Edge of the Past by Jennifer Comeaux

get out there with you. I don’t know why I can’t just skate without doing any of the high-risk stuff.”
    “Sergei said the doctor doesn’t want you anywhere near the ice. If you fall, you could do more damage to your shoulder.”
    He sighed. “Yeah, I know. It’s just annoying to be stuck on the sidelines.”
    I opened the heavy blue door. “But think about how powerful you’re going to be from all your workouts.”
    He laughed and shoved me ahead of him. I resumed my jog, breezing past Sergei, Elena, and Liza as they returned from the lounge. A few parents on the bleachers were already whispering and staring at them and then me. It reminded me of when Sergei and I had gone public with our relationship a year ago. Mostly everyone at the rink had been supportive, but that didn’t stop the usual gossipers from huddling and gawking at us. The novelty of our situation had worn off, but now we were at the center of a juicy new story. Thanks, Sergei.
    After I’d run, stretched, and prepared all my muscles, I ditched my sneakers and donned my skates. My first few crossovers around the rink brought me a serenity I hadn’t felt in forever. I unzipped my warm-up jacket and leaned over the boards, tossing it onto the bleachers. Building up speed again, I skated around my training mates and did a few easy waltz jumps. The icy breeze on my skin invigorated every part of me.
    I practiced my jumps, spins, and footwork over and over until it was time to teach with Sergei. Courtney and her partner Mark glided over to me while Sergei finished putting on his skates. Elena and Liza had taken seats on the top row of the bleachers. There was a big space between them, which I guessed was Liza’s doing.
    “I showed Liza the locker room and we talked a little,” Courtney said quietly. “She asked me about you and Sergei.”
    “What about us?”
    “She said you guys seemed really nice. She asked if you’re nice when you coach, too. Of course, I told her you’re like the most super awesome coaches ever.”
    I smiled. “You remember that when we ask you to do triple run-throughs. Did she say anything else?”
    “Hmm… not much. I told her about some of the fun stuff there is to do around here.”
    Sergei joined us, so Courtney and I cut our chat short and got to work. The hour of working on choreography for the kids’ new programs flew by. When Sergei and I went to change out of our skates, he brought up dinner plans.
    “I was just going to order a pizza or something,” I said. “We have to unpack, and I’m sure Elena and Liza are tired from the trip. I’m waiting for the jet lag to hit me once I get home.”
    “Yeah, we should definitely keep it low-key tonight. I won’t stay long at your place. I just want to spend a little time with Liza.”
    I nodded, but a twinge of jealousy struck again. She’s his daughter , I reminded myself. She deserved all Sergei’s attention the next few weeks.
    But I was already missing him.

Chapter Ten
     
    “Is dinner going to be super awkward? Maybe I’ll take my pizza to my room,” Aubrey said.
    I pulled a bag of ready-made salad from the refrigerator and tore it open. “Please stay. I have no idea what to expect. Liza’s been so quiet that I don’t know if she’ll even talk to us.”
    Aubrey brushed her long blonde hair to one shoulder. “It must be so weird for her, to all of a sudden find out your cousin is your mom, and this coach you’ve seen on TV is your dad. How does a kid process that?”
    “She’s still barely talking to Elena.” I lowered my voice as I looked toward the stairs. “I haven’t heard a peep out of them while they’ve been unpacking.”
    “I swear, this whole thing is like some really bad Lifetime movie.”
    I laughed and shook my head as I dumped the salad into a bowl and tossed it with oil and vinegar. Aubrey scooted past me in the narrow kitchen and reached into the oak cupboard, taking out five glasses. I’d never been so glad to have a