Today we could pretend that we were a real couple, that we had a future together. We walked toward the ice rink, getting in line to pay for skates. Then we sat on a nearby bench to put them on.
We set our things underneath the bench and then hobbled toward the gate to the rink. It had been a while since I skated, but I didn't think I'd forgotten the basics.
He held out his hand, and I took it, letting him lead me onto the ice.
We both laughed as I slipped on the first step. We moved slowly at first, then gathered confidence, gliding with ease. We took a few circles on the rink before pausing for Cooper to grab hot chocolate from a vendor.
"This is the perfect day." The air was crisp and cold, the overhead speakers played holiday music, and there was a large, decorated tree at one end of the rink.
Cooper placed his arm around me and set my to-go cup of hot chocolate on the seat next to me. Then he lifted my chin and kissed me.
There were so many people around I wasn't worried about anyone saying anything to us. He pulled back slowly and said, "I love you."
"I love you too."
"Aunt Aspen!" Ayla cried as she ran over to us.
My heart raced, and I looked around for Angela. She stood a few steps behind her daughter, her winter jacket open over her belly. Hudson stood next to her, looking surprised.
I attempted a smile. "Ayla, are you here to ice skate too?"
She lifted her rental skates in response. "Are you going back out?"
"I'm not sure." Cooper was tense next to me, and I wasn't sure if he wanted to run as quickly as he could away from this situation.
Hudson touched Ayla's shoulder. "Ayla, go by your mother. She can help you put on your skates."
Ayla gave him a look. "She can't tie her own shoes because her belly is so big."
Hudson gave her a look, and she moved toward her mother, leaving us alone.
Cooper stood. "I can explain?—"
I tried to stand but wobbled on my blades. This time, Cooper didn't reach out a hand to steady me, and my stomach dropped.
Hudson's eyes flashed with anger, but he lowered his voice. "Want to explain why you were kissing my little sister?"
"I'm not your little—" I began, disgust tinging my voice, when Hudson stopped me with a glare.
"Cooper owes me an explanation."
I sighed, then waited for Cooper to respond. There was no getting out of this. Hudson had seen us kissing.
"I was wrong. I shouldn't be here." Then Cooper reached down and grabbed his shoes wobbling away from us.
Hudson's gaze swung to me. "What the hell were you thinking? You single-handedly just blew up our business. This new venture of yours was a bad idea.”
"What are you talking about?" I asked, a little taken aback by the ferocity in his tone.
He waved his hand at me, his lip curled in disgust. "I'm sure this is fun for you, but this is our livelihood, our business."
"Nothing has to change—" I began.
"Cooper was hooking up with you behind our backs. We trusted him, and he betrayed us."
I swallowed down the words I'd said so easily just a few short minutes ago.
I loved Cooper.