For a second I couldn’t believe I’d said it aloud.
When I finally looked up, Dean was standing exactly where he’d been.
“You’re not the only one that happened to.” He scraped his fingers through his hair. “I’m tired, Luka. Tired of watching you carry everything alone because you’ve convinced yourself that’s noble.”
I looked away again, and he cursed under his breath. “You see?”
And then his warmth surrounded me, his hand closing around mine.
“I love you.”
I looked down at our joined hands, then at my own reflection in the glass.
Dean hadn’t moved.
He was still waiting.
And I had no idea what to say.
Neither of us spoke for a while, not even when the snow began again, blurring the glass.
Eventually Dean squeezed my hand.
“You know what I’m about to say, don’t you? Because I’ve said it enough times since we got together.”
I let out a tired laugh. “Let me guess. I don’t have to decide anything tonight?”
He smiled, and I knew I’d nailed it.
“It still feels as though I do,” I argued.
“Yeah.” He brushed his thumb across my knuckles. “But you don’t.”
I locked gazes with him. “What if nothing is any clearer tomorrow?”
It was his turn to shrug. “Then it isn’t.”
The answer came so easily, as though uncertainty wasn’t something that frightened him.
“Tomorrow’s for skating,” he said, stroking my nape. “You can save the existential crisis for after.”
Despite everything, I smiled. “That sounds like a generous offer.”
“I know.” He returned my smile. “Besides, there’s a decent chance everything looks different after tomorrow anyway.”
Is he talking about the gala, or about us?
Helen’s business card sat on Dean’s desk, a possible future.
I leaned my forehead against his shoulder and watched the snow.
Media 10
Commentators: Jonathon Ryman, Phil Harris
Phil:
And if you’re just joining us, welcome to the Figure Skating Exhibition Gala of the 2026 Winter Olympics. This event dates back to the first such Games in 1924, when it originated as a celebratory performance for the medalists and select top skaters to perform without the pressure of scores or rigid rules. Usually this means fun costumes, props, and some highly unconventional routines.
