awkward.

“Only if you’re sure - those plans almost sound better.” She giggled as she stood, shrugging. In fact, Hope’s plans sounded absolutely perfect, but Trinity wasn’t thinking about doing them alone. “Although there is this adorable little shop I found the other day, I’d love to show you.”

Hope smiled. “I’d really love that,” she replied.

“I feel good.” She smiled, pulling her skates off as she spoke. “I feel like I’m not just…. not falling, I feel like I almost look decent out there.” Trinity laughed, slipping into her flats. “Hey - do you…. do you want to get a coffee? Or something? Or do you have another class, or something?”

@hopexabbott

“Honestly, after you I was going to lock up and eat some cookie dough ice cream and watch a chick flick at my apartment,” she said with a small blush appearing on her face in embarrassment. “So, I guess I can cancel those plans with myself and go out to coffee with you.”

“I hope they haven’t been too much trouble.”

“No, no, they’ve been perfect, don’t worry about it.”

“But she’s really good.” Elgin frowned slightly. He didn’t realize quite how difficult figure skating could be.

“Yes, but she can get hurt. I’m sticking it on this age restriction, Elgin. Once she’s old enough, I promise that we can put her into whatever class you want that she can handle.”

“Well that’s more than some of us can say?”

“No, I’m sure you keep it together when you’re doing something you like and are good at?”

“Who isn’t, right? I don’t think any of us really have it all together.”

“I really think that I can only keep everything together when I’m on the ice.”

“Glad to hear it. Ice skating seems to be all the girls can talk about these days.”

“I’m glad,” she replied. “They’re progressing well.”

“What do you mean?” Elgin frowned. “I’ll hold her hands the entire time. And let her go all ham with the skates.”

“Yeah, but she can’t skate with my advanced figure skating class,” Hope replied. “No matter how ham she goes on the skates. “She has to stay with the tots till she’s old enough.”

Marnie smiled, “Of course. I’d love to. It’s a lot colder than I had anticipated, today.”

“And I thought Massachusetts was cold,” she replied. “At least we’re not in Alaska though, right?”

“That sounds backwards to me.” Trinity laughed. “But you’re the expert, so I’m trusting you.” She smiled, letting Hope lead her toward the ice. “Are you sure you can make a promise like that? I mean, you’ve seen me skate, sometimes it defies gravity.”

“I can’t promise, but I know I can try my best. Besides, you’re really getting the hang of it, I’m sure I don’t even need to make sure you won’t fall,” she replied. She stepped onto the ice and held out her hand. “Do you trust me?” 

“Well, I’m glad you did.” She grinned, her breath catching as Hope grabbed her hand. Her eyes flicked down, loving the way their hands looked intertwined the way they were. It was beautiful, and her stomach flipped. “Oh, I don’t know - doesn’t that make it slipperier? I’m not very good as it is.”

“Yeah it makes it slipperier,” Hope replied, “but it also makes it easier to skate on because your blades don’t get stuck in any crevasses. Don’t worry, I won’t let you fall.”