Sam choked. She looked wildly from Maya to Finn and the phone Maya was offering to her.Holy crap. No way! NO WAY! An email from Montalier. Not a DM, not a reply to a post. An actual email. What the…? Had they done it? Was this what they’d been hoping for? A sponsorship deal? What if it wasn’t? But they’d hardly email if it wasn’t, would they?Her head spun with all the possibilities.
Her hands trembling, Sam took the phone from Maya. Turning to Finn, she pushed the phone into his hands. He fumbled. The phone slipped and fell into the snow.
“Shit,” he cursed, bending to pick it up. He held the phone out to her, as if it was a bomb. “Sam?”
Sam shook her head vigorously. “No. Noppppe. You do it.”
“Nah-uh,” Finn said. “This is your baby.”
“It is not!” Sam pushed him gently. “It’s yours too!”
Maya snorted. “Much and all as I like hearing you two talk about babies, this isn’t doing us any good. One of you, read the email before I combust!”
Sam shook her head again. “No, Finn—please do it. I can’t …” She doubled over, her head spinning. “What if they … what if they hate us?”
“They don’t hate us—you!” Maya said, patting her back gently. “How could they?”
“I don’t know,” Sam cried, looking up at her from her crouched position. “Maybe we’re too … I don’t know! But they could!”
“Listen here, missy,” Maya said with steel in her voice. “No one on this wide world could hate you—except maybe Harper, now she might really hate you—but no one else. Cross my heart and hope to die, I wouldn’t tell you a lie.”
“That’s not helping.” Sam whimpered. “Call yourself a friend, huh?” She rubbed her stomach to try to ease the smarting pain that jabbed her insides.
“Maybe you should stand up,” Maya said, stepping closer to her. “Everyone is looking at us.” She smiled broadly at a fan who stopped in her tracks and about-turned when she saw Maya’s crazy grin.
Sam stood up—too fast. Black spots danced in front of her eyes. She grabbed Finn’s arm to steady herself, catching his pale face as she did. “What? Did you open it?”
Finn nodded mutely. His hands were white from holding the phone so tight. Sam’s mouth went dry.They’d flunked it.Why else would he look so devastated? Pushing her shaking hands deep into her pockets she braced herself as his eyes reached hers.
He cleared his throat and looked down at the screen.
“Tell me what it says,” Sam said, hoarsely. “Please.”
“Give me your hand,” Finn said. Slowly, Sam withdrewone hand from her warm pocket and grasped his, gasping as he grabbed her tightly. He cleared his throat again, then began to read:
“Dear Maya, I hope you’re doing well! On behalf of everyone at Montalier, we’d like to extend our warmest congratulations to Sam on her incredible Olympic win! Her performance was nothing short of spectacular. Coming on the back of seeing her Instagram posts wearing vintage Montalier was an unexpected but thrilling moment for us. She and Finn, as a couple, truly embody the timeless spirit and passionate evolution of our brand, and we couldn’t be more delighted.”
Finn paused. Sam raised her eyes to his, butterflies swirling around her entire stomach just as the wind whipped up the falling snow around them. “Don’t stop!”
He smiled, and she gave a little jump.
He continued, the smile broadening on his face as her eyes widened. “We’d love to discuss a sponsorship opportunity for both Sam and Finn, as we believe they represent the perfect blend of passion, talent, and innovation that Montalier stands for. In addition, we’re keen to explore a collaboration with them on a special collection—one that not only celebrates Montalier’s heritage through vintage-inspired designs but also pushes forward our commitment to sustainability with a more eco-conscious approach to performance wear. Let us know a convenient time to discuss further—we’re incredibly excited about the possibilities ahead!”
Sam squealed! Her hand squeezed Finn’s tighter until she had to let go. Massaging her cramping hand she jumped into the air, howling with joy. “We did it! FINN! Argh!”
“A collab!” Maya took the phone back. “This is beyond brilliant. A collab with Montalier—Sam, Finn—you guys—promise me you’ll remember me when you’re famous.”
Sam threw her arms around Finn, kissing him soundly on the cheek and screeching in his ear. He patted her and pushed her away, gently. His face ashen and still.
“Finn?” Sam peered into his face. “Did you hear what you read?”
Finn nodded. Gradually the color came back to his cheeks as Sam rubbed his arms. Scared, but buzzing still, she led him to a bench near the edge of the pathway and made him sit down. Maya sat beside him as if propping him up.
“Finn?” Sam sat down and nudged his shoulder. “Talk to me, or I’ll have to go get a medic.”
He let out a short laugh. “Still breathing, don’t worry. Just … winded.”
“I hear you,” Sam said. “It’s a lot to take in.”
