“Speaking of a lot,” Maya chimed in. She nodded behind Sam. “It’s Leo.”
“It’s okay, Maya,” Sam said quietly. “He’s all right.”
Sam stood up as Leo and Becky came into sight. He offered her his hand. She took it and he pulled her into his arms.
“Congratulations, sis.” His hug was warm, tight. He squeezed her once more before letting her go. “You deserve it, Sam. You really do. That was out of this world—that last trick …”
“They’re calling it the switch mirage.” Becky laughed happily. “Sam—you’re a legend. No one has ever pulled off what you did! Gabe and Seb broke it down on TV, in slowmotion. Everyone is talking about you. How did you even come up with the idea?”
Sam sank down onto the bench, next to Finn. “I just did it,” she said. “I don’t know how. I think it had something to do with having more time in the air, pushing through on my front leg.”
Leo’s face reddened, his usually serious face beaming. “You think?”
“Yeah,” Sam said. “I sure do.” She leaned into Finn, loving how naturally he slipped his arm around her shoulders, at how his solid body offered her warmth, strength and love. Shifting through the memory of the moment in her mind, Sam remembered how strong she’d felt when she’d followed her gut and twisted into that cork, and how she’d felt when she’d landed it cleanly. Would she ever be able to do it again? Maybe if she took Leo’s advice … maybe if he coached her …
“A legend. Hell yeah—I can work with that. I can see it now … Sam—the myth … the legend … the mirage!” Maya’s chirpy voice made Sam smile before looking back to Becky.
“Maybe you and I can train together?” Becky asked, her voice more resolute, more mature than Sam had ever heard it. “Women together, in sport—lifting each other up. I’ll never forget today, Sam. It means the world to me.”
Sam smiled up at Becky, relishing how Leo did a double take. “I’d like that. Yeah, Becky, that would be great. But only if Leo is involved.”
Leo gasped but Sam saw the way he gripped Becky’s hand.
“Okay, that’s a date then,” Becky said. She turned to Leo, all business. “Speaking of dates, we’ve postponed the wedding for a few years. I think I want to try for the next winter Olympics. I won’t have time for wedding dresses or babies or whatever else the world has planned for me.”
Leo gaped. “Becks! We weren’t going to tell anyone.”
“Well, we can’t keep it a secret,” Becky said. “Honestly, babes, I’m not spending the next few months dodging questions and reading articles about why we haven’t set a date. There’s nothing wrong with a long engagement—you said so yourself.”
Leo looked chastened. His face reddened but he smiled and pulled her close to him. “I did, didn’t I? And you’re right, I know.”
“Even if it’s difficult to admit?” Becky chuckled, her eyes warm on Leo.
Leo rolled his eyes in a way that Sam knew so well.
“Oh, I think he knows,” she said. “Good call.” She laid her hand on Finn’s thigh, worried that he hadn’t said anything at all. “Are you heading down to Rustico? Yeah? Great, we’ll catch you up.”
She waited until Becky and Leo were out of earshot before turning to face Finn.
“Hey?” she said softly. “What’s going on? You haven’t said a thing since you read the email.”
“I don’t know what to say.” Finn took her face in his hands. He planted a soft kiss on her lips and drew back to look at her. Her heart contracted at the warmth and love in his eyes, at how gently, yet firmly, he held her.
“Look at you,” he said. “A legend already—not even inthe making. Living in the moment, breaking the rules—and winning because of it. You’re an inspiration, Sam. I wouldn’t be anything without you.”
“Finn!” Sam started to speak, but he kissed her quickly.
“And I definitely won’t look as good in vintage—or Montalier—as you do.” He grinned. “But I’ll give it my best shot. I do, however, think that we have to bow down to this freaking legend beside us—” He looked up at Maya who had gotten up to capture a few shots of their sheer joy.
“Me?” Maya squeaked, peering out from behind the camera. Her satsuma coat glowed as the snowfall began to thicken.
Sam threw her head back, a throaty chuckle reaching for the sky. Finn was right—Maya was going to be an instrumental part of their future. She’d chosen her prom dress, and made her wear the ski suit, and made her do that photo shoot.
“I’m right, aren’t I?” Finn said.
Maya propped her chin up with her hand, looked upwards and pretended to think about it before she struck a pose. “Damn right, you’re right. But whatever—because I am not liking this baby blizzard that’s happening—my hair will frizz up. Come on. Move it, you two lovebirds. There’s a bistro with a bottle of champagne with my name on it and I intend to get very drunk indeed.”
Finn made to move, but Sam pulled him back down. The pathway was empty now. It was the first time they’d had alone since the morning. The bistro was going to be packed. It would be fun and loud, but right now she longed to be alone with him, even if only for a few moments.
