Ripped by Lisa Edward Page B

to make the most of it. I’d thought a lot about what Jaz had said when we had spoken about moving in together. While I was ready to jump straight back in I had to respect that she wasn’t. We needed to take it slow, get to know each other again, and what better way to do that then to go on a date and show Jaz my beloved New York City at the same time?
    Skipping up the front steps and rapping out a tune on the hardwood door, I blew into my numb hands as I waited for the door to be answered. I wished I’d worn gloves, as my hot breath revived my fingertips; it was going to be cold where I planned on taking Jaz today.
    Jaz stepped out onto the porch in her puffy jacket and jeans. “Ready.” She chirped.
    “You’ll need gloves, a scarf, and maybe even a beanie,” I told her.
    Her eyes widened. “Where are we going?” She looked at my attire. “You don’t have gloves or a scarf.”
    “No, and I wish I did.” I tucked my hands under my arms to warm them.
    “Wait there.” Jaz darted back inside, leaving the door ajar. I stuck my head through the gap to take in the décor of a foyer that looked like it hadn’t seen a paintbrush for at least fifty years. Who were these people that Jaz was living with? Sure they must be decent enough to take her in, but this place was so rundown on the inside it could easily be mistaken for an abandoned building.
    Jaz bounded back down the rickety stairs. “Here.” She thrust a pair of brown woolen gloves in my hand and a long red scarf. “This is the best I could do on short notice, but they’re better than nothing.” I quickly wrapped the warm red scarf around my neck as Jaz pulled a pale blue beanie onto her head that matched her gloves and scarf.
    We walked the ten minutes to Grand Street station, our pace increasing with every step. “So where are we going?” Jaz beamed up at me, and I had to bite my tongue to stop from blurting out the answer. I knew she would love what I had planned for her today.
    Back in Boston, this time of year was her favorite for two reasons. There was nothing more beautiful than the tree-lined streets as the brown, yellow, and red leaves fell from their limbs. And if there was one thing that Jaz was good at, almost as good as dancing, it was ice skating.
    As we neared our stop I couldn’t contain my own excitement any longer. Jaz had guessed what we were doing—at least for the first part of the date—so was up and waiting by the doors as our ride came to a stop at Rockefeller Centre Station.
    “Ice skating,” she squealed before throwing her arms around my neck. “I can’t believe you remembered I love this so much.”
    Of course I’d remembered. I was like a freaking elephant who never forgot a thing, which provided me with some unbelievable memories of our time together, but which had also plagued me with heartbreaking hours of reminiscing over what I’d lost. But that was then. As Jaz grabbed my gloved hand and dragged me to the ice rink, I told myself to let it all go. This was my reality now, not the wishing and hoping, or the cursing what a dumbass I’d been for leaving when I did instead of waiting the two years for Jaz to graduate. This was real. That heart-shaped face that was flushed with excitement and exertion from trying to drag me as I resisted just a little. The undeniable joy in her beaming smile when she finally spied the ice and the enormous gold statue that stood sentry over the rink. The hotness of her breath as she once again threw her arms around my neck and pulled me down to her height so she could warm my lips with her own. This was it, and I was determined to let go of the hurt and anger of the past six years and live for now, for Jaz, for however long that may be.
    “This is perfect!” She glanced around, her eyes taking everything in until she found the skate rental sign. “Over there.” She pointed one pale blue gloved finger. “Let’s go.”
    I had to admit—I’d never been that great at