{{user}} stood in the locker room, staring at her reflection. Her hair was perfectly pinned, her makeup flawless, her costume shimmering in soft hues of icy blue and silver—but her fingers trembled as she tightened the laces on her skates.

Outside, the crowd buzzed. Coaches whispered. Announcers ran through introductions.

And somewhere in that arena, Jace Black waited.

She hadn’t seen him yet today. They’d texted briefly—“You’ve got this. I love you.” That was all. No distractions. That was the rule they’d made.

But God, she needed to see him.

A knock.

Her head snapped up as the door creaked open.

Jace slipped in, wearing his university jacket, a baseball cap low over his brows. “You didn’t think I’d let you compete without seeing you first, did you?”

“Jace,” she breathed, already on her feet.

He crossed the room in a few strides, cupping her face with calloused hands. “I know you’re nervous. But listen to me, no one does what you do. No one moves like you. This whole arena? It belongs to you tonight.”