A Curvy Carol (A Curvy Girl Christmas #2)

14. Whit

14

WHIT

I watched Carolynn skate away gracefully.

The more I got to know her, the more impressed I was, especially watching her skate. She looked like a pro on the ice.

Meanwhile, I clung to the rail at the edge of the rink as if my life depended on it. Well, standing upright depended on it. I could hardly manage to stand much less move on the ice. I’d told her to go ahead while I got my footing, but the plan didn’t seem to be working. Besides, it was far more enjoyable to watch her in her element.

Carolynn did a large circle around the rink. As she went, she made a small jump and twirled, landing effortlessly and completing the spin. As she got closer to me, she came to a stop and began spinning quickly.

I had to admit how much I really liked her curves. There was something about the way she carried herself and how her hips swayed that drove me a little crazy.

Carolynn skated the rest of the way to me, and I noticed a familiar blush on her cheeks.

“You’re really good,” I said with a smile.

“Thanks,” she replied breathlessly. “Years and years of practice.”

I looked down at my skates as I hung on to the wall. “Yeah, I’m not sure there’s much hope for me, Christmas Carol.”

I felt and probably looked like a baby deer with long and awkward legs, trying to walk for the first time. Except fawns got skilled at walking much faster than me with skating.

“You’ll get the hang of it in no time,” Carolynn told me. “Come on. You won’t learn to skate by staying so close to the wall.”

She took my hand and led me toward the middle of the rink. I was painfully slow (and kind of scared), but Carolynn stuck beside me. She gave me tips and guided me until I was finally able to make a slow but mostly steady circle around the rink myself.

“Whoa,” I cried out in disbelief as I came to a stop. “I did it.”

“You know, part of being a Garlander is knowing your way around the ice. Some kids learn to skate before they learn to ride a bike around here,” she said with a grin. “So you’re going to have to practice.”

“Noted,” I replied, hanging on to the wall again, unsure if she was being sarcastic or for real about what she’d just said.

It was probably true. There were kids who had to be in preschool who were out here skating like little professionals. It made me that much more determined to do better—and really, not embarrass myself more in front of Carolynn.

I let go of the wall and continued practicing circles, doing my best to keep my balance while pushing up my speed.

Carolynn stayed near me, sprinkling in some encouragement along with some more guidance.

Just when I thought I was starting to get the hang of ice-skating, I lost my balance. But I shot out my arm and Carolynn grabbed it, steadying me. Her hand slid down to my hand and continued hanging on. I didn’t let go either.

I looked at her with a sheepish grin. “Thanks,” I said.

She smiled. “No problem.”

I probably could’ve let go of her hand at that point, but I didn’t want to in the slightest. Her gloved hand in mine just felt right, and I had a feeling it would be even better off the ice.

We kept skating, going around in circles or figure eights for a long time while I slowly improved.

At first, I felt like a polar bear trying to learn how to ride a bicycle, but after a while, I finally felt a little bit of confidence.

Especially with Carolynn right next to me.

“You’re getting the hang of it.” She beamed.

I squeezed her hand. “You think so? I’m pretty sure those preschoolers over there were laughing at me just now.”

Carolynn laughed. I liked how close she stood to me. “They were not.”

I pulled her along again, liking how connected I felt to her on the ice. “Let’s practice some more.”