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She drops her eyes. “You see something no one else does.”
Before I can stop myself, I place my hand underneath her chin, tilting it up until her gaze meets mine. “Maybe the wrong people have been looking.”
Ivy stares at me doubtfully. “It isn’t practical.”
Breaking her stare, I resume skating beside her. “That’s your uncle speaking.” Part of me wants to give Owen a good talking to the next time I see him. Can’t he see Ivy’s spirit…her talent? Why would he try and stifle that? “You shouldn’t listen to him. Nothing worth anything ever comes without risk.”
We skate to the edge and find a seat on a bench, taking our skates off. I glance at my watch. “It’s almost noon. Do you have time for lunch?”
Ivy shakes her head. “I promised my aunt that we would go Christmas shopping this afternoon. It’s a yearly ritual.”
I call a car as we leave the park. When it arrives, I look at Ivy as I hold open the door. “Your chariot awaits.” Sliding in after her, I catch the slight scent of her perfume that has continued to haunt me since we met. When we get back to my building, Ivy stops at the entrance, kicking at the snow with her boot. “I guess I’d better head back to Brooklyn.”
“I was going to drive you home,” I tell her. “It’s no trouble.”
She shakes her head. “I’ll take the subway. I’m an old hat at it.”
Why do I suddenly feel like she is withdrawing? “If you’re sure.”
Ivy begins to walk away. “I’d better get going. My aunt is probably waiting for me.”
Watching her leave, I wonder what I did to effect the sudden change. The doorman coughs subtly as he holds the door open for me. Though the lobby is warm inside, I suddenly feel cold.
