Page 61 of Date With Skates

Connor chuckles softly, his chest warm against my cheek.

“Okay,” he says, then kisses the top of my head.

I smile and my body gets all tingly, even though I know it’s a lie. We can’t stay here forever, but thinking about it makes me happy. So that’s what I do, and I’ll do it for as long as I can.

The room is quiet and dark, thanks to the curtains being closed tight. The air is cold, but I’m warm as can be under the blankets with Connor. His breathing is soft and relaxed, and for the first time in a long time, I feel calm too.

Until my stomach starts grumbling.

“Guess it’s time to feed you,” Connor says.

I hug him tighter. “I’ll starve for you.”

“Wow, that’s pretty serious.”

I look up at him, meeting his gaze.

“Yeah,” I agree. “It is.”

His eyes narrow slightly, and he cups my cheek with one hand.

“How serious?” he asks.

I shrug, giving him a tiny smile. “As serious as it gets.”

“I know the feeling,” he responds.

It’s quiet for a moment.

“Are we talking about the same thing?” I ask. “Just to be clear…”

Connor smirks, leaning in to kiss me.

“Yes, we’re talking about the same thing. We just admitted that we love each other.”

Love… what a strange word.

It’s true though. And I guess I can’t really deny it.

I was looking forward to a romantic breakfast with Connor, since we’re in love now, when Nico so rudely interrupted it by inviting himself and Roman along. And not only did he invite himself, but he threatened to leave me here if I wasn’t nice. Of course, I could get a ride home, but it’s the point of the matter! I hate it when he’s mean to me.

Though, I guess I deserved it for being mean to him, too.

“We should be nicer to each other,” I say, taking Nico’s hand when we’re finished eating.

We still have coffee and juice in front of us, but I don’t think any of us could eat another bite, we’re so full.

“I’ll agree,” he says. “Because you caught me in a good mood.”

I turn to Roman. “Thanks for that.”

“I didn’t do anything…” he says, confused.

“Of course you did. You gave him something he was really missing.”

“Étienne—” Nico hisses.

“I don’t get it,” Roman says.