on the ice skates.”
Lucy watched dozens of people on the ice as she pulled on her skates. Most knew what they were doing; some were struggling and holding onto the railings. A little peanut of a girl whizzed past her in a swirling short pink skirt and matching sweater, gloves, and scarf. She did a spinning thing that had Lucy thinking future Olympic Gold Medalist.
Lucy feared she’d break a bone.
Sean was already laced up before Lucy had started. He bent over and quickly tied up her laces. “I don’t think this a good idea,” she said.
“Scared?”
“No, but-”
“Chicken?”
She glared at him. “I’m not chicken, but-”
“Then prove it.”
“I am going to embarrass myself,” she said under her breath. Sean helped her to her feet and she added, “There’s no way I can walk on these skates.”
Sean picked her up.
“What are you doing?” she cried, panicked. “You can’t carry me with skates on.”
He laughed as he walked-on skates-to the entrance of the rink. “You’ll be gliding across the ice like a pro by the end of the day.”
“Or frozen from falling on my ass.”
“I’m not going to let you fall.” He set her down on the ice. She grabbed the railing, her legs spreading into a split.
“Sean!”
He laughed again, grabbed her biceps, and pulled her to standing. “Pretend you’re dancing.”
“This is not dancing.”
“I said pretend.” He held her at the waist, facing her forward, his chest pressed against her back. “I’m going to lead, okay? I’ll steer you forward. You can hold onto my forearm if that helps.”
She held on tight.
“Skating is all about balance and movement. Let your thighs do the work.”
“We’re moving!” She squeezed his arm as it tightened around her waist. The little girl with the future Gold twirled by as if she were floating. “I swear, she did that to make me feel inferior.”
“Probably.”
“I wasn’t serious.”
“I was.” He kissed her on the cheek. “Now stop comparing yourself to the other children and focus.”
Lucy took a deep breath, the cold air feeling both amazingly refreshing and icy in her lungs. Sean gently moved them forward as he steered her. “Do you feel my legs move?”
She did, and swallowed, acutely aware of Sean’s thighs pressing lightly against the back of hers, first the right, then the left, in a sensual rhythm that both calmed and excited her. She moved at his direction, and soon they were skating, slowly but steady.
“Hey, I’m skating!” She grinned widely, nervous but proud of her accomplishment.
They skated around the rink twice as Lucy gained confidence. “Okay, I’m going to let you go,” Sean said, “but I’ll be right behind you.”
“No-”
But he’d already dropped his arms. She glided forward, trying to keep the same rhythm, but she went too far to the right, overcompensating and turned 180 degrees. She grabbed at the railing, but it was too far and she fell on her butt, her feet shooting out from under her.
“Shit!”
Sean laughed.
She glared at him. “Stop laughing.” Then she smiled. “I’m such an idiot.”
He held out his hand and pulled her up with one smooth move. “Okay, we’ll try something else in the dance family.”
Facing her, he held her waist and started skating backward, pulling her along with him instead of pushing her forward. “You’re going backward!” she exclaimed.
“Would you rather?”
She shook her head and put her hands on his shoulders. They moved fluidly along the edge of the rink. Or, rather, Sean steered them perfectly, seeming to know by instinct and quick glances back exactly where they were on the ice, and where everyone else was as well. Lucy rediscovered her rhythm, and they glided smoothly around the rink, as close as they could get without fully touching, Sean’s movements seemingly effortless. Their flowing dance became more than two friends skating, as the banter subsided and Sean kissed the top of her head. Then her lips. Lightly, sweetly, showing a deep affection that surprised her.
“I’m proud of you, Luce.”
She cleared her throat. “Why?”
