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“You’ve almost got it, come look.”
Ethan held up the cellphone and Vienna skated over to him. As annoying as Ethan was, Vienna had been intrigued by his idea. But it wasn’t just that. His phone was top of the line, taking clear videos and playing them back on a large screen. And for some reason, he was more than willing to spend over an hour recording Vienna and letting her watch the playback.
She’d been running through and correcting her short and long programs for an hour when she finally gave in and agreed to try his suggestion. To her surprise, the effect was elegant and eye-catching. And it fell within the rules of the competition. Now she was eagerly retrying the move over and over again, rushing back to where Ethan stood on the ice to check her progress.
“I’m getting tired,” she admitted.
“I think once more and you’ll have it.”
Vienna nodded. She agreed with him. That, and she was much too tired to argue with him.
Vienna circled the lower half of the rink, building up speed and attacking the jump one last time. She flung herself into the air with wild abandon and executed the modified jump perfectly.
She knew before her toe touched the ice that she had over rotated, and she prepared herself for a fall. Vienna let herself go limp, leaving her arms in the air as they were and hoping that they landed between her and the ice. Her toe pick made contact with the ice and slipped out from under her, slamming her down with a heavy thud.
Her cheek connected with the ice, and she felt the sting almost instantly as she slid. She lay on the ice for a moment, cataloguing her injuries before she moved. She did as she always did, starting from the ankles and working up her joints methodically, one section at a time.
She breathed a sigh of relief. Aside from the spot on her cheek that stung like crazy and smacking her skinned knee again, she was unharmed. She’d be sore when she thawed out later, but stiff was not the same as broken.
“Are you alright?” Ethan called out to her.
Even when he thought someone was hurt there was still a smile on his face. Vienna wasn’t sure if she should laugh or slap him. Of course she was fine. She wasn’t made of porcelain.
She gave him a thumbs up and pulled herself up. She circled the half rink again, building up speed and locking her eyes on the spot on her orbit where she needed to enter into the jump.
“What are you doing?” he called out.
“I have to stick the landing!” she yelled back, going into the corner and lining herself up.
Ethan fumbled getting the camera rolling, hitting record a split second before her feet left the ice. This time, she took off with less gusto, letting her arms flow into position and trusting physics to spin her. She landed the jump without bobbling and clapped her hands in delight.
“That was perfect!” Ethan hollered.
Vienna smiled, skating back to him so she could watch the replay. The smile slid off Ethan’s face as she approached.
“That’s quite a bruise you’ve got there.”
“I’ll be fine.”
“You’re done for the day, right?”
“I am. Let me see, please.”
Ethan handed her the phone and she hit play. She watched the jump, her smile spreading ear to ear. She’d done an excellent job. The voice on the video remarked on her jump and Ethan blushed.
“I didn’t mean to say anything over your recording.”
“But did you really think it was beautiful?”
“I think you’re beautiful, but yes. The jump was beautiful as well.”
“Did you really just call me beautiful?”
“I did.”
“But you don’t even know my name or who I am.”
“Sure I do. You’re Vienna Rhett. You’re twenty-three and a serious competitor in the figure skating world.”
“How did you find out my name?”
She handed him back his phone, wondering if she should be worried. How did he know so much about her?
“My dad told me last night when he yelled at me for interrupting your session.”
Vienna groaned.
“Your dad is the manager?”
“Yep. He’s also the owner. He’s kind of a jack of all trades.”
Vienna groaned inwardly. She should have put two and two together, but she never realized.
“I thought your last name was Hayes?”
“It is. But my dad bought this place for my mom when they got married. My mom is Sara Sparks, hence the name Sparks Family Skating.”
“I know your mom. She used to coach me when I was little.”
“I remember.”
“Wait. Are you the boy that used to bring us hot chocolate when we were done?”
“Yep. Bringing hot cocoa to a bunch of five year olds wasn’t really the most glamourous job a ten-year-old could have, but I earned money working here and helping out with the lessons so I can’t complain.”
Ethan reached out, tenderly running his thumb over her cheek. Vienna flinched.
“Maybe you should have that looked at.”
“Really, I’m fine.”
“In that case, have breakfast with me?”
“I ate at five.”
“How about an early lunch then?”
“I really shouldn’t.”
“Of course you shouldn’t, but you want to.”
He smiled at her and winked. His joy was contagious and Vienna couldn’t help but smile.
“Fine. I’ll have an early lunch, but I’m driving.”
“That’s good, because my buddy still has my car.”
“How did you get here?”
“I rode in with Dave.”
Vienna nodded. Now that she knew who he was, it was all starting to fall into place.
“Just because I’m going to lunch with you doesn’t mean I don’t still think you’re annoying.”
“Ah, but you like my camera, so I think you’ll keep me around.”
“Probably.”
“Sounds good to me. I’ll take any opportunity I get to video a beautiful woman like yourself.”
“Don’t push your luck.”