Maya raised an eyebrow at Sam and giggled. “So this is how we’re playing it, is it?”
Sam wrinkled her nose and huffed again. “One more,” she called. “That one wasn’t good.”
“Do you want some of my chill?” Maya whispered as the woman practically wrapped herself around Finn’s toned torso again.
“Nope,” Sam said. “No chill needed. I am chill personified.”
“Yeah, in your dreams.” Maya took the phone and handed it to the woman who was trying to get Finn’s number.
Sam crossed her arms as Finn wrangled his way out of more photos, promising he’d be around to watch the men’s freestyle moguls and that he’d have more time then. He ambled toward them, his eyes darkening as he got closer.Sam shivered and wished she knew what was going on in his head.
“Oh! I almost forgot.” Maya pulled out her phone. “You two have a dinner date—the team has arranged it all. I’m using all my amazing caption skills for this one, so prepare yourselves to thank me profusely:a candlelit dinner so magical you’d think Cupid himself cooked it—in the fabulous and exclusive Monteluce. This Friday, I assume you both are free.”
“Ooooh Friday!” Sam said, as they began walking back to town. “You know this Friday is Friday the thirteenth.”
Finn shrugged. “I don’t believe in superstitions.”
Maya snorted. “Excuse me? Says the guy who wouldn’t ski without his magic pebble—remember that? Yeah, I thought so.”
Finn gawped. “It was a lucky stone—not a magic pebble. Big difference.”
Leaning on Maya, Sam stage-whispered, “He made me carry it in my bra once, in case he lost it.”
“That wasonetime!” Finn shook his head, grinning. “One time!”
“What I want to know, is where is it now?” Sam giggled. “In your … ?” She glanced down at his pants.
“Hell no!” Finn feigned horror. He pulled his glove off and held up the small flat stone, the one he carried everywhere. Its deep gray color was flecked with white spots and there was a smooth indentation on one side that seemed to hug Finn’s thumb. He’d always had it on him when he competed. He said it was lucky because it was the last thing his father had given him before he’d passed away. Sam smiled, glad to see he still had it.
“Well, the moral of the story is: don’t claim not to be superstitious when you are,” Maya said. “And speaking of magical things, do you know what it took me to get a reservation at Monteluce—three charms, spells and a minor miracle. You all should be worshipping me like the Slay Queen that I am.”
“All hail Queen Maya!” Finn chanted as they walked. Sam smiled. It was beginning to feel normal again, as if nothing had happened. She was right—she’d been reading too much into things.
The snow crunched beneath their feet as the three friends walked and chatted.
“Well,” Maya said brightly as they reached the bar where everyone seemed to be waiting. She yanked open the door, a mischievous grin brightening her face. “Time to celebrate!”
The bar was alive with energy. The upbeat music had everyone in a good mood. The delicious smell of spiced wine and coffee wrapped around them as they squeezed in the doorway. People were tightly packed around rustic tables, laughter and chatter mingled with the music, and fairy lights were strung along beams adding a cozy charm to the otherwise upmarket ski lodge vibe. Sam spotted Davide and Valentina waving from a corner table.
“Looks like they’re already celebrating you.” She nudged Finn. “Think you can handle the attention for another while, Mister Goldie McGold Medal Winner?”
Finn grinned. “I think I could get used to this, yeah.”
“Let’s grab drinks,” Maya declared, grabbing both Sam and Finn by the wrists and pulling them in from the entrance. “My shout. What are you having?”
“Anything with bubbles,” Sam said, as if injected with celebratory energy.
“A beer, please,” Finn called as Maya wriggled her way to the bar. He turned to Sam, a soft quietness in his eyes that hadn’t been there earlier. The noise of the bar faded just enough for Sam to catch his words.
“I feel kind of weird,” he said. “Getting a gold. Standing up there. You should have your medal too.”
Sam shook her head quickly. “No, Finn, stop. This is your moment—you earned it.” She touched his arm and squeezed it gently, her heart filled with love as he gazed down at her. “You were incredible out there, honestly, Finn. You were the best, clearly—you won!”
Her mouth dried up. He’d managed to make half of their dream come true.
Finn’s eyes found hers again. “It will be your turn next,” he said. “I believe that, more than anything—and Sam, I’m sorry—for whatever I said last night to upset you.”
Sam’s throat tightened. “You didn’t say or do anything.”
