Writing A Wrong (Write Stuff 2)

At least this time I fell on top of Alec, so my fall was slightly cushioned. Well, as cushioned as his rock-hard chest would allow. "I think I'm done with the whole skating thing," I said, finding myself once again horizontal with the ice.

"Told you I wouldn't let you fall on your butt." He chuckled, sounding amused by his comment. "Maybe we should have gone sledding. At least then we would have already been sitting." Instead of trying to scramble to his feet again, Alec scooted us backward toward the edge of the rink. He cracked me up as he attempted to maneuver around an elderly couple who had no problem staying upright. Several other skaters laughed as they detoured around us, but Alec was more concerned with getting off the ice.

Once we made it to the edge of the rink, we crawled to a nearby bench and pulled off our skates. They were no longer as fun as when we laced them on a half hour ago. "Well, that was an adventure," I quipped, tugging my boots onto my feet. I was just grateful to be able to stand without fearing for my life.

Alec shuddered, turning around to brush off his cute hiney that was slightly wet from dragging us across the ice. "I think my ass has frostbite."

I snorted. "You'd still be handsome, even assless," I deadpanned.

He grunted, slinging an arm across my shoulders. "Did any of that translate into romance? I mean, the idea was to dance across the ice hand in hand as the envy of every other couple there."

"Well, we sure didn't make anyone envious out there, but we definitely attracted plenty of attention." We had to laugh at ourselves and at least we could mark ice skating in Central Park off our bucket list. "How about we share a slice of pizza? That's what I call romantic." Originally, I also had the idea to take a horse-drawn carriage ride through Central Park, but after watching the poor horses in traffic with all the cars and horns, I just couldn't stomach it. It seemed more sad than romantic.

"One slice? We need to make up for our pathetic display on the ice. I say we do a whole pie."

"Fine, a whole pizza. Remi said there's a fabulous place close by on the East Side."

He balked slightly. "No offense to Remi, but her palate seems to run toward finer cuisine. The kind of pizza I want shouldn't be fancy. I don't want some specialty cheese or any oddball, eccentric toppings."

"Her exact description was that it's a hole in the wall that looks like it should have probably been condemned years ago, but she swears the pizza is so good it'll make you weep. I'd take that as a pretty good endorsement."

"Fine," he conceded. "Fair warning though, if there's so much as a linen napkin on the table, we're out of there."

"Fair enough." I pulled one of my gloves off so I could find the directions on my phone. Smartphones were truly amazing. I'm not sure how people functioned without them. I shuddered at the thought of trying to last one day without mine. My attachment to my iPhone was a constant source of entertainment for everyone. Riley liked to tease me and say that if he cut off my hand, an iPhone would grow back in its place.

Alec and I took our time strolling to the pizza joint. Coming from Florida where everything was green pretty much all year long, it was almost eerie to see all the barren trees. Alec liked it, but it creeped me out a little. They seemed so naked without leaves. Maybe if we had been here in the fall when all the leaves were pretty oranges and reds, that would have been something to see. Even a fresh snowfall would have improved the view during our stroll. As it was, the ground was covered in dirty snow piles that hid any kind of organic life. Growing up, my exposure to snow had been limited, but anytime I had been around it, the snow was always pristine white. I'm sure if I lived here my attitude would be different and just like every other New Yorker who probably preferred the snow to be swiftly shoveled off the streets and sidewalks.

Dead leaves, devoid of any color, crunched under our feet, turning into dust that blew away around our feet. I purposefully walked over each one I could, loving the sound they made beneath my boots.

The best part of the walk was the conversation. Olivia was my best friend who knew all my secrets, but Alec was my equal on so many levels. We both saw things in similar ways and shared many points of view. We had a comfortable rapport. It really didn't matter what we were talking about. I missed that when we were apart—someone who got me on almost every single level.

The small pizza establishment was crowded when we arrived, but we were able to snag a metal table outside that was at least cleared of snow. The metal chairs were almost like sitting on blocks of ice from the brisk temperatures, but the pizza was every bit as good as Remi claimed. Even though my teeth chattered occasionally, Alec and I lingered over our lunch, enjoying every second of our time together. In a few short hours he would have to leave to catch his flight home. We both knew that this last bit of time would have to do until I returned home in March, but neither of us reminded ourselves.

Despite my desire to hold on to them, the hours inevitably disappeared. No matter how much I dragged my feet or how slow our pace. That was the thing about time, it could drag when you least wanted it to and fly by when you wanted to savor it. And try as you might, you can never beat it. Time was a bitch, void of feelings. Greg offered to take Alec to the airport, and I insisted on tagging along. Saying goodbye at the hotel seemed wrong.

The traffic was thick and gnarly as if it was trying to do us a favor. Not that Greg wasn't maneuvering strategically from one lane to the next like I'd experienced before. We arrived at the airport with plenty of time to spare before Alec's flight. Greg pulled up to the curb at the terminal, staying behind the wheel while Alec and I said our goodbyes.

"I'm sorry you have to work back-to-back weekends to make up for this," I said, blinking my eyes rapidly from the moisture collecting in them.

Alec pulled me tightly against him. "It was worth it. I only wish I could have arranged more time off."

I nodded my head against his chest. "Me too. I'm almost glad I leave on the Love Bus tomorrow. I could use the distraction."

"You're going to have fun," he said, stroking his hand down my back. "It'll be like a slumber party every single night. Don't hesitate to text me pictures if a pillow fight breaks out."

A watery giggle bubbled up through me. "You're such a guy."

He tilted my chin up. "I love you, babe. Hurry home so we can play house."

I almost cringed a bit at his words. We had just spent two glorious—but short—days together and for some reason I still got uptight at the thought of what waited back home. I had no idea what was wrong with me. I loved Alec for crap's sake, which should mean I was ready for the whole package. Wanting a happily ever meant accepting all the responsibilities of an adult relationship. Not just the sex, earth shattering as it may be. My conflicting emotions were screwing with my head. I wanted to latch on to Alec and never let go, but I also wanted to push him away and tell him I needed my space. Who would have ever thought the words playing house would freak me out so much?

Alec peered deeply into my eyes as if he were searching my soul. Could he see my fear? I hoped not. The last thing I wanted was for him to second-guess my feelings for him. Whatever was going on in my head was my problem, not his. "Are you okay?"

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"I'm just going to miss you," I answered honestly, dragging his mouth to mine. Our tongues danced for a moment before we pulled away. A stray tear escaped, rolling down my cheek.

Alec wiped the tear away, warming my cheek with his hand. "I believe in you." He lifted his bag and hoisted it over his shoulder, taking the initiative to walk away.