“So to where are you spiriting me off?” asked William, as he crawled into the front seat of Cat’s Honda.
“Can you ice skate?”
His eyes lit up. “Yes, I can. We skated on my cousins’ backyard pond in Wellesley every Christmas. I love it.” He adjusted his long legs without complaint in the cramped space of the passenger seat. “I’m nowhere as good as my cousin’s son, though. He’s training for the Olympics.”
Cat snorted. “I should hope you’re not that good. I’m not sure I can make it around the rink without falling down—it’s been years since I’ve skated. But I thought it sounded like a fun, low-key afternoon, so I’m glad you’re up for it.”
“Where’s the rink? It’s hardly cold enough for ice around here.”
“There’s an inside rink downtown.”
“Great!”
She drove through Charlottesville, casting surreptitious glances at Will. He was definitely handsome, and whatever cologne he was wearing smelled heavenly. He caught her looking at him and smiled, placing his hand over hers on the gearshift and squeezing it.
“I’m glad I’m here today, Catherine. I enjoy being with you.”
She smiled in return, but her smile slipped a little when she reminded herself he liked her because he had to like her. She’d created him that way. Or had she? Just because she said she wanted a certain type of man and they showed up didn’t mean they had to like her. They could be into her of their own volition. Couldn’t they?
A frown puckered her brow.
“Was that too forward?” said William, removing his hand.
“Not at all. I was trying to figure out how to switch to third gear without disturbing your fingers,” she lied.
He smiled but kept his hand on his own knee. “I don’t know many people who drive a stick anymore. That’s a skill.”
“My mom insisted I learn. I’m glad she did. One of the reasons this car was cheap was because the dealer said nobody wanted a manual transmission anymore. It was the only way I could afford it.”
“I could get you a car if you’d like,” Will said casually.
“What?” Cat glanced at him in surprise, and then flicked her eyes back to the road. “You can’t be serious. We hardly know each other.”
“I know I like being with you, and I know I can afford it. It’d make me happy to give you one if you’d take it.”
“Well, I won’t. Besides, what’s wrong with this Honda?”
“Nothing,” William conceded. “If you don’t mind very little leg room.”
“It’s cute.”
Will wrinkled his nose. “Cute? Cute is not a characteristic one looks for in a car.”
“It is if you’re female, buddy. Or at least this female.” She arched an eyebrow at him.
“Let me guess. You like Mini Coopers and Bugs.”
“Why, yes, I do. My favorites are those tiny Smart Cars, though.”
William shook his head in mock disgust. “Those things are death traps. One fender bender and the car would be totaled—and you along with it.”
“Good thing I’m an excellent driver, then, because I still want one. Only not from you,” she amended quickly.
He raised his hands in surrender. “The lady doesn’t want me to buy her a car, I won’t buy her a car.”
“Such sacrificial gallantry.”
“Like a knight in shining armor ... in reverse.” His eyes crinkled in amusement.
Cat’s mind flew back to Ben Cooper. Every time the word ‘knight’ came up, she thought of him, and his jeans-clad rear, in the bookstore. It was distracting, and annoying. She did not need to think of him when she was on a date with a modern-day Prince Charming. She gripped the steering wheel, determined to push thoughts of Ben far, far away.
She pulled into a parking space near the rink. “We’re here.”
William grabbed her hand and placed a kiss on the back of it. “I’ve been looking forward to spending time with you again, Catherine.”
A Prince Charming who was completely into her.
He hopped out and strolled around the front of the car to open the driver’s side door.
“This feels backward,” he noted, one side of his mouth tipping up.
Taking his hand, Catherine eased out of the car. “I’d say this feels pretty good.”
William raised his eyebrows in pleasant surprise and tucked her arm into his. “In that case, lead on.”
“Wow, you really can skate!” she said to him a short while later, as she edged her way along the wall of the rink.
William glided next to her easily. “You can hold on to my arm,” he offered, extending his elbow.
“Not yet. If I fall, I don’t want to take anyone down with me. I’m still getting used to this again.”
“I wouldn’t let you fall, Catherine. Ever.” He gave her his best smile, shaking his elbow again.
She sighed inwardly. He really is perfect. So why did she feel tense? It’s not as if she wasn’t having a good time. She was. But something felt off. She frowned, closing her eyes briefly.
“Are you doing all right?” William asked with solicitous concern. “I can slow down.”
“No, no, I’m fine. In fact, I do feel more secure with you.”
“I’m glad to hear it. I’ll always keep you safe.”
Of course, you will. Because that’s the reason I created you, to keep me safe. She released William’s elbow and grabbed his hand, lacing her fingers through his and clasping them firmly.
“I’m getting better!” she exclaimed, just before she lost her balance and started to stumble. William instantly yanked her back up, pulling her against him to keep her upright.
