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Patrick hops off the bench to kneel in front of Scotty. “Can I help? It should be a little tighter so you don’t hurt your ankles.”

“Do you know everything or…?” Scotty teases.

“I grew up playing hockey. It’s been a while since I was on the ice, but it’s like riding a bike.” He glances over at the outdoor seasonal rink we’re sitting next to. It’s set up in the park in front of City Hall, and there are only a few other people currently skating. “It doesn’t look like anyone is too advanced, so I think we’ll be fine. I’m also happy to hold your hand if you’d like.”

Scotty smirks. “Should I pretend to fall so you catch me?”

“Don’t forget you’re wearing knife shoes,” I remind him with a laugh. “I don’t want our first official date to end in a trip to the emergency room.”

“Fine. I’ll only fall on accident,” Scotty promises, playfully rolling his eyes.

Patrick finishes tying Scotty’s skates and turns to me. “Need any help, love?”

“No, I got it, thanks.” I stand and offer my hand to help pull Scotty up, but I don’t let go as we walk to the rink’s entrance.

Patrick enters first and holds out a hand for each of us. I take it automatically and carefully step onto the ice, but Scotty hesitates, glancing around. I can’t tell if he’s nervous about potential public displays of affection with both of us, ice skating, or something else entirely, but I want to distract him from whatever is causing the worry line between his brows. “I’ve gotta say, I prefer this to Rockefeller Center.”

“Definitely,” Patrick immediately agrees, never taking his focus off Scotty as he takes his offered hand and carefully puts one foot onto the ice. “Way less people, and you know I love the city and the skyscrapers and history of it all, but there’s something so charming about being able to do this in a small town for the holidays.”

“I used to go to the one in Central Park,” Scotty adds, now fully on the ice, still holding Pat’s hand. “Still one of my favorite places. But I agree, there’s that extra holiday magic feeling doing this in a small town, especially since I’m about to embarrass myself when I fall, and I can’t even pretend it was on purpose because Joey wants me to be safe.”

“You’ve got this,” Patrick encourages.

I nod as I drop his hand so that he can focus on helping Scotty. The ice under my blades feels more familiar as I continue to move. Patrick and I usually ice skate once a winter since it’s something he really enjoys, and now I do too. I make a few lazy loops around the rink, keeping them in my peripheral vision. Patrick skates backward with ease, both hands holding Scotty’s as he guides him forward. Even from here, I can see the concentration on Scotty’s face.

“You’re doing great,” Patrick encourages, his voice carrying across the ice. “Just keep your knees bent a little. There you go.”

Scotty’s movements are stiff at first, but after a couple of passes around the rink, his shoulders start to relax. Patrick gradually releases one of his hands, then the other, skating beside him instead of in front.

“Oh my god, I’m doing it!” Scotty laughs, and the pure joy in his voice makes my chest warm.

“You’re a natural,” I call out as I glide up beside them.

“I wouldn’t go that far,” Scotty jokes, but he’s grinning. “I’m pretty sure I look like a baby deer right now.”

“A very cute baby deer,” Patrick assures him, reaching over to squeeze his shoulder.

The three of us skate side by side while Christmas music plays over the speakers. Patrick stays in the middle, close enough to steady either of us if needed, though neither of us does. The afternoon sun catches on the ice, making everything sparkle; it’s beautiful here.

“On a scale of one to ten, how embarrassing was I?” Scotty asks after a bit.

“Negative five,” I answer immediately. “Actually pretty fucking impressive for someone who hasn’t skated in years.”

“Though I have to admit, I was kind of hoping you’d need to hold onto me a little longer,” Patrick teases.

“Well, if you insist…”

Scotty shoots him a look, wobbling as he reaches for his arm. Patrick laughs, pulling him closer to wrap an arm around his waist to steady him.

“You too. Get over here.” Patrick reaches out his free hand toward me.

I take his hand and let him pull me in on his other side. We’re a slightly awkward trio now, taking up more of the rink than is probably polite, but there’s still only a handful of other skaters and plenty of room. Patrick’s hand is warm in mine, and when I glance over at Scotty, he’s already looking at me with soft eyes.

“This is nice,” Scotty says quietly.

“Yeah?” Patrick asks, and there’s something vulnerable in the question, like he needs the assurance that Scotty really is happy to be here with us.

“Yeah,” Scotty confirms.