Raven took a swipe at Bailey who screamed and skated very slowly away.
“Not worth the effort,” Raven said then went to skate with the kids.
“Are you okay?” I asked as Harlow and I stumbled to the bench.
“I’m so out of shape.”
“No, you’re not. Skating’s hard.”
“I definitely need more cardio.”
Leaning her sweaty face against me, Harlow drank an entire bottle of water.
“Nervous about tonight?” she asked.
“No. You’ll be there.”
“I’m not asking him anything this time. You need to be chatty with the boytoy.”
“I don’t know what to ask.”
“What do you want to know?”
I shrugged.
“Ask him why he wears all those shirts with a bulldog on the front? Maybe he has a fetish. You’ll want to know that in case things move to the marriage and baby carriage stages.”
Smiling, I checked my watch and counted the hours before Dylan would arrive at my house to pick me up for the movies. My stomach lurched at the thought of seeing him again. Dread came first, but then a warm sensation in my gut took over.
Dylan might be my Cooper Johansson, the guy who thawed my frigid ways. While this wasn’t the most romantic idea I’d ever heard, I still prayed Bailey was right.
Chapter Eight ~ Dylan
The temperature dropped nearly twenty degrees from when I got up at eleven to the time I arrived at the Todds’s house at five. I zipped up my dark brown leather jacket then knocked on the door.
Jace answered and gave me the once over before letting me inside. I stood in the living room of the modernized 1960’s house and hoped Winnie wasn’t hiding in her room. Just before my worries cemented into full fledged fear, she appeared from the hallway.
If any other girl looked at me like Winnie did right then, I would cross the distance between us and swept her into my arms.
Her hazel eyes were so bright with excitement in a way I’d never seen them before. Based on her big smile, I sensed she had been counting the hours until we were together again.
As I struggled against the urge to kiss her, Winnie smiled wider like she knew what she did to me.
“You look beautiful,” I said unable to stop myself.
Looking a little insecure, Winnie ran a hand over her green sweater. “Thank you. Harlow picked it out.”
“I’ll be sure to thank her.”
Winnie’s smile lit up the room. “I was worried you’d be mad about last night.”
“You mean how it was perfect?”
Winnie gave me a knowing grin. “Harlow is having hair issues. She’ll be out in a minute. Do you want to wait outside?”
“It’s really cold.”
Winnie retrieved her jacket from the closet then called out goodbye to her little brother.
“I want practice being alone with you.”
Giving her a little grin, I opened the door and we walked into the chilly evening. Winnie’s nose turned pink within two minutes and I had the urge to warm her up.
“What did you do today?” she asked, sounding nervous.
“Nothing much. Just a little laundry.”
“I went roller skating with Harlow and Jace. Bailey and Raven were there. Harlow is training to join the roller derby team.”
Unable to stop myself, I caressed her cheek with the back of my knuckles. “I can’t skate. I’d end up on my ass in five seconds.”
“I’d hold you,” she offered, but her bravado barely hid the fear in her voice.
“I could arrange that.”
Winnie smiled, but her breathing told me she was on edge. The intimacy of this moment and the need we both felt was eating away at her confidence.
After quickly tracing her perfect lips, I stepped back. “Patience is a virtue.”
Winnie smiled, even while having trouble making eye contact. “Patience isn’t always easy.”
“Sometimes, it’s worth it though.”
Holding my gaze, she smiled and nodded. “Sometimes.”
Harlow opened the door then shivered at the cold wind. “Bye, Mom, Dad, and Jace.”
“Go away!” Jace yelled back, but I caught the boy grinning.
Harlow ignored his comment and walked past us to the driveway. “Let’s get going. I want time to get popcorn and a giant soda on your dime.”
Grinning, I opened the SUV doors for both girls. Once I joined them, I noticed Harlow deep in love with her phone. It was almost like Winnie and I were alone.
During the drive, Winnie placed her hand on my right arm then took it off then returned it. I made no notice of her touch, allowing her to build her confidence without putting her on the spot.