Page 11

The rink was quieter than usual as Amara stepped onto the ice, her mind racing with anticipation.

She'd done something she hadn't expected—she'd invited Liam to watch her practice. It was a spontaneous decision, one that felt risky yet thrilling. She didn't know why she wanted him there, only that his presence grounded her in a way she hadn't felt before. There was something reassuring about his quiet strength, and a part of her wanted to share this part of her world with him.

Liam arrived a few minutes later, dressed in his usual sharp attire, but with a hint of curiosity in his eyes as he approached the rink. She noticed the way he took in the space, his gaze thoughtful, as if he was trying to understand what this world meant to her.

"Glad you could make it," she said with a small smile, skating over to the edge where he stood.

"Wouldn't miss it," he replied, his smile warm yet observant. "I'm honored you'd let me see you in action."

She chuckled, brushing off the compliment. "Let's just say I could use a fresh perspective."

Liam raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "I'll do my best, but I can't promise I know much about figure skating. Resilience and focus, though—that I understand."

Amara took a deep breath, knowing how much she struggled with her mental game, especially when the pressure was on.

She nodded and began her warm-up, gliding across the ice in smooth, effortless motions.

She'd been practicing this routine for weeks, but she couldn't shake the nerves, knowing that Liam was watching her.

After a few minutes, she launched into her jumps and spins, each move precise but tense. As she tried a complicated triple loop, she stumbled slightly, regaining her balance just in time to avoid a fall. Frustration flickered across her face, and she glanced at Liam, hoping he hadn't noticed.

But he had. He stepped closer to the edge of the rink, his gaze steady and focused. "You're overthinking it, Amara. Let the moves come naturally, like second nature. You've practiced enough to trust yourself."

She nodded, trying to absorb his advice. She moved through her routine again, concentrating on each step, but her mind kept racing ahead, anxious about the next move. She finished the sequence, feeling off-kilter and dissatisfied.

Liam watched her with a calm, patient expression. "You're treating each move like it's a decision you have to make, instead of a flow you're meant to experience."

She sighed, leaning against the rink's edge. "It's easy to say, but when I'm out there, all I can think about is the end goal. I keep telling myself I have to be perfect."

"Perfection isn't the goal," he replied gently. "The goal is resilience—finding a way to keep going, no matter what happens."

Amara looked at him, a bit surprised by the intensity in his voice. "I know resilience matters, but... in skating, perfection feels like the only thing that counts."

He shook his head, his expression firm.

"If you only focus on perfection, you're setting yourself up for disappointment. Trust me, I've learned that the hard way. When you run a business, you have to be willing to take risks, to make mistakes, and then get back up. It's the same principle, Amara. You're building something out there on the ice, move by move. Let it be less about the mistakes and more about the process."

She considered his words, realizing how right he was. Her fixation on perfection had become her own obstacle, holding her back from the freedom and joy she'd once felt on the ice. She took a deep breath, letting his advice sink in. "So... it's about trusting myself to handle whatever comes."

He nodded, his gaze warm and encouraging. "Exactly. Don't focus on avoiding failure. Focus on moving forward, even if it's not perfect."

A sense of relief washed over her as she nodded. She moved to the center of the rink, ready to try her routine again, but this time she focused less on hitting each mark perfectly and more on feeling the flow of her movements, letting herself be fully present.

As she skated, something shifted. She moved with a newfound confidence, her body flowing effortlessly, each spin and jump feeling like a natural extension of herself. Her mind was clear, unburdened by the need for perfection, and instead, she felt a freedom she hadn't experienced in a long time.

When she finished her routine, she glided back to the edge, her breath coming fast but steady. She looked at Liam, a wide smile spreading across her face.

"That was incredible, Amara," he said, his eyes full of pride. "You looked... free."

She laughed softly, nodding. "I felt it. It's strange, but just letting go of that pressure to be perfect made everything feel easier."

"Exactly," he said, his voice filled with satisfaction. "Sometimes, it's about learning to trust yourself enough to let go."

Amara felt a warmth spread through her chest as she looked at him, grateful for his words.

She hadn't expected him to understand her struggles so well, but his perspective had been exactly what she needed. And in that moment, she realized that his presence in her life was beginning to feel like more than just a friendship—it was a support she hadn't even known she needed.

"Thank you, Liam," she said, her voice soft. "For everything. I don't think I've ever had someone... believe in me like this."

He looked at her, a gentle smile playing on his lips. "You've got everything it takes, Amara. Just remember that the next time you're out here. You don't need anyone else's validation to know you're capable."

She held his gaze, feeling a surge of gratitude and something deeper that she didn't dare name just yet. But whatever it was, she knew that Liam's influence was helping her become not only a stronger skater but a more resilient person.

With a final smile, she laced up her skates again, feeling lighter, as if a weight had been lifted.

She was ready to take on whatever challenges lay ahead, knowing she had the strength to overcome them—both on the ice and beyond.

And she knew, without a doubt, that Liam had given her more than just advice that day; he'd given her a gift of confidence she would carry with her always.