Echoes of Deciet (Book 1)

Grace on Ice

On a chilly winter afternoon, AJ and Riley decided to lace up their ice skates and take to the frozen pond for an afternoon of ice skating. The ice glistened in the soft, golden winter sunlight, inviting them to glide across its surface.

Riley, who had grown up rollerblading and was naturally athletic, took to ice skating with ease. Her movements were graceful and fluid as she effortlessly glided across the ice. She twirled and spun, her brown hair catching the sunlight like a halo.

AJ, on the other hand, was a bit rusty. It had been a while since he had been on ice skates, and he wobbled as he tried to find his balance. He watched Riley's graceful figure with awe and admiration, a blush creeping onto his cheeks.

He tried to focus on his own skating, pushing himself to regain his balance and find his rhythm. But every time he glanced at Riley, he couldn't help but be captivated by her beauty and grace.

Riley noticed AJ's struggle and skated over to him, a warm smile on her face. "You okay there?" she asked, extending her hand to help steady him.

AJ gratefully took her hand, feeling a rush of warmth at her touch. He chuckled, a bit embarrassed. "I'm getting there. You're amazing, though."

Riley grinned and gave him a playful wink. "Well, practice makes perfect. I'll help you get the hang of it."

As they continued to skate together, AJ's heart raced not just from the exertion but from the undeniable attraction he felt for Riley. Watching her glide with such grace, he couldn't help but think that she was the most beautiful sight he had ever seen on ice.

With a grateful nod, AJ agreed to take a break from the ice. They made their way to a nearby concession stand, where they warmed up with steaming cups of hot chocolate.

As they sipped the rich, creamy cocoa and felt the warmth spread through their bodies, Riley smiled contentedly. "You know," she began, "I absolutely love moments like this."

AJ looked at her, his blue eyes meeting her green ones. "Moments like what?"

Riley gestured around them, indicating the winter wonderland they found themselves in. "Moments like this, where we can just enjoy the simple pleasures of life. The snow, the ice skating, and now this hot chocolate. It's about appreciating the little things, you know?"

AJ nodded, understanding exactly what she meant. He smiled warmly. "You're right. Sometimes, we get so caught up in our busy lives that we forget to slow down and savor these moments."

Riley reached across the table and gently squeezed AJ's hand. "That's why I'm so glad we have each other, AJ. You make these moments even more special."

His heart swelled with affection for her. "And you make every moment special, Riley."

They sat there, enjoying their hot chocolate and each other's company, savoring the warmth of the moment and the love that bound them together, one simple and beautiful winter day at a time.