Free On Thin Icing by Ellie Alexander

Probably stress, Jules, I told myself.
    Carlos ate at a more leisurely pace, regaling Sterling with stories of our escapades on the ship. Like the night that Carlos had me sneak in the kitchen with him and fill two buckets with water. He took all of the paring knifes and dropped them in the buckets. Then he hid them in the freezer. The next morning, staff arrived for line prep to find their knives frozen solid. Carlos was notorious for playing pranks in the kitchen. He said it helped lighten the mood.
    “Jules, I’ve never seen this side of you.” Sterling grinned as he stacked our empty plates and walked them to the sink.
    “Julieta has a devilish side,” Carlos said.
    “I do not,” I protested, and tossed him a fresh bag of frozen peas. “You are the troublemaker.”
    “Is there anything else you need me to do, Jules?” Sterling asked as he loaded our dinner plates in the dishwasher. “I want to get out of here before the pranks begin.”
    I surveyed the kitchen. Everything had been put away. “It looks great. You’ve been amazing. Go get some sleep. I’m going to sketch out the plan for tomorrow.”
    He removed his apron and hung it on a hook near the sink. “Are you sure?”
    “Absolutely. I’ve got it from here. Thanks for all your hard work. I could not have done it without you.”
    “Not a problem. I had fun.” Sterling smiled at both of us and pulled his hoodie over his head. “See you bright and early.”
    I tried to busy myself with tomorrow’s schedule after Sterling left. It was hard to concentrate. Carlos poured two glasses of wine and pulled a chair on the opposite side of the island from me. He rested his hands on his chin. “You are so lovely when you’re thinking, Julieta.”
    “Stop.” I shook my head, and focused my gaze at the notebook in front of me, acutely aware that Carlos was staring at me. “You can’t just waltz back in my life and pretend that nothing happened.”
    “ Sí, I know, and now we are alone. Can we talk?” There was longing in his voice.
    I drew in a breath and rested the pencil on the notebook. “Where do we even start?” I met his eyes.
    “Let’s take our wine and have a seat by the fire.” He nodded toward the dining room.
    “There’s so much I need to do for tomorrow.” I protested.
    “That can wait. We cannot.” Carlos held my gaze. The intensity in his eyes made my heart thump again.
    “I don’t know.” I motioned to the notebook. “I still need to map out tomorrow’s plan.” I could hear the timidity in my voice. There was nothing I wanted more than to curl up in front of the fire and have Carlos wrap his arms around me.
    Carlos knew he’d won. He slid from the stool and picked up his wine glass. I closed the notebook and followed him.
    Keep it together, Jules.

 
    Chapter Eight
    The lights in the dining room had been turned off. We only had the glow of the embers burning low in the fireplace in the far corner of the room to guide us.
    I could feel my breath coming fast and unsteady. I’d waited so long for this moment. I was filled with equal parts of excitement and dread. Whatever Carlos had to say would affect my future for better or worse. That’s what you said when you got married, Jules, for better or for worse.
    A shiver ran down my spine. I wasn’t sure if it was because the dining room had cooled significantly with the falling snow outside or it if was my nerves.
    Carlos started as he got closer to the fireplace. “Sorry. I did not know that someone was here.”
    Someone was here? So much for a quiet conversation.
    Mercury jumped to her feet from the couch. “Oh, my goodness, I must have fallen asleep. What time is it?” Her light gray hair spilled from a loose ponytail.
    Carlos shrugged. He looked at me.
    “No idea.” I don’t wear a watch. I don’t wear any jewelry when I’m baking. It gets in the way.
    Mercury glanced at her wrist. “It’s after eleven. How did that happen? How long have I been