the media room.
“You’ve been so quiet,” he said. “Don’t keep beating yourself up over the Sal.”
“It’s just so freaking frustrating. Everything else was the best we’ve ever done. If I’d landed it, we’d be in first for sure.”
“We’re still in this. We just need to start with a clean slate at practice tomorrow. Today is done and all that matters is getting ready for Saturday.” He gently squeezed my shoulders. “Are you with me?”
I flashed back to our performance and the similar pivotal point I’d encountered when my butt had hit the ice. I’d made the right decision then and I had to do the same now. I had to stomp out the regret and only look forward. It was the only way we’d have any chance for greatness.
“Always,” I said.
He hugged me to his side and kissed the top of my head as we entered the room where all the other pairs had gathered. We would be in the final flight of four teams on Saturday, so we had to wait until almost the end to pick our start order number. Josh had drawn the optimal last spot four years ago for Stephanie and him, so I let him try to replicate that when our names were called. He rubbed his hands together and reached inside the bag, and I crossed my fingers and watched his face for his reaction.
He smiled.
YES.
He held up the number, which represented the final spot in the order. We would close out the event and leave the lasting impression on the judges, and the crowd would be totally worked up and ready to explode by that point. It was all set up for us to have our shining moment.
We just had to deliver.
Chapter Six
W ITH THE TEMPERATURE NO LONGER AT brutally-cold level, Josh and I decided to walk from the arena to the nearby North End for dinner. Stephanie joined us but was on her phone with a work issue during the half-mile trek to Boston’s neighborhood of all things Italian.
I wheeled my skate bag across Salem Street and stopped in front of L’Osteria on the corner. I’d eaten there a few times and knew it would have vegan options for Stephanie.
“Is this place okay?” I asked her as I pointed to the menu next to the door.
She paused her conversation and took a quick glance. After a nod of approval we all went inside, where the stark contrasting warmth had me tearing off my coat. We sat beside the windows, Josh and I on one side of the table and Stephanie on the other.
“You’d think I’m the boss and not the intern,” she said as she placed her phone on the table. “The assistant to the designer I’m working for is so clueless. I don’t know how this guy finds his way to the office every day.”
A tall, dark-haired waiter who looked like he’d just arrived straight from Italy stepped up to our table, and Stephanie’s snarl quickly turned into a smile. We gave our drink orders, and her eyes followed the waiter as he retreated to the kitchen.
“Excellent restaurant choice,” she said.
I laughed and unfolded my napkin. Stephanie’s phone vibrated on the white tablecloth, and she picked it up, read the message, and slapped it face down.
“I will be so glad when I’m done with this job and this idiot.”
“Are you still thinking of moving to New York after graduation?” Josh asked.
“Depends who gives me the best offer. I feel like I should probably experience the scene in New York for a few years, though.”
“If you want to do more costume design, you’ll have a ton of customers,” I said. “Everyone has been raving about the ones you made for us.”
“Wait until they see your exhibition dress.” She paused and flashed a smile at the waiter as he set down her glass of red wine. “I impressed even myself with that one.”
“When Court tried it on to show me, I had no words,” Josh said.
I grinned and brushed my leg against his. He’d had no words but he’d said plenty in the hot way he’d looked at me and touched me as he’d helped me out of the dress. I’d chosen pink because I was wearing that
“You’ve been so quiet,” he said. “Don’t keep beating yourself up over the Sal.”
“It’s just so freaking frustrating. Everything else was the best we’ve ever done. If I’d landed it, we’d be in first for sure.”
“We’re still in this. We just need to start with a clean slate at practice tomorrow. Today is done and all that matters is getting ready for Saturday.” He gently squeezed my shoulders. “Are you with me?”
I flashed back to our performance and the similar pivotal point I’d encountered when my butt had hit the ice. I’d made the right decision then and I had to do the same now. I had to stomp out the regret and only look forward. It was the only way we’d have any chance for greatness.
“Always,” I said.
He hugged me to his side and kissed the top of my head as we entered the room where all the other pairs had gathered. We would be in the final flight of four teams on Saturday, so we had to wait until almost the end to pick our start order number. Josh had drawn the optimal last spot four years ago for Stephanie and him, so I let him try to replicate that when our names were called. He rubbed his hands together and reached inside the bag, and I crossed my fingers and watched his face for his reaction.
He smiled.
YES.
He held up the number, which represented the final spot in the order. We would close out the event and leave the lasting impression on the judges, and the crowd would be totally worked up and ready to explode by that point. It was all set up for us to have our shining moment.
We just had to deliver.
Chapter Six
W ITH THE TEMPERATURE NO LONGER AT brutally-cold level, Josh and I decided to walk from the arena to the nearby North End for dinner. Stephanie joined us but was on her phone with a work issue during the half-mile trek to Boston’s neighborhood of all things Italian.
I wheeled my skate bag across Salem Street and stopped in front of L’Osteria on the corner. I’d eaten there a few times and knew it would have vegan options for Stephanie.
“Is this place okay?” I asked her as I pointed to the menu next to the door.
She paused her conversation and took a quick glance. After a nod of approval we all went inside, where the stark contrasting warmth had me tearing off my coat. We sat beside the windows, Josh and I on one side of the table and Stephanie on the other.
“You’d think I’m the boss and not the intern,” she said as she placed her phone on the table. “The assistant to the designer I’m working for is so clueless. I don’t know how this guy finds his way to the office every day.”
A tall, dark-haired waiter who looked like he’d just arrived straight from Italy stepped up to our table, and Stephanie’s snarl quickly turned into a smile. We gave our drink orders, and her eyes followed the waiter as he retreated to the kitchen.
“Excellent restaurant choice,” she said.
I laughed and unfolded my napkin. Stephanie’s phone vibrated on the white tablecloth, and she picked it up, read the message, and slapped it face down.
“I will be so glad when I’m done with this job and this idiot.”
“Are you still thinking of moving to New York after graduation?” Josh asked.
“Depends who gives me the best offer. I feel like I should probably experience the scene in New York for a few years, though.”
“If you want to do more costume design, you’ll have a ton of customers,” I said. “Everyone has been raving about the ones you made for us.”
“Wait until they see your exhibition dress.” She paused and flashed a smile at the waiter as he set down her glass of red wine. “I impressed even myself with that one.”
“When Court tried it on to show me, I had no words,” Josh said.
I grinned and brushed my leg against his. He’d had no words but he’d said plenty in the hot way he’d looked at me and touched me as he’d helped me out of the dress. I’d chosen pink because I was wearing that
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