“Liar,” Finn said. His blue eyes filled with concern, the edges crinkling as he offered a soft smile. “I know you, Sam Harrington. You can’t hide from me.”
Sam’s mouth fell open slightly. She stared at him, then forced a smile. If he really knew her so well … then he would know how she felt. Wouldn’t he see that he was—and always had been—the one person she loved more than anything? If he did know—why wasn’t he saying anything? Her heart hammered in her chest. Her palms grew sweaty. Maybe his silence said it all. She smiled wider and shrugged as if she wasn’t breaking apart inside.
“Fine. Apology accepted.”
“Good.” Finn’s eyebrows lowered as Maya reappeared, carrying three drinks awkwardly in her small hands.
“Tough crowd over there,” she announced as Finn helped her. “But here we are, one bubbly, one beer, and one mystery cocktail that will apparently change my life.” She grinned and raised her glass. “Cheers to gold medals, sponsorship deals, and cute barmen!”
Sam clinked glasses with Maya and Finn, who seemed to have managed a genuine smile for the first time since he’d gotten his gold medal earlier. His smile, however, faded away as his ex, Harper, glided over to them.
Sam stiffened but managed a small smile. “Hey, Harper.”
“Hey.” Harper tilted her head, her blonde hair cascading over one shoulder. She laid a hand on Finn’s arm, her perfectly manicured nails glinting under the twinkling fairy lights. “Congratulations, Finn. I always knew you had it in you. Gold suits you.”
Finn pulled his arm back. “Thanks, Harper. I guess it does.”
Harper smiled widely, her gray eyes flashing over Finn. “Aren’t you going to congratulate me too?”
Finn frowned. Sam glanced at Maya and caught a flicker of worry in her eyes.What was going on?She turned to Harper with a light laugh. “You havemoreto be congratulated on?”
Harper lowered her tone. “You haven’t heard? Oh, I feel strange telling you my news, and it’s not a brag. I never expected it, and I’m just so thrilled and honored …”
“Heard what?” Sam said, while glancing from Finn toMaya who were looking stunned.Would she ever just get on with it?
Harper brushed an imaginary piece of fluff from her arm, her eyes sparkling. Glancing up at Sam she beamed. “It’s not public knowledge yet, only those in the know, know, but I thought you knew?” She turned to Maya.
Before Maya could retort, Finn interjected, “No, Harper, we haven’t a clue what you’re on about.”
Harper raised an eyebrow, her smile wide with happiness. “Well then, I’ll tell you!” She winked at Sam. “I know how you feel about women in sport, and how we always get second dibs when it comes to anything, so I think you’ll be happy for me—it’s a step in the right direction for us women.” She wrinkled her nose and did a tiny dance on the spot. “Salvaro want me to head their next campaign—can you believe it!?”
Sam’s throat constricted.Salvaro had gone and chosen Harper?A ringing sound in her ears made her stagger a little. She felt Maya’s hand on her back, steadying her. Through the ringing sound she just about made out Finn and Maya murmuring congratulations to Harper.
“I know, right,” Harper said as Sam tuned back in. “I can hardly believe it. I never thought it was possible—for me, you know? We’re signing tomorrow, before our qualie.”
Sam choked out the words. “Oh my God, Harper—wow!”
Maya caught hold of Sam by the elbow and pinched her. Sam pulled her arm away but smiled wider at Harper. “Huge congratulations!”
“Thank you.” Harper looked as if she was about to cry.“I knew you’d be happy for me—for women. This really is amazing.”
“It sure is,” Sam said. She felt like crying too. “I’m happy for you, Harper. But we have friends waiting …”
“Oh! Of course,” Harper said with a wave of her hand. “Have a great night.”
Sam watched as Harper slipped away into the crowd. The room suddenly felt too warm, too loud. She turned to Finn and caught his arm. “She got Salvaro.”
Finn nodded. “I got that.”
“Urgh,” Maya said. She frowned.
Finn took a mouthful of his beer, and a long look at Sam before speaking. “Don’t let it rattle you. Not now. Don’t let it get in the way of your qualie tomorrow.”
“Easier said than done,” Sam said. “When she’s a gold medalist who has the deal I wanted.”
“She’s a gold medalist by chance,” Finn said quietly, his eyes on Sam’s. “And you know it.” Sam was about to interrupt when she caught the deep warmth in his eyes. “And tomorrow, imagine that gold medal inyourhands, because it’s yours, Sam. It’s your gold medal. You’re unstoppable, and you need to remember that. Look at us—look at how far we’ve come.”
A warmth bloomed in Sam’s chest, spreading like adrenaline before a first jump. He was right. His words made her feel like she really could do it.
