my six inch heels. Standing next to him barefoot is a little funny; without my heels, I’m basically tiny compared to him.
Holding my stilettos in one hand, I skip along toward the little park that Erik pointed out. It turns out to be pretty nice. There are several big, shady trees. Underneath those is an oversized swing set, a seesaw, and a large dark wooden jungle gym complete with a bright blue plastic slide. All of it is enclosed in a giant sandbox, well-tended yet vacant.
I jog over to the swings, dropping my shoes behind me in the sand. I perch on one of the swings, giving Erik a huge grin. He hangs back, watching me.
It’s a little frustrating sometimes, seeing Erik not just dive into things. He’s so careful about everything. Then again, I could learn a little restraint, I guess.
“Come on!” I urge him. “At least come over here and push me.”
His eyes tighten on mine. For a second, I think that he’s going to say no. But eventually he shrugs and comes into the swings area.
I smile as he awkwardly makes his way around me. “Hey.” I stop him. “Here.”
I stand up, reaching to ease the knot of his tie. He goes still and expressionless under my hands. But his eyes study me intently, the green brown standing out to me just now.
I smile up at him. “What are you thinking?”
He shakes his head. “Nothing.”
I unknot his tie, slipping it off. I scoff. “Seriously? I’m willing to bet that isn’t true.”
He tilts his head. “Maybe it’s just private. Ever think of that?”
My expression turns teasing. My fingers undo the top button of his shirt. “I definitely have thought about that. It only makes me more curious. What does Erik Moen think about that is private? Hm?”
He stills my fingers by grabbing my hand. “Most of my thoughts are private, Nika.”
My lips quirk. “Even from me?”
He releases me, letting out a bark of laughter. “Especially from you.”
I shoot him a pouty face. He just rolls his eyes and walks around the swings. “Sit down.”
I seat myself against the black rubber of the swing, gripping the silver chains that rise all the way up to meet the top of the swings. Erik grips the chains too, just a little below where my hands are. He pulls me back gently and lets go of the chains.
I glide forward gently.
I send Erik a look over my shoulder. “You’re terrible at this. Push me harder!”
He smirks at me. “That’s your response to everything.”
I laugh, leaning my head back. He does push me harder though, making me glide a little higher each time his warm hands touch my back.
I beam at him. “Admit it. This is way better than talking to people about serious issues back there at the school.”
“I will never concede to it,” he says, feigning seriousness. “You know that’s my motto. Never admit to anything so that no one can be mad at me.”
I put down a foot, slowing my swing by dragging it along the ground. “And how would you say that’s going, Erik?”
He flashes a smile. “Perfectly okay. Absolutely bland.”
I stop the swing, leaning back to look at him. “Want to sit on the jungle gym for a little while?”
He offers me a small smile. “Your wish is my command, princess.”
Rolling my eyes, I stand up and bite my lip. “Race you there.”
I take off at a sprint, not waiting for him to catch up. I head for the solid wood structure only thirty yards away.
“No fair!” he cries.
As it turns out, I don’t need to wait for him. He’s so tall and has such long legs that he has no problem catching up to me.
I give him a glinting look as I climb up to the top of the jungle gym. The floor beneath me is made of sturdy slabs of wood and there is a view of the school from here that is actually quite charming.
Erik climbs right up beside me. I sprawl out on the slab, patting an invisible seat. He sits down more carefully than I did; he’s all knees and elbows for a second before he settles down beside me.
He heaves a sigh. I arch a brow.
“What?” I ask.
He shrugs. “I don’t know. Don’t you ever get tired of being a princess on parade? I’m sick of it and it’s only been a few weeks.”
My lips lift at the corners. “Of course.”
His eyebrows lift. “Really?”
I nod. “Yeah, definitely. I just don’t know how