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you troublemaker. It’s just that I like to design, build, and stock salt-water aquariums.”
    “You mean the big ones? Like the aquarium down in San Diego?”
    “No, smaller ones for homes and offices.”
    Julia chewed her California roll carefully. “I would suspect that this would be the place to do it since we are so close to the ocean; it would be awfully easy to get the salt water.”
    “That’s true; the local stores stock jugs of salt water and import all sorts of exotic fish, including my favorite, the yellow tang. If your brother was game I’d design a t-shaped tank of maybe five to six hundred gallons right between the dining room and living room and plunk some coral and fish in it. It would create an exotic accent to an already lovely place. I’m just not so sure he would be willing to allow me to experiment with his beloved condominium.”
    “It would never hurt to ask .”
    “That’s true, but then again I don’t know how lo ng I’ll be staying here so I might not want to start something I couldn’t finish.” A note of melancholy muted the normally rich timbre of his voice, and once again Julia noticed something akin to sadness flit across his handsome face.
    Seeking to lighten the mood she declared jauntily , “Well, I have a hobby that’s not very expensive and a whole lot of fun. And after this big dinner I wouldn’t mind indulging myself. Are you game?”
    “Just what am I agreeing to?” asked Seth suspiciously, wiping his mouth with a linen napkin.
    “Ice
skating! There’s a skating rink right at the mall. I don’t know about you, but I haven’t gotten enough exercise today. Would you like to wander over there and give it a try?”
    A peculiar expression passed over his face before he nodded solemnly. “Only if you promise not to laugh at me when I land smack on my bum.”
    “ Now you sound British,” chortled Julia delightedly as she took his reluctant hand.
     
     
    Twenty minutes later they laced up their rented ice-skates, Seth appearing quite dubious.
    “I’m not exactly sure I’m appropriately dressed for this little adventure,” he complained. He had removed his jacket to reveal a snow-white shirt and had un-looped his brilliant red tie, but still looked overdressed in his sharply creased blue dress slacks.
    “Don’t worry about it,” she said dismissively , and grabbing him by the hand dragged him out onto the ice where a couple dozen young people, ranging anywhere from middle school to college age, skated in a counterclockwise loop around the large ring.
    “If you feel a little bit shaky, you can either hold onto the ra iling here or onto me. Have you ever skated before?”
    “Once or twice,” he commented quietly, watching an energetic young man wink at his laughing brunette counterpart as he zoomed by skating backward. “I suppose you can skate backward as well,” he accused and Julia grinned, holding out her hands to him.
    He took them gently and allowed her to lead him across the ice. He didn’t exactly stagger or fall as he let her slowly maneuver him over the slick ice, thoroughly enjoying the faint breeze lifting her blonde hair, her cheeks taking on a rosy shine. She was absolutely stunning in the clingy sweater dress and he was thankful for the chill air of the ice rink. He allowed her to lead him about like that for three full laps before finally sighing.
    “Alright, alright,” he said. “That’s enough!” and suddenly spun forward to grab her around the waist, and lead her in a smooth swirling circle. Seth had not only skated before but was an excellent skater!
    “Why you,” she hissed under her breath, but he only chuckled and whirled her around once more.
    “If I tossed you would you land on your feet?”
    “Why don’t you try it?” she challenged , and he gave her a tentative toss of only a foot or so. Julia landed perfectly upon her white skates and zoomed out in front of him. Seth did a nifty spin, and then gliding beside her looped