Page 26 of A Curvy Carol

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.”

15

CAROLYNN

Iwas exhausted by the time I got home.

The last few days had been like nothing else I’d ever experienced in my life, in a good way, but after all that ice-skating I was wiped out.

I showered, pulled on my favorite pajamas, and then promptly got into bed, wondering if Whit was just as tired as I was. I smiled at the memory of him learning to skate. Most guys would have been too macho to struggle something new like that, but he stuck with it until he could make a lap around the ice on his own.

Our list peeked out from my crafting bag at the foot of the bed. I reached over and grabbed it.

There were only two items left? How was that possible?

I tucked the notebook back and then lay there for a while just thinking about how quickly this Christmas season had gone by so far. I’d been so hesitant to even agree to this whole thing. Now I didn’t want it to end, although I wouldn’t admit that to my parents. I hardly wanted to admit it to myself.

An ache filled my chest, and I realized I was really going to miss hanging out with Whit when all of this was over. I was sure we’d be in some of the same classes at school, but I had a feeling it wouldn’t be the same. Especially not with so many other girls around. He was so handsome I was sure he’d have plenty of options. And if history told me anything, I was last on any guy’s list.

Even knowing that, I couldn’t help but hope for more. I played the last several days in my mind, smiling at the memories.

This had been the best Christmas I’d had in a long time, even if Christmas was still two days away. He’d taken all of the pressure off of the holiday and off of the crazy dynamic with my parents.

It was like, even though he’d been a perfect stranger, he’d made things perfect. Had been perfect.

Already, I didn’t want to think about next Christmas without him. He was so easy to talk to. Was I crazy to hope he felt the same?

I grabbed my phone from my nightstand and texted him. Hopefully, he was still up.

Carolynn: Tomorrow is Christmas Eve. Can you believe it?

A minute later, three little dots began moving up and down on the screen, letting me know he was still awake and about to reply. I smiled, looking forward to his message.

Whit: Time flies when you’re having fun.

A warm feeling spread in my chest. He was enjoying himself too.

Carolynn: We have just two items left on the list.

Whit: Really? Already? What are they?

I checked the list beside me before I began typing.

Carolynn: We’ve got to get an ornament from The Nutcracker. Then we can paint snowflakes on our nails at Vixen’s.