On Thin Ice

The next morning, the blizzard had passed, leaving the world covered in pristine, blinding white powder.

"Activity time!" Lars announced at breakfast. "A scavenger hunt on the lake. Couples teams. The winner gets the first bottle of my family’s private reserve Aquavit."

"And the loser?" Ben whispered to Elena.

"Gets frozen in the ice like a caveman," Elena whispered back.

They strapped on ice skates at the edge of the frozen lake. Elena was wobbly. She hadn't skated since middle school. Ben, annoying, laced up his skates and glided onto the ice with the grace of a hockey player.

"Show off," Elena muttered, gripping the railing.

"Come on, CEO," Ben held out his hands. "Trust me. I won't let you fall."

Elena took his hands. He pulled her onto the ice.

They spent the next hour chasing clues. They found a pinecone near the boat house. They found a specific rock by the pier. They were laughing, red-cheeked and breathless.

The final clue was in the center of the lake.

"Race you!" Ben shouted, skating backward.

"Ben, be careful!" Elena laughed, pushing off to chase him.

She gained speed. She was actually doing it. She was skating. She felt light, free, unburdened by the weight of *Nook*.

Then, her toe pick caught a rut in the ice.

"Whoa!"

She pitched forward.

Ben reacted instantly. He lunged, catching her by the waist.

The momentum spun them around. They didn't fall, but they collided. hard.

Elena slammed into Ben’s chest. He wrapped his arms around her to steady them. They skid to a halt in the center of the lake.

They were panting. Their faces were inches apart. Cold air, hot breath.

"Gotcha," Ben breathed.

Elena looked up at him. His eyes were dilated. His lips were parted.

The crowd on the shore—Lars and his family—started cheering.

"Kiss her!" someone shouted.

Ben looked at the crowd, then back at Elena. "We have to sell it," he whispered.

"Right," Elena whispered. "Sell it."

Ben leaned down.

Elena expected a peck. A stage kiss.

She did not expect Ben to cup her face in his gloved hands and kiss her like he was drowning and she was oxygen.

It was soft at first, then deep, hungry, and overwhelming. It tasted like coffee and cold air. Elena’s hands found their way around his neck, tangling in the hair at the nape of his neck. She forgot about Lars. She forgot about the contract. She melted into him, her body humming with a feeling she had suppressed for decades.

When they finally broke apart, Ben rested his forehead against hers. He was shaking slightly.

"Was that..." Elena started, her voice breathless. "Was that good enough for them?"

Ben pulled back. He looked dazed. He looked terrified.

"Yeah," he croaked. "I think they bought it."

He skated away toward the shore, leaving her standing alone on the ice, her heart hammering a hole in her chest.

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