"This place is fantastic," she'd told Mark.
"One of London's many secrets. Now that I've revealed one, it's your turn.
Ladies' choice."
"For starters, I've never been ice skating so if that's why we're here..."
Mark had smacked his forehead comically. "But you came from the greater New
York metropolitan area. Surely, you've been to Rockefeller Center."
"Only to laugh when people fall."
"Well, darling, it's time for the laugher to become the laughee."
"Those are not real words, you know. You're pretty inarticulate for a lawyer." As usual, Mark had taken her barbs in stride. "No stalling, Miss MacAdams.
We're going on that ice together. It's romantic, it's scenic, it's London at its best."
He glanced at her, realizing he hadn't won her over yet.
"You shall not fall," he assured her.
"Do we need to sign a waiver?"
Mark placed both hands on her shoulders and looked her squarely in the eye. "It will be my mission to ensure that one Alexis MacAdams does not fall on her perfectly shaped bum. An Englishman's honor."
He held up two fingers like a Scout.
"I think a bit of history will tell you everything you need to know about an
Englishman's honor," Alexis quipped.
Mark's hands flew to his chest in mock injury and she laughed at his antics, never imagining what the future held for them.
She managed to make it once around the rink without falling over. They were both too wrapped up in each other's company. Alexis recalled making a great effort to stay upright with Mark's hand supporting her waist. Just as she began to believe that all was well, she lost her balance and landed straight on her bottom. Mark immediately reached down and pulled her back up.
"Ten second rule," he said. "Doesn't count as a fall."
Alexis broke into a grin so wide that she could still feel it on her cheeks when she thought about it.
Alexis squeezed her eyes closed, unwilling to remember any more. Overwhelmed by a surge of emotion, she nearly keeled over. Thankfully, Tyler caught her by the elbow before she could topple and embarrass herself.
"One whiskey too many?" he joked.
"I'm sorry," she whispered. "I'm just tired. I haven't been sleeping well."
"Now it's my turn to be sorry," he remarked. "I practically kept you out at gunpoint."
"Don't be sorry," she told him. "I haven't been sleeping well for a long time. I have anxiety dreams." She felt silly saying it out loud. Before now, she'd only told her therapist who recommended sleeping pills. Alexis made no more appointments after that.
She didn't want pills.