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Winter was Annie Edison’s favorite time of year. Summer has been great, with the warm weather and all. And spring, with its constant rain. But winter? Nothing could be the feeling it brought to her heart.
Yes, winter was cold, harsh, and relentless, but there was something about it that just felt so comforting. It could be the warm hot chocolate that never fails to warm your insides. Even the bright yellow fairy lights that hung around the town center of her small town, Greendale, reminded her of home.
Tonight was one of those nights as she works the night shift at the local ice-skating rink alongside her best friend, Britta Perry. It was one of the things she looked forward to each year. It was the perfect chance to be out and experience the feeling of smiles and laughter as everybody skated across the baby blue ice. Looking out from her spot at the register, she could spot couples as they held hands and children who hung to their parents for dear life. Despite the abundant happiness, sometimes she envied it.
Annie sighed when suddenly a voice spoke.
“Long night?”
Annie whipped her head to a man standing in front of her, looking up at him. Standing in front of her register was a tall man. He must have been at least six-four. He was handsome too, with his neatly trimmed beard, dressed in his sweats, black puff jacket, and a perfect fit seahawks beanie. But that wasn’t all; just beside him was a blonde boy holding his hand tightly. It was a sight that made her heart slightly thaw.
It felt like a lifetime before she answered, cheeks now pink (and not from the cold).
Behind her, Britta was snickering.
“Something like that.” Annie mumbled before shaking her head at the handsome stranger. “Now, enough about me, how can I help you?” The man smiled at her, and for the second time, she felt herself heating up by the second. After their brief, albeit awkward interaction, everything went smoothly, though at the end, Annie felt a twinge of disappointment that he left so early. As she checked him in and gave him his receipt (noticing no ring on his finger), she swore she saw something flash across his features, as if he wanted to say something, before he left towards the rink.
“Wow.” Britta was now side by side with her. “We really need to help you get laid.”
“Britta!” Annie scowled. A second passed before she let out a big huff. “Fine, it’s been a while, okay? And before you say anything, it’s not about the sex for me, I just want someone who cares enough about me.”
Britta’s expression softened. “And you think that guy out there could be the one?”
“He is cute. And his son is adorable too.” Annie said sheepishly. Britta shook her head at her friend, whose heart was so full but an idea came to mind when she looked out to the rink where the handsome mysterious stranger was. The man was ice skating but was wobbly before landing on his bottom, his son was giggling at him.
Pathetic. But cute.
“I have just the idea.” Britta spoke aloud, looking over at Annie with a gleam in her eye. With her plan in mind, she threw Annie her coat and pushed her outside towards the rink.
____________
He knew damn well he shouldn’t have gone ice skating. But there was no other option. Jeff smiled slightly, despite the pain on his rear end.
It was like every other work day, a bunch of paperwork and phone calls, when suddenly his son, Sebastian, had barged into his office, asking him, no, practically begging him to go skating. And being the man, the father that he is, there was no way he could say no. Hell, his kids deserved the world, and if that meant falling on his ass all night, so be it. A part of him felt like it was a result of growing up under the roof of his abusive father, but sometimes he was glad that he grew up like that because, without it, he wouldn’t have known what not to do as a father.
All he cared about was seeing his little boy happy. Jeff cheered up at the thought of this when he suddenly saw a familiar woman stop in front, her palm open to him. It was the same woman at the register earlier. Jeff’s heart sped up (and it wasn’t because of his age).
“I’m pretty bad at this aren’t I?” Jeff chuckled.
The woman giggled, helping him get back on his feet. The fact that he was six-four made it difficult, but before he knew it, he was back on his skates.
“Trust me I’ve seen worse.” Now it was Jeff's turn to smile before suddenly remembering that he never thanked her. “I’m sorry but I don’t think I got your name?”
“Annie.” She says, trying to ignore the goosebumps she feels as he looks down at her. His blue eyes were hypnotizing.
“I’m Jeff. It’s nice to meet you, Annie.” Jeff offers his hand, and she slips her gloved hands into his. “Thanks again for the help, I know I’m a bit of a hazard out here. See, even my son agrees.” Jeff looks over to Sebastian, who nods, his eyes gleaming. Annie’s heart melts at the two, and it only makes Annie fall for him harder.
“It’s true. I stopped counting twenty minutes ago.”
“You’ve been counting how many times I fall.” Jeff cried indignantly, but his heart was so full of love. Annie could tell by just simply watching the two of them banter. She could listen to them all day, but there was something that she wanted to ask, and there was no better time.
“How about I give you some tips? I used to figure skate when I was younger.” Jeff seemed put off by her request, and her heart shattered to pieces. She willed her eyes to close, to hopefully soften the blow. But little did she know, Jeff was looking over at Sebastian, who was giving him a thumbs up as if telling his dad to go.
“You know what, I’d like that.” Jeff responded, making her open her eyes, surprised. The look that he gave her sent a chill down her back. Their gazes linger for longer than deemed appropriate. Sebastian shook his head at his father, looking between them. Annie coughs to clear the deafening silence and finally pulls Jeff along. “Come on, let’s go a few rounds…around the rink I mean!”
Sebastian gagged as they skated off.
They spent the next fifteen minutes running over the basics of ice skating. Enough that Jeff wasn't taking anyone out around him and just enough so that he could stand on his two feet. After some time, he finally got the hang of it, despite the nasty wipeouts that made Annie double over, including times Jeff pulled her down with him, leaving the both of them in a laughing bunch.
After their rounds, they finally agreed that it was time to turn in their skates. It was now getting late, and Sebastian was getting sleepy. It was the downside of having so much fun, from skating to seeing his dad smile all night. Jeff handed in their skates to Annie behind the counter, and their eyes lingered. There was so much there, Sebastian could tell.
“Dad, I’m gonna go wait outside in the car.” Jeff nodded, and Sebastian went off towards the exit, giving his father and Annie one last wave. Jeff swore his son winked at him before leaving him and Annie alone.
“I…” Annie began.
“I…” Jeff spoke next, causing them both to fall into a fit of laughter. It had been a while since he had a genuinely fun time like tonight, and he only hoped that there was a chance they could do it again. Despite these feelings, Jeff had a tug in his heart that told him that he was a single father, and it tore him to know that this woman in front of him could do so much better.
Annie could read him, his sad smile and his blank expression. It made her heart sink suddenly like ice water washing over her. Annie let out an exasperated breath and could only force the next few words out. “It was nice meeting you, Jeff.”
“You too, Annie.” With a sad smile, Jeff pushed himself away from the counter.
She counts three long beats before coming around to the other side of the counter and calling out after him. “Jeff! Wait!”
She walks up to him, their height is evident more than ever. “I had a really nice time tonight, Jeff.” Annie began.
“Me too.” he says, hands in his pockets. Annie huffs as he cuts her off and his lack of attempt, which makes a small smile tug at his mouth.
“Look, what I’m trying to ask you if you’d like to go to dinner sometime? Somewhere not ice-related?” She added
Her small joke got a laugh out of him, making her release a breath. He gave her a blinding smile, his eyes crinkling slightly just like she loved. He brushes a tendril of hair behind her ear and replied. “I’d love that.”
As Jeff slowly retreats, Annie blows him a small kiss, now comfortable and excited.
When he nearly bumps into a nearby trashcan, she lifts an eyebrow at him, but he just shakes his head.
“Dad!” Sebastian shouts from the exit.
“Coming!” Jeff shouts back. He looks at her and whispers, “I’ll see you later,” giving her one last lingering look and a wink.