“I know Dad gave you money for snacks,” Peter said matter-of-factly. “I want quarters for Street Fighter.”

Amber rolled her eyes and pulled out a five-dollar bill. “I don’t have quarters, but I’ll give you a five. Go buy yourself hot chocolate or something at the concession and ask them for change. And don’t bother me and Jesse.”

“Yeah, yeah,” Peter said, rolling his eyes. “That’s the deal. Got it.”

“And keep an eye on Noa and Rion,” Amber added.

“They’re still skating,” Peter said.

“So?” Amber said. “They’re younger than you. Watch them. Let them play Street Fighter with you. Give them some quarters.”

Peter rolled his eyes but said, “I guess it is more fun with other people…”

“Exactly. Make some high scores on that beat up arcade machine,” Amber said. “Have fun.”

“See you around, Peter,” Jesse said as Amber stepped closer to him, taking him by the hand.

“Stay out of trouble,” Amber said.

“Yeah, okay,” Peter said, hurrying off back to the ice, where Noa and Rion were still skating.

“Come on,” Amber said, giving Jesse’s arm a tug.

Jesse followed her. He felt warm despite the frigid air of the rink. Part of it was because they had just finished skating. Jesse was still carrying two bags, each with a set of skates and helmet inside.

But he also felt warm because he always felt warm around Amber.

“Do you want to stop by the concession stand too?” Amber turned back to ask him. “We could get something hot to drink.”

“I could go for a hot chocolate,” Jesse said, smiling back at her.

They had to walk up rickety wooden steps to get into the heated hall where the concession was. They pulled off their mitts while they ordered hot chocolate and then headed around to the back area where the smaller curling rink was located, passing the Street Fighter machine on the way.

There was a tidy little area just outside of the curling rink. It was like a small, classroom-sized event hall with tables and chairs and carpet. It smelled old and musty, probably because hardly anyone came here when there wasn’t any curling going on. Half the lights were turned off.

It was the perfect place for some privacy.

Jesse and Amber took a seat at the table in the corner, pulling off their toques and jackets so they could sit comfortably, drinking hot chocolate.

Amber’s long, dark hair was slightly tousled and her cheeks rosy. It made her even prettier when she smiled. Jesse couldn’t stop his heart from racing.

They hadn’t even been dating a year. He thought that maybe he would get used to being Amber’s boyfriend but just thinking about it was still a rush. It made him feel like a goof, but he couldn’t even bring himself to care. He was too happy.

“I like skating but I get worn out after a while,” Amber said. “Nothing beats coming here and resting up with a hot chocolate.”

“Yeah, I’ll say,” Jesse said.

“You’re really good,” Amber added. “I’m surprised you don’t play hockey.”

“Eh… Not my thing,” Jesse said. “I prefer warmer sports. Swimming or basketball… You know?”

“I’m not complaining,” Amber said and smiled, raising her hot chocolate. “I don’t know what I’d do if some dick body checked you into the boards.”

“You assume I wouldn’t be the one doing the body checking,” Jesse said.

Amber snorted. “You’re too nice, Jesse. I’ve seen you play hockey before. You’d never.”

It was true. He tended to avoid getting physical in hockey. His heart just wasn’t into it. Jesse needed to be really into something for him to go all out and it didn’t happen too often.

Actually, the only time he really felt like he went for it was when they played dodgeball. There was something satisfying about whipping those squishy balls as hard and fast as possible and getting someone on the other team…

“You’re right,” Jesse said. “You’re always right.”

“Not always,” Amber said with a grin. “Hey, your family is still coming over tomorrow night for New Year’s, right?”

“Yep,” he said. “Is Rion coming too?”

“Yeah. Sometimes it feels like we’ve adopted him,” Amber said. “He’s always coming home from school with Noa and hanging around. I mean, it’s not a big deal or anything. Sometimes Noa and Peter go over to Rion’s and play games… Next time they do, maybe I should have you over.”

“Sure,” he said. “I’d like that.”

“Maybe we’ll get lucky and my parents will be away too,” Amber said, watching him, letting her head rest in one of her hands.

Jesse glanced away, wondering what she was implying. Privacy with just the two of them? That was nice. Like right now. It was hard earned precious time. But being home at Amber’s with just the two of them?

That seemed really…intimate.

“That sounds fun,” Jesse said. “I guess we could have the games all to ourselves.”

“And we could hang out in my room and stuff,” Amber said. “No one would care if we closed the door.”

A nervous, self-conscious laugh bubbled out of Jesse. He could feel his face getting hot.

“I mean… Yeah. That too,” he said.

Amber’s smile was warm but mischievous. And, oh, she was so pretty like that.

“Do you think we could sneak a kiss on New Year's?” Amber asked.

“Yeah,” Jesse said, not hesitating to agree. “Yeah, of course. Um… If your family’s all there, it would have to be quick.”

“That’s okay,” Amber said.

The way she was looking at him made him want to squirm. But in a good way. It was exciting, made his heart race.

Jesse and Amber had kissed a few times already, but it was mostly quick, secret kisses. Sometimes they hugged and sometimes they snuck little gropes. But it felt like Amber was getting a lot braver about it.

Not that Jesse minded! He liked it. A lot. But sometimes it made him feel hot and dizzy and he wanted to do a whole lot more…

Was that okay? It felt like Amber was okay with it. But he wasn’t sure if he should say anything or push for more… Sometimes he tried to be more forward and she pulled back and he could never tell what time was the right time or what was too much or too little.

But lately, Jesse was sure things were getting serious between them.

“I want to get married,” Amber said.

“What?” Jesse replied, blinking. His mind was having trouble catching up.

“I want to get married,” she said again. “Like, after high school. What do you think?”

Jesse didn’t think. At all. His mouth was already speaking before his brain could catch up.

“Sure.”

“Really?” Amber said, her whole face lighting up.

Jesse had never been so happy about his mouth working faster than the rest of him.

“Of course!” he said. “Of course I want to get married. I mean, not right now, obviously. I want to finish school. But yeah. For sure.”

“Awesome!” Amber said, absolutely beaming. She reached across the table to take his hand in hers and he responded, giving her hand a firm squeeze back. “I knew you’d say that but hearing it… That’s so awesome! I’m so happy! You’re really sure?”

Was this what a proposal was like? No, was this a proposal? Jesse wasn’t sure. He didn’t have a ring or anything and Amber had been the one to ask–

“I’m really sure. Super sure,” he said. “I mean, I’ve been crushing on you my whole life. I could never, ever say no.”

Amber laughed. The sound had never been so beautiful. She’d never sounded so happy.

“We’re going to have to make lots of plans,” she said, giving his hand a squeeze. “And we should figure out what we want to do after school. Like, university and jobs and stuff. I can never decide on anything… You’ll help me, right?”

“As long as you’ll help me,” Jesse said, beaming back at her. “I’m just as lost as you are.”

Amber laughed. “I’d rather be lost together than lost alone.”

“Same here,” he said.

“I love you,” Amber told him.

Jesse felt like his heart could burst. Or maybe like he was going to cry. But that would be too embarrassing.

“I love you too,” Jesse said. “I love you somuch.”