Are you still awake? I’m coming back to the room.
Sam smiled and fired off her reply.
I’m awake all right—I’m walking into the hotel bar and about to say hello to Gabriel Hawke.
Maya’s reply was almost instantaneous.
Do not move! I am on my way. Hubba hubba SMASH!
Sam giggled, glad to have something lighter to focus on. Maya had had her eyes on Gabriel since Finn had first competed against him a few years ago, long before she’d had the nerve to get Sam to introduce her to him last month. And since then, the pair seemed to create sparks whenever they were in the same room, but so far neither Maya nor Gabriel had made any move toward the other. Maybe this timesomethingwould happen.
Sam stifled a grin as she waved over at Gabriel where he stood casually leaning against the bar, one foot raised on the foot rail, and a crystal glass of whiskey in his hand. In the twinkling fairy lights Gabriel looked as if he was posing for aGQarticle. His well-fitted deep blue cashmere sweatercontrasted beautifully with the twinkle-lit background; his jacket hung open effortlessly. He took a sip from his whiskey as she made her way over to him, then slipped his hand into his dark jeans pocket. As usual, he exuded a quiet, comfortable yet commanding presence, and an elegance that only someone with his Italian heritage could get away with. The whole scene looked like it belonged on a postcard. The warm spicy scent of his whiskey mingled with something richer—dark chocolate and spice, maybe even a hint of clove. His aftershave was bound to make Maya’s mouth water. Sam smiled as his dark eyes still searched behind her. Yes, he was definitely keeping an eye out for Maya.
“Gabe,” she said. “Hi, fancy seeing you here. I thought you’d be with the rest of the press crew.”
Gabriel shook his head. “That scene isn’t for me. They’re … how can I say this without getting myself into trouble …” He paused, glancing around to make sure they weren’t going to be overheard.
“I won’t tell anyone.” Sam smiled, leaning in slightly. “Promise.”
He smiled and she could see why Maya was so into him. His smile was energizing, his laugh deep and real. “Let’s just say that the press room has more egos than the changing room ever had.”
Sam giggled. “That’s saying a lot.”
He nodded. “Isn’t it? Honestly, I don’t fit in there—they think I’m not one of them.”
“I get it,” Sam said. “Strange way to be when they’d be out of a job without us. Do you ever regret retiring?”
“Good point, and no, strangely enough. I thought I wouldbut I’m enjoying this side of things, being able to analyze jumps without being in competition with anyone.” He nodded to the barman. “Can I get you a drink—to celebrate you getting into tomorrow’s final?”
“No, thanks though.” Sam shrugged. “It wasn’t my best run. Not much to celebrate really.”
“What?” Gabriel squinted at her. “Don’t be silly. You’re at the Olympics, dealing with the most amount of pressure you’ll ever be under in your career—and your very first run got you a place in the final. That’s huge.”
Sam looked down. How could she explain it to Gabriel Hawke? The man had won his first Olympic medal in the very first event he’d competed in, and he’d been only twenty-two. He’d always seemed so self-assured, calm and collected, whereas she felt like a hot mess ninety-nine percent of the time.
“We’re not all as put together as you are,” she said, gently smiling at him. “I remember when you took that gold—you were as cool as a cucumber.”
“I wasn’t,” Gabriel said before taking a sip of his whiskey. “I was lucky, but you—you have what it takes. No one in this competition has what you have—they’re all watching you and measuring up to you. You remember that tomorrow.”
A warm sensation washed over Sam. No one had spoken so positively to her about her performance today. Not even Finn. She opened her mouth to reply, but Gabriel’s attention wasn’t on her anymore, which could only mean one thing: Maya had entered the building.
Gabriel cleared his throat, and Sam bit her lip, loving how his eyes lit up on seeing her friend.
“There you are!” Maya blazed into the hotel bar, causing heads to turn and conversations to falter as her undeniable energy and sassiness filled the room. “Look at you.” She paused, mid blaze, to look Gabriel up and down. “A real-life, walking, talkingGQspread. What do you think about my girl here?”
Gabriel gave Maya the once-over in return. “I was trying to buy her a drink to celebrate—”
“Uh-oh—no,” Maya said, waggling her finger at him. “She’s already had her quota for the night, and she needs to go to bed.”
“And what about you—do you need to go to bed too?” Gabriel raised an eyebrow suggestively at Maya. Sam watched in awe as her friend fluttered her eyelashes at the man of her dreams and as Gabriel all but melted in front of her.How did she do that?
“Need?” Maya pouted. “Maybe. Not right now though. Right now, I’m heading upstairs with my girl to plan her big day tomorrow. Goodnight now, sweet dreams.” Sam struggled to hold back a giggle as Maya blew Gabriel a kiss while simultaneously pushing Sam toward the exit.
“You are one class act, Maya Adams.” Sam broke into peals of laughter as they stood by the elevator. “How do you do it?”
“Watch and learn, honey, watch and learn.” Maya sashayed into the lift, leaving Gabriel Hawke watching her every move. “Now, bedtime for my girl—let’s get that medal tomorrow!”
11
