𝐥𝐨𝐬𝐭

forty nine

Delphine

I'd just wrapped up a grueling session, and the faint ache in my muscles felt like a victory.

With each push on the ice, every perfected twist and turn, I was grounding myself again.

The rink was almost empty now, the early morning chill lingering in the air, crisp and biting. I tugged off my gloves, letting the coolness seep into my skin as I walked toward the exit.

And then, out of the corner of my eye, I spotted him—Kaiden, casually perched on one of the benches by the rink's edge, focused on lacing up his skates. He hadn't noticed me yet, completely absorbed in the task, his fingers weaving the thick black laces with effortless ease.

His head was bent, the faint shadow of stubble along his jaw catching the light. Somehow, he made even something as routine as tying his skates seem confident, like he was completely at ease in his own skin.

I hesitated, a strange mix of anticipation and nerves fluttering in my chest. My gaze drifted to the exit, but my feet carried me toward him instead, each step echoing quietly across the rink.

His head lifted, a slight smirk already curving his lips when he noticed me coming. "Early start?" he asked, raising an eyebrow in that way of his that always seemed to be a little challenging, a little amused.

I rolled my eyes. "Early finish," I replied coolly, though the hint of a smile tugged at my own lips. My fingers toyed with the edges of my gloves, a subtle way to channel the restless energy building inside me. I was good at keeping my expression neutral, but my pulse was racing, and I knew he could probably tell.

There was a beat of silence between us, his gaze lingering on me as if he were waiting for something. I took a slow breath, steadying myself, and met his eyes with a level stare. "Tomorrow night," I said, keeping my voice as casual as I could manage. "Seven-thirty."

Kaiden's eyes widened for a split second, a flicker of surprise breaking through his usual composure. It wasn't much, but it was enough to give me a small, quiet thrill. Then he regained his balance, and that look in his eyes shifted into something warmer, something more intent, like he was seeing right through my calm facade.

"Tomorrow night, huh?" He leaned back slightly, that trademark grin settling back onto his face. "Guess I'll just have to pick somewhere impressive enough for the great Delphine." His tone was playful, teasing, but I could hear the undercurrent of sincerity beneath it.

"Don't get ahead of yourself," I shot back, my voice sharper than I meant it, though there was no real bite in my words. But he didn't take the bait, just kept watching me with that easy confidence, like he had all the time in the world.

He straightened up and ran a hand through his hair, letting out a low, thoughtful hum. "I'll be ready," he said, a hint of something soft in his voice that I couldn't quite place. It was like he was seeing right through my shielded expression, recognizing the hesitation I hadn't shown him before. It was infuriating and strangely comforting all at once.

I nodded, glancing away to break the intensity of his gaze. "Good," I replied simply, letting the word hang in the air for a moment. I turned to leave, but I felt his eyes on me the entire way, that faint smile still lingering in my mind even as I walked away.

The cold air hit me as I stepped outside, my breath curling in the chilly morning light. I tugged my gloves back on, stuffing my hands in my pockets as I headed back to my dorm. Despite the familiar ache of exhaustion from training, I felt lighter, a quiet sense of anticipation warming me against the cold.

Tomorrow night.

It was only a few words, a small promise, but it felt like something bigger—a step into the unknown, something I hadn't allowed myself to even consider in so long.

And yet, the thought of Kaiden's easy, open smile stayed with me, lingering like a spark in the back of my mind.

I wasn't used to letting my guard down, to opening myself up. But maybe, just maybe, I could let myself trust this. Trust him.