The Rink was open, and the giant Christmas tree set up and lit already. The ring wasn’t that large, and seemed crowded. She tried to get Callum to buy VIP tickets, but he insisted they were going to be a couple of average tourists. He bought tickets and they waited their turn. He pointed to the gleaming gold statue over the rink and told her about it as they waited.

“You should know that guy—Prometheus, one of the Greek Titans.”

“Yes, yes, I know. He stole fire. That’s why his statue is golden—like fire.”

“Actually, it’s bronze with gold leaf on it. But a real guy—Leon Nole—posed for the statue. He was a teacher. And the inscription on the granite wall behind is a paraphrase from Aeschylus. ‘Prometheus, teacher in every art, brought the fire that hath proved to mortals a means to mighty ends.’ Cool, hun.”

She gave him a sideways look. “Are you trying to make this a lesson?”

He smiled. “Bet you’ll remember it. Now, let’s talk about the physics of ice skating.” She gave a groan, but he ignored her. “We’re dealing with friction—and what does that do?”

Eva parroted back the answer. “Reduces energy.”

“Right. And what’s the law about an object in motion?”

“That’s going to be you when I push you!” She punched a finger into his chest.

“No, it’s going to stay in motion. Meaning you move on ice or you fall on your butt. Now, you’re going to need to use friction to stop on skates.”

“I know—just like skiing.”

“I don’t know about that, but this is about the angle of your blades. Keep them straight, and you keep the kinetic energy going so you keep moving. Angle the blades out and you can push off the ice—or slow down.”

Eva leaned on the railing and listened to him go on about rotational inertia—turning by pulling her arms in, and angular momentum, which he seemed to think was really important. The snow drifted down in light dots now. She brushed one off his cheek.

He frowned at her. “You’re not listening.”

“And you’re not enjoying the day. Come on, they’re waving us onto the ice.” She grabbed his hand and dragged him with her. Laughing, she stepped onto the ice. She wobbled—she could ski, but she’d never been on ice skates before. Her balance started to go and she caught Callum’s arm. “How can you stay up on these?”

“Hang on. I’ll take you around a few times until you find your balance. If you ski, this isn’t that different. Except you don’t have polls.” He pulled her around with him, one arm around her waist. She loved the cold on her face, the warmth of his body next to her, the feeling of moving without really trying.

She gave a laugh and spread her arms wide. “This is like flying.”

They spent a full hour skating. She started to feel comfortable on the ice, and Callum showed her how to push off, how to skate backwards. She let go of him and tried a spin—and went flat on her backside. He laughed and reached for her, so she pulled him down with him. Their legs tangled and Callum’s face hovered over hers. His breath misted in front of her, mingling with hers. She thought for a moment he would kiss her—she wanted that. Just because—not to try and seduce him, not to prove anything, but just because she was happy. But he straightened and pulled her up with him.

Skating slowly around the rink, they watched better skaters weave in and out of the crowd or move to the center to execute spins and turns.

Afterwards, Callum took her out for street food. “You have to eat hot dogs and falafel from a street cart—it’s not a New York experience without that.” She liked the hot dog, but the falafel gave her heartburn. Callum laughed when she pulled him to a drug store to buy an antacid. “That’s a New York experience, too.”

Heading back to the hotel, Eva decided she didn’t want this day to end. “Let’s go dancing? Here in the hotel. Please?”

He shook his head. “You should study. But I’ll tell you what—you ace the next practice test I give you and I’ll take you out to the restaurant downstairs. Deal?”

She didn’t quite ace the test, but she passed it, and Callum said that was worth at least a drink at the Bull and Bear Bar. She insisted on trying a Manhattan—a drink invented at the hotel. She didn’t like it, and switched to red wine. Callum started to explain how the name—bull and bear—were stock market terms.

Eva put a hand on his lips. “No more teaching! My head will explode if you keep this up. Come on. All this ice skating and I’m hungry.”

“After two hot dogs and how many falafels?”

She shook her head and pulled him into the restaurant next door, ordering Waldorf salads for them and New York steaks, and Red Velvet Cake. When they finished, Callum signed for the bill, muttering, “I’m glad your brother’s paying. This would empty my savings. And after that we’d better work off some of those calories.”

“Dancing?” Eva said, sitting up.

He shook his head. At the door, he asked a bellhop to bring down their coats. He tipped the bellhop and they bundled up and headed outside. “We’re going out?”

“Stop asking questions.” Tucking her arm into his, he started walking with her. “This is the way to see New York.”

He walked her to Broadway, to the noise of Times Square, and then to the quiet of Central Park, and then back to the hotel. They didn’t talk as they walked—just walked, arms linked, steps matching. Eva thought it was one of the best moments of her life.

It was odd how she didn’t really need words with Callum. How sometimes it was good to just walk with him like this, or to sit and read while he read something else. He was always challenging her—and finding ways to make her see things differently.

Upstairs again, in front of their room, she turned and faced him. “Callum—”

“We should get some sleep.”

“Callum, I’m never going to forget you. What you’ve done for me. I don’t ever want to forget you.” She linked her fingers with his. “Stay with me tonight.”

He leaned against the door. “Your brother—”

“Is not here. Am I ready for my tests?”

He nodded. “You are.”

“Then you are no longer my tutor, are you?”

“Well, I guess not.”

“But you’re my friend?”

He nodded again and touched her cheek. “Eva, this…we’re from two different worlds. I’m not the guy for you, you know.”

“I’m only asking for a lovely memory, Callum. And I…I want you to teach me one more thing before you go back to your own life.” She stepped close and wrapped her arms around him. “Teach me how to make love.”