Her cheeks warmed. She glanced out of the corner of her eye to the tunnel. Her best friend Gemma and her partner John were already nearly hidden from view.
“Is it that obvious?”
“Sí,” he said.
They waved to the crowd a final time, and with a few strokes, were backstage, where members of the company’s technical team were running around reorganizing props for the show later that evening.
They skated over to the rim of the ice and collected their jackets, water bottles, and plastic skate guards from a set of storage cubbies.
“How many shows do you have left now?” Fernando asked.
Frankie did a mental calculation. “Three weeks’ worth? My last show will be in Lyon, France.”
They stepped off the ice.
“That quick?” He let out a low whistle. “In that case, how would you feel about going out with a bang? We could upgrade our normal side-by-side double toes to triples for the final eighteen shows.”
“Triple toes?” She placed a hand on the wall and secured the skate guards in place.
He nodded. “You’re one of the few skaters here who can still do triples. You might as well have some fun with them before you retire.”
“You’re right. We’re getting down to the wire. It really is now or never.”
“That’s the spirit.” Fernando grinned. “It should only take us a couple tries to work out the timing. Out of all the female skaters I’ve partnered, you’re always going to stand out as the one that’s been the easiest to work with.”
She laughed.
“I’m being serious here. You’re one of the rare ones. When we first started out skating together, we went from doing crossovers to lifts in three sessions. Every skater comes to the tour having learned different techniques for jumps, spins, and lifts. But your willingness to compromise and make adjustments has made our partnership a literal dream come true for me. I’ve gotten so spoiled.”
She hugged him. “You’re going to make me cry.”
“Hey, kids . . .” Gemma called out. Frankie glanced over her shoulder at her Scottish friend. “Are we doing a group thing for dinner? Or should I just bring back something for you two?”
Fernando shook his head. “Thanks, but that’s a no for me. I have plans.”
What Fernando really meant was that he couldn’t miss his afternoon siesta, or he really might transform into a beast.
“I’ll catch up with you ladies in a few hours.” He excused himself and headed down the hall to his dressing room.
“Too bad. What about you, Frankie?”
She paused thoughtfully. “I’m in. I love Greece, and I haven’t been outside the arena or hotel once since we arrived.”
Her friend arched an eyebrow and shot her a “who’s fault is that” look. “Go change and I’ll order a car for us.”
* * *
“So, you still haven’t givenanyreconsideration to renewing your contract, have you?” Gemma asked as she stowed her phone into her brown designer wristlet.
They sat at a table of an outdoor café tucked off the main street. Pink bougainvillea petals rained down on top of the umbrella in the middle of their table.
Frankie shook her head. “Nope. Three weeks from now, I’ll be officially retired.” She’d come to terms with it four months ago, but it still felt surreal saying it aloud.
“Wow. I can’t believe it.” Gemma’s eyes widened. “Out of all the skaters, I thought you’d be the one who stayed involved with show skating as long as humanly possible. You love this life.”
At twenty-seven, Frankie was already one of the oldest skaters on tour. It didn’t seem all that out of the ordinary for someone her age to decide to retire. Last year, just after her thirtieth birthday, Michelle had said farewell to Dreams on Ice. The season before that, it had been Gia, who at twenty-eight had decided it was in the best interest of her long-term health to step back from skating.
Like many skaters, the wear and tear from years of practicing and performing jumps and spins had made itself known in her hips, knees, and ankles. Frankie counted herself lucky that unlike Gia, she had more good days than bad.
