All Chapters of Love On Ice: Chapter 21 - Chapter 30

*Eric*Last night and this morning were nothing short of incredible. I went to bed next to Jamira and woke up with her. I don’t know what it is about her, but I can’t seem to get enough of her. It’s been years since I’ve felt this way about anyone.The last girl I was serious with told me things were moving too fast after two years. In retrospect, that was total bullshit, but at the time, she had me second-guessing myself. Two weeks later, I found out she had gotten married and was backpacking across Europe for her honeymoon.It broke me. So much so that I went to therapy for it.Things feel familiar with Jamira. It’s as if I’ve known her for years. When I’m around her, my thoughts go quiet, and my worries fade away. So when she agreed to meet my parents, I was more than happy about it. I just knew she’d come up with some kind of excuse, but she didn’t. That meant a lot to me.On the ride back to her home, I couldn’t help but steal looks from her. I love the way the moon highlights he

*ERIC*I completely forgot my promise to Kayla that I’d take her to the festival at her school today. To make matters worse, I started a new account today that was incredibly complicated. It took me and three of my top employees to break it down and take portions. It wasn’t until Kacie called that I realized what time it was. She was upset.Sometimes, she acts like she’s more than my sister. Then I have to remind her that I’m a grown ass man and if she wants someone to push around, she should go to Josh for that. That makes her blood boil, but she leaves me alone afterward.I left work as soon as we hung up and headed for my condo. I lived about 20 minutes from the job and needed to get ready and head to the school, which was about another 15 minutes away. I was looking at an hour before we got there.When I opened the door, Kayla stomped up to me with her arms folded. The sass on this girl!“Uncle, Mommy says it’s 4 o’clock, and you were supposed to be here on time for the festival.”

*JAMIRA* On the drive home, I had my share of things to think about, and my head was spinning. What was I going to do? Was I really ready to leave Chris? And for Eric? How had things become so complicated? How long do I have before things start to implode? I tried turning up the music, but Eric’s words kept circling my head. We’re not even together and barely talking, and he wants me to leave Chris? Let’s be honest, I didn’t even need him to tell me that to consider it. What Chris and I had was good and steady until recently when things started to fall apart. It’s been like a cascade of one messed-up thing after another that started with the death of his brother.Don’t get me wrong, I don’t blame him at all; shit like that happens, but if he hadn’t passed away, would Chris have still gone on to do the things he did? I wanted clarity more than anything right now, and it feels as though I’m not getting any closer to getting it. But Eric…Eric was something else entirely. He mad

I sped to Ayana’s house, driven by an inexplicable anger that refused to subside despite my attempts to calm down. While it may seem selfish to confide in her, I had no one else to turn to. Perhaps this conversation would provide her with a momentary respite from her stress about her mom. Upon arriving at Ayana’s, I found her engrossed in a phone call. The seriousness in her voice made me worry that she was receiving distressing news. I mouthed that I was going to cook, and she nodded, indicating her desire for some privacy while I worked through my own emotions. I whipped up a delicious shrimp risotto for her, knowing her love for shrimp would help lift her spirits. I also made some refreshing strawberry lemonade using the lemons and strawberries she had in the refrigerator. Suddenly, she walked into the kitchen nose-first, her characteristic humor evident in her actions. I couldn’t help but laugh at the sight. “If you want to live here forever and cook amazing meals, I’m more th

*JAMIRA*The next morning, I woke up tangled with Eric. It was uncomfortable since we were on the couch, but I didn’t want to move. I watched him peacefully sleep on me, not wanting to disturb the moment. It seemed like he had finally found peace after years of searching. After realizing it was a weekday, I softly kissed his cheek, and his eyes flew open.“Oh, good you’re up,” I said softly.“Don’t start anything you can’t finish,” he replied.And for some reason, that made me laugh.“Eric, hun, get up. I have to go to work.”“Thirty more minutes, baby. Please,” he pleaded.“Wish I could, but the children need me,” I said playfully.“Let those brats be someone else’s problem. What about me? I’m a child at heart, surely that counts for something.”I shook my head. This man is impossible. I took my leg and threw it over his body, straddling him. He smirked, and I knew if I didn’t move soon, he’d consume me like he always could. He was so enticing.“It does, just not today. Besides, you