“See? Told you.” His cheeks dimpled in a grin.
Cat stared into his green eyes, a green the color of grass in the springtime—not the brown of chocolate, thank goodness. His face grew serious as he returned her gaze, and they stopped in the middle of the rink. He pulled her into him, brushing his lips across hers. She relaxed into his body, looping her arms up around his neck. Just as William intensified the kiss, the sound of cheering from the skaters around them caused them to break off their embrace. He gave her a sheepish grin.
“Sorry,” she said.
He touched his finger to her lips as if to silence her. “Don’t be, Catherine. I don’t mind an audience if it means I get to kiss you.”
She laced her fingers through his once more and they made several loops around the rink. She enjoyed watching the families there: fathers teaching their daughters how to skate, sons showing off for their moms, and the occasional couple taking a spin around the rink, often hand-in-hand as she and William were. After an hour of easy conversation, several near falls, and lots of laps, she said, “How about some ice cream? There’s a great place down about a block.”
“Sounds delicious. I’m glad it’s unseasonably warm outside. Ice cream in December isn’t my usual thing.”
Cat chuckled. “Mine either, but I have a craving for some with chocolate chip cookie dough in it, and I’m going to go with it.”
“I like a woman who knows what she wants,” he said as they made their way off the ice.
She almost tripped getting to the bench to change back into their regular shoes and was thankful when William didn’t notice. Did she know what she wanted? It was easy to get caught up in it when she was with him. But this was a fantasy. Would a man like William have taken an interest in her if she hadn’t written him that way?
Just do as you said you’re doing with the ice cream, and go with it already.
They walked along the Downtown Mall. “My sister Caroline would love it here,” William said. “She loves artsy stuff and antiques. I’ll have to bring her down sometime to meet you.”
Family? He wanted her to meet his family? A jolt of panic hit her out of nowhere. I’m not ready for that. I don’t belong in his world. Not really. Or rather, he doesn’t belong in mine.
“She’d love you,” William continued. “You remind me of her, actually. Maybe that’s one of the reasons I was instantly attracted to you.”
He paused for a second as Cat raised an eyebrow at him. “Th-that came out wrong. I’m not attracted to my sister, not like that. I meant I feel comfortable with you because you’re like her. Except that I’m captivated by you in a way that I’m not by her, of course.” He blew out a long breath. “I’ll stop talking now.”
It thrilled Cat that she could fluster this man who walked with ease in the world of wealth and power. “I knew what you meant,” she said with a grin. “But it was fun to watch you try to get yourself out of that one.”
“Thanks a lot,” he said wryly as they entered the small gelato shop. “Every man wants to act the idiot in front of their lady.”
She snickered. At his confused look, she said, “Sorry. I was glad you didn’t call me your ‘old’ lady.”
William laughed. “Come on, you’re not that old. What are you, thirty? Thirty-two?”
“Thirty-five,” she said with a grimace.
“Hey, me, too,” he answered, and then gave his order to the young man behind the counter.
That brought Cat up short. They were the same age? He ran a company, owned his own private jet, and traveled regularly all around the world. What did she have to show for herself at thirty-five? A bookstore that was failing, a car with nearly one hundred thousand miles on it, and a cat that ate too much.
She gave her order. Accepting her ice cream, she licked at it without tasting it, suddenly dispirited. Eliza, she reminded herself. She had Eliza. And Eliza would remind her that William was not out of her league, because she’d created him for herself. She should enjoy him. Of course, that would be easier if she could trust that he liked her for her, not just because he was written that way.
“Shall we catch dinner, now that we’ve had dessert?” he asked before licking a bit of ice cream off his spoon.
“I can’t. That’s why I suggested the afternoon. I’m sorry, I should have told you. Eliza and I are hosting Santa Claus at the store this evening. In fact, I need to head back to get ready. Santa arrives at six o’clock.”
“Oh.” William looked nonplussed for a moment. “Okay, then. I’m glad to know, at least, that you don’t have another date,” he teased.
“Not with anyone over twelve, anyway,” she quipped as they walked back out on the Ped Mall.
They strolled for a bit in comfortable silence before William asked, “Do you need any help?”
“Really?” she said, surprised. “You’d be surrounded by lots of screaming children, many with runny noses.”
“Sounds delightful. I see why you want to host it.”
“Ha, ha. I don’t, except that it generates a fair number of sales. Give away a hot drink and candy canes, and parents usually feel guilty enough to buy something. We’ll take it.”
“That’s the spirit of the season,” he gibed as they reached her car. He opened her door for her. “You’re not going to make me wear an elf costume, are you? Because I don’t look good in pointy ears.”
Cat laughed out loud as she slid into the driver’s seat. “You’re in luck because we’re all out of elf wear in your size.” She eyed him speculatively. “You might make a good Mrs. Claus, though.”