Page 90 of 300 New Year's Eves

“No.” Jeremy laughs. “Even when I was competing, talking to reporters was my least favorite part.”

“Least favorite after having your picture taken.”

“Well, they do tend to go hand-in-hand,” Jeremy says, swirling his drink with his straw.

“You know, you’ve never told me. What isyourfavorite part of skating?”

Jeremy tilts his head to the side and smiles softly. “There’s a moment,” he says, then takes a sip of his drink. “In every skater's program, if you watch them carefully enough, you can see their faces light up in relief. It’s the moment when all the major jumping elements are completed, and the music is ramping up with its final crescendo, and the skater can be free to skate in that moment like someone took their leash off. To finally enjoy the crowd and the stage and spotlight following them around. That final footwork sequence that carries a skater from one end of the rink to the other with unbridled joy is the best moment there ever is in any skater's program. It’s what it’s all about. It’s where we all truly shine and showcase who we are as individuals with personalities that aren’t tied to how well you can perform a trick. That was always my favorite part.”

“It’s the part you do now every time you step on the ice,” Sergio says. “I saw it in you today.”

“That’s simply me playing around.” Jeremy tugs at his left eye.

“It isn’t playing around.” Sergio gives Jeremy a knowing half-smile. “Whether competing in the Olympics or skating in Holden and Rose’s barn, you do it because you love it. Because it’s who you are. It’s in your blood.”

Jeremy smiles, lifts one shoulder towards his ear, and looks at Sergio thoughtfully as he says, “Maybe it is.”

With their eyes locked on each other, they both take another sip of their drinks. While sharing a comfortable moment of silence, Holden jumps on the stage, grabbing everyone else’s attention. “Alright, everyone,” he says into the microphone. “Grab a glass of champagne, the countdown starts in less than a minute.”

Holding his gaze, Jeremy steps closer to Sergio, making the world around them fall away. His lips quirk up into a smile. “When did you get so observant?”

Sergio takes a step closer and leans in to speak directly into Jeremy’s ear. “When you gave me a reason to focus on someone other than myself.”

“I’m kind of like your inspiration, then?” Jeremy asks right as Holden yells “Ten!” from the stage.

“Inspiration and more.”

“Nine!”

“How much more?”

“Eight!”

“As much as you’ll let me have.”

“Seven!”

“What if I want to give you all of me?” Jeremy turns his head, so their lips are almost brushing.

“Six!”

Sergio circles his arm around Jeremy’s waist. “Then I promise to grab on and never let you go.”

“Five!”

“And what if I said I never wanted to let you go, either?”

“Four!”

“Then I would say we are a perfect match.”

“Three!”

“Perfect enough for a New Year’s kiss?”

“Two!”

“To start,” Sergio says and brings their lips together as he holds on tight.