Page 29 of Wild Promise

“Trust me, the things I’m about to show you are not on the brochure. And don’t worry,” he said, seeming to catch the apprehension in my tone. “There won’t be any management around. We’re keeping it discreet, just like you asked.”

With a deep, shaky breath, I gave in, allowing him to lead me toward the ice rink, hand in hand.

“First up is our one-of-a-kind skating rink.”

I shook my head, trying hard to chase away my ever-present worry. But damn those feelings were a stubborn bitch. “It’s just a frozen pond. I’ve seen it before, and there’s really nothing too special about it.”

“Oh, but you’re wrong. Follow me.”

Without further explanation, he pulled me around the side of the skate rental shop and knocked on the Employees Only door. A moment later, a cute teenage boy with white-blond hair and ice-blue eyes answered.

“Jasper!” Zane greeted with a blinding smile. “How’s it going, my man?”

“Hey, Zane. What’s up?”

My gaze flashed back and forth between them. How did they know each other? I’d worked at the resort for almost five years, and Lucy had taken free skating lessons here since I’d started, but I’d never seen this kid before. And was it even possible this was the same Jasper who’d asked her to the Winter Festival Dance?

“Brought my girl Melina to see the hidden attractions.”

My girl.

God, those two little words…

Said so casually, like it was the most obvious thing in the world. Not like he was trying to impress me, but like he meant it. I wasn’t ready to unpack what those words did to me.

And I definitely wasn’t ready to admit how much I wanted them to be true.

“That’s cool. I owe you one anyway.” Jasper tipped his chin toward me. “What size do you take?”

“Huh?”

“What size skate, firecracker?” Zane’s thumb stroked over the back of my hand.

I told him, and within seconds, Jasper was handing us each a pair of brand-new-looking ice skates. Still a bit confused, I followed Zane’s lead, changing into our borrowed skates and heading out to the frozen pond.

There were a few other couples circling around the rink, some graceful, some wobbling through uneven turns beneath the floodlights. But the second my feet hit the ice, everyone else seemed to fade away.

Once again, Zane linked his fingers with mine, and we glided across the slick surface together. At first, my legs felt stiff with nerves, but before we’d even completed a full loop, my body had found the right rhythm, and my mind started to let go.

“This was a great idea,” I said through a sigh.

The floodlights suddenly snapped off.

I gasped as we were plunged into darkness. But just as quickly, the glitter of twinkle lights sparked to life around us, lighting up the night. Hundreds of strands of golden lights were strung between the trees and through the branches, creating a canopy of glowing stars overhead.

I slowed to a stop without meaning to.

How had I never noticed this before? Green Mountain rose in silhouette against the moon, the warm glow of the hotel barely visible through the trees, and the rink—this simple frozen pond I’d dismissed only minutes ago—had been transformed into something out of a fairy tale.

“Zane,” I breathed. “This is beautiful.”

“Told you it wasn’t on the brochure.” His voice was soft. Maybe even pleased. Like watching my reaction was the whole point.

Music drifted through hidden speakers, the beat low and smooth. Before I could think too hard about it, I let go of Zane’s hand and raised my arms, letting the melody carry me across the ice.

For the first time in weeks, I felt light and relaxed.

Then Zane’s hands settled around my waist from behind.