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CHAPTER FOUR
BELINDA
I would never have predicted that my childhood snowman-making buddy would turn out to be so terrific.
He works hard; it’s easy to see how busy he is, and his obvious concern for making his family’s firm efficient and profitable while also being customer-focused. That’s not a surprise, and it’s no surprise that he’s sharp and focused.
What does surprise me is the care he takes for the people in his life. It’s just not a thing I thought about when I was a kid, but as a human resources manager, it matters to me that employers are ethical in their provision for employees, not just with compensation but with providing a good working environment. Austin’s doing his best to do that.
I’m impressed.
I’m even more impressed that he loves to spend time with his family. His mom lights up every time she sees him, and his nieces and nephew call loudly for Uncle Austin to read them stories or play with them.
And he’s considerate for me, too. He chooses activities I like; he makes sure I don’t get too tired, and he takes the time to feed me. That’s pretty simple, but based on my brief dating career, it’s unusual.
Not to mention that every time his hand touches mine, I practically melt into liquid on the inside. The man is hella sexy.
I keep waiting for him to kiss me, but he doesn’t.
Yesterday we went to the nicest jewelry store in town, because he asked my help in choosing a gift for his mother. Mrs. Reese already has some cherished jewelry, things she wears all the time like her triple pearl strand and her small diamond stud earrings, but I suggested a mother’s bracelet with birthstone charms for each of her children. It was Austin’s idea to add the grandchildren’s birthstones as well.
Then he chose a mother’s bracelet for his sister. “And for my other sister…do you like any of these?” Austin asks me, standing over a tray of silver rings set with unusual stones like carnelian and moonstone. “Rory’s not much for traditional jewelry, but I think she might like one of these.”
I suggest a lapis lazuli ring with silver filigree, and Austin agrees.
I drift past the diamond engagement rings, trying not to think acquisitive thoughts because when and if I get engaged, I want it to be about my partner and me together, not about a rock on my finger. I can feel Austin’s eyes on me, and they make my skin tingle.
He hasn’t even kissed me.
Then we went back to his loft apartment downtown and wrapped our gifts while listening to a Christmas-classics playlist. We had eggnog from the store with some cinnamon brandy in it, and then he cooked me Thai chicken meatballs with peanut noodles, and we watched “Merry Christmas, Mr. Bean.”
And we laughed. We laughed, and he slung an arm around my shoulders and hugged me sideways, while I melted inside and fantasized about his lips on mine. But then he took me back to my grandparents’ house and said he’d see me this afternoon, and to dress in layers for my surprise.
While we were saying goodnight, I almost reached up to kiss him.
I chickened out at the last minute. He’s become a good friend, and I don’t want to ruin that.
So it’s Christmas Eve and here I am, dressed in layers as requested, hoping for something I can’t really name except with one word: more. I want more of Austin.
When he comes to pick me up, I’m on edge, dying for that more, and I stay that way. He takes me back downtown and parks at the big library parking lot.
“We’re going to the library?”
He laughs. Points just past the library to Elmwood Park, where the city has set up its seasonal ice rink. “Elmwood on Ice, instead. I hope that’s okay?”
My mouth drops open, and then I laugh in pure joy. Ice skating!
“Your grandmother rooted your skates out of the garage,” Austin says. “I hope they still fit.”
I just nod, thrilled beyond words and glad I wore my fleece-lined leggings.
It’s every bit what I’d dreamed of, skating with Austin. He’s okay on skates, with only the occasional bobble for balance—good enough to skate alongside me and hold my hand. The rink plays excerpts from “The Nutcracker” and Vivaldi’s “Winter,” plus all the usual fun Christmas songs. It’s during “Winter Wonderland” that I look up at his face to see him gazing at me with so much heat in his eyes that I trip, turning my ankle and crying out in pain.
Tears sting my eyes, hot against my chilled face. Austin helps me to the side of the rink, assisting me to sit on a bench and remove my skates. He touches my ankle tenderly.
“I don’t think it’s broken,” I say. “Just twisted. All the same…”
“You need some ice on that,” he says, and hugs me gently. “Want to go back home?”
