Keeping London (The Flawed Heart Series Book 2) by Ellie Wade Page A

arms.
    “Well, actually, it’s a great story. Remember a couple of weeks ago when I wrote about that three-legged dog named Scooter and how he showed up missing from that animal rescue farm down in Monroe?”
    “Yeah?”
    “Well,” London says happily, “he was found!”
    “Really?”
    “Yes, he must have wandered off or something. They found him in the woods about a mile away from the farm. He had fallen in a hole and couldn’t climb out. A little three-year-old boy was out on a walk with his grandma and actually heard him whimpering. They knew about the three-legged pup that’d been missing, so they drove him to the farm. But they loved the little pup so much that they’re going to adopt him. Isn’t that so sweet?”
    “That is,” I agree.
    “Yeah, a photographer from work went out to the farm and snapped some pics of the little boy, his family, and the puppy. So, now, I just have to write the story to go along with the photos. I love writing these feel-good pieces.”
    “That’s great, babe. I can’t wait to read it.” I smile down at my hot little journalist. Changing the subject, I ask, “How was Paige’s birthday?”
    “Oh, it was great. Dancing, drinks, all that jazz. I think she had fun.” She places her palms on my face and pulls me into a kiss.
    Her lips, as always, are perfect. Plump, sweet, and so kissable. I could get lost in her kisses.
    I reluctantly pull away. “How are you feeling? You hungover?”
    London scoffs, “Uh, no.” She jovially pushes my chest away and reaches down to save whatever she was working on before shutting her laptop down. “Why do you ask?”
    “I don’t know. You went out drinking for Paige’s birthday. I just figured it had gotten a little crazy.” I shrug.
    “Well, for your information, I do have some self-control.” She pouts out her lips and narrows her eyes. “Plus, I didn’t want to feel tired today. I don’t want to waste any of these last few days with you by feeling icky, you know?”
    “That’s good because I have a surprise for you.” My lips turn up in a smile.
    “Oh, no. That look is never followed by anything good,” she teases.
    “Would you stop acting like everything we do is torture?” I chuckle. “You always protest, but then you end up having a great time. You know, I think you are addicted to complaining.”
    “I am not! I’m just not as outdoorsy as you.” She turns her face, her gaze finding the window. “Plus, it’s so cold outside,” she says with a sigh. “You know I hate being cold.”
    “Well, suck it up, buttercup.”
    “All right.” Her tone’s resigned. “What should I wear for this surprise?”
    “Something warm and comfortable, maybe stretchy.”
    “Stretchy? What are we doing?”
    “You’ll see. Just get ready.” I grin, playfully shooing her away.
    “Okay, okay. I have about five minutes of work to do on this article before I can send it in, and then I’m on it.”

    “An ice rink?” London asks as we pull into the Ann Arbor rink.
    “Yeah. Since I’m going to be gone before the lakes freeze, I thought it would be fun to go ice-skating here.”
    “Hmm…interesting.”
    “Now, before you go complaining, just give it a chance.”
    We exit my truck and head toward the rink.
    “It’s fun, I promise. You’ll get the hang of it relatively soon, and I’ll hold your hand until you do, okay?”
    “All right, I guess I can try,” London says, not sounding too convinced.
    “Thank you, babe. That’s all I ask.”
    Once inside, we rent some skates and put them on.
    “You know, they have these little walker-type things for kids just learning how to skate, but I don’t think they have any tall enough for you,” I say with a smirk.
    “Ha-ha,” she says, not sounding amused. “I think I’ll be okay.”
    “There you go. You’ll do great.”
    I hold London’s hand as we step onto the ice. It’s currently open skate, the rink is open for the public, but only two other people are on the