20. Chapter 20

Chapter 20

Jamie

Evie is enchanting. Every time she gains a little more balance, the excitement on her face sends heat radiating throughout my chest and a smile splits my face. Even though my main focus is keeping her from falling, I can't deny how much I enjoy holding her close whenever I need to keep her upright.

Another person nudges her as they pass, and I feel her trying to wrap her arms around me in order to keep from falling. As I catch her, I can hear her giggle, and I can't stop the smile from expanding across my face.

My chest radiates with heat at her laugh, and my stomach swoops.

"Let's move more toward the center. It's like rush hour out here." I snake my arm around her waist and hold her arm as I slowly guide her toward the center of the ice. She grips my forearm around her waist, and I savor the warmth of her body.

Once we reach the center, I reluctantly move my body from her side to stand in front of her, but I still let my hand linger on her waist, not wanting to stop touching her.

"How do you make it look so easy?" She's watching my feet as I move, her eyes wide. "It's like you've been skating your entire life."

The smile she beams my way has my heart skipping. Her blue eyes are sparkling, and I find myself lost in them.

"You should've seen me when I first tried ice skating. It wasn't pretty."

That's not completely true. I had a learning curve, but I quickly took to the ice. I honestly think it's because I've been on skis since I was four years old. My dad was an avid skier and took me with him whenever he could.

Her eyes roam over my face, and my heart stammers when she stops at my lips. When she lifts her eyes back to mine, I see the girl I left six months ago staring back at me, and my breath catches.

"I've missed you," she says so softly that it feels like a whisper. Then, more firmly and with a poke to my chest, "But if you ever do that to me again, I will never forgive you."

I can't stop the grin that spreads across my face or the heat spreading through my chest. I grab her finger and hold it, my eyes never leaving hers. "I promise I won't leave like that again. Will you let me explain what happened? I need you to know why I di—"

"Yes. But not here." She looks around at everyone with a smile on her face. "We have an audience."

I follow her eyes to see that everyone is either outright watching us or pretending like they aren't. The smirks and whispers are evident. I look outside the rink and see everyone smiling and laughing around the fire pits.

When I look at Sean's bingo crew, it looks like they are taking bets on something. A laugh bubbles up.

"What?"

"I can't believe your brother plays bingo."

Evie's laugh ripples. When I turn back to her, she looks at the people outside the rink, a small smile resting on her face. I take the moment to admire her profile, and I let my eyes greedily roam over her face.

I feel her palm resting on my chest, and my hand covers hers. "Ready to try again?"

She nods her head before she starts to move forward, on her own this time. A crooked grin crosses my face as I slowly follow behind, giving her space to try on her own.

"How do I turn around?" She asks with her face over her shoulder just as her arms start to swing.

I push forward with my skates and reach her just before she falls. Her laughter rings through the air as she lands in my arms, facing me.

"Guess that's one way to do it," I chuckle.

Her laughter stops as she gazes into my eyes, and for the thousandth time tonight, my breath catches. The emotions shining in her eyes has me captivated and my heart pounding. My eyes roam her face before pausing at her mouth.

"Look up," I hear Sean's mischievous voice next to me. Evie and I both look up at the pitch of the lights to find mistletoe hanging directly above us.

I feel a smile creep across my face as I look back down at Evie, who is looking directly at me.

"So, are you going to kiss me this time, or will you chicken out again?" She moves to cup my face, and I sigh, leaning into her touch.

"I was afraid you would be even more angry at me than you already—"

"Jamie?" A mischievous glint appears in her eyes.

"Yes?" I feel my lips pull up at the corners.

"Shut up and kiss me."

"Yes, ma'am." I would've saluted her if she wasn't in my arms already.

Evie's other hand raises to my face, and I gently move toward her. Right before my mouth captures hers, I stop and look at her. She opens her eyes in surprise, and a smile breaks across her face.

"You are going to—"

My lips capture hers before she can finish the words falling from her mouth. Her lips are soft beneath mine, and I can feel her sigh. Her one arm moves to wrap around my neck, pulling me closer to her. Our bodies are flush against each other, and the heat from her travels from my head to my toes, leaving me warm all over.

My heart is pounding against my rib cage, and I am positive that there isn't any way she can't feel it.

I slowly pull away and look into her eyes. They are shining with love, and I can feel myself melting. I lean in and give her two quick kisses before slowly pulling us both up to a standing position. Unwilling to let her go completely, I keep my hand around her waist.

Her face starts to turn a charming shade of pink as she leans her forehead against my chest. I begin to worry that she regrets me kissing her when the hooting and hollering breaks through my haze.

I completely forgot the entire town was here. For a moment, it was just the two of us. I feel my face start to heat as I look at everyone.

"Nothing to see here, folks. Everyone move on their way." I wave my hand to try and dismiss them.

"Not anymore," someone says, and everyone laughs, including me. Evie is still tucked into my chest, not looking at anyone.

I put my finger under her chin and lift her face. When I can finally see it, it is the brightest shade of red I've ever seen her wear, and I throw my head back and laugh, which has her instantly tucking her head back against my chest.

"I can't stand how precious you are." I pull her body in closer to me and whisper in her ear. "You were egging me on, and now you're embarrassed."

"I forgot the entire town was here," she squeaks but wraps her arms around me, pulling us closer.

I rest my cheek on the top of her head, the smile I'm wearing is threatening to crack my face. I'm content to stand here for the rest of my life with Evie in my arms, whole town watching orr not. But my feet are getting cold.

I kiss the top of her head and then rest my cheek back on it. "Ready to head to a fire pit? My feet are getting cold."

She pulls her head back and looks up at me with a grin. "You're already getting cold feet? This isn't going to end well."

I lift her chin and look directly into her eyes. "Is this what our life together is going to look like? You constantly teasing me?"

Her blue eyes turn serious. "Every day."

My heart stutters, and I cup her face with my hands. "I love you so much, Evelyn O'Connell."

"You better, Jamie Stewart." A mischievous look passes over her face. "Otherwise, my brothers will beat you up."

A smile slides across my face, and I move my hand from her cheek to her hair, pulling her head toward me. I lean in, but right before my lips touch hers, I stop and narrow my eyes at her.

"What's the matter?"

"You didn't say it back," I growl at her.

Her eyes light up, and a wry grin stretches my face.

"You're a cruel woman, Evelyn O'Connell."

She smirks at me, and I lean in to kiss her anyway, but this time she pulls back. My eyes widen in surprise as her eyes roam my face.

"I love you too, James Stewart." She rests a hand on my cheek. "So very much."

My knees nearly buckle from under me, and my heart soars. My body is on fire when she cups my face with both hands and pulls my lips to hers in a tender kiss.

I smile against her lips and feel her smile in return. I rest my forehead against hers before softly saying, "Seriously though, my feet are freezing."

I grab her hand, and we slowly make our way off the ice. She squeezes my hand, and I feel it all the way to my frozen toes. When I look over my shoulder at her, I can't stop the smile that lights my lips.

Just as I step off the ice and turn to help Evie, I catch Sean and Jessica high-fiving before giving me a thumbs up. I shake my head and chuckle.

"What?" Evie asks.

"I'm laughing at our siblings congratulating themselves on a successful match."

Evie steps off the ice, rests her hands against my chest, and then raises her face to me.

"I'm willing to give them the win. You?"

I nod before leaning in and putting my lips to hers.

Yes, I will gladly let Sean and Jessica have their win if it means kissing Evie all the days of my life.

I grin, and I take her hand heading to the nearest fire pit. My feet really are freezing.