“We’ll follow you soon,” she called to Maya who was already trudging through the snow in the direction of the main street. Maya waved a hand in reply. Turning to Finn she said, quieter, “Can we just stay here—for a bit—before the craziness starts?”
Nodding, Finn sat back, his face serene, looking entirely like he’d carved first tracks in the most perfect pow. Sam’s insides fluttered. There was a softness to his features now, the sharp angles of his face softened by the shy smile he gave her. His hair fell over his forehead, tousled—just like it had been last night when he’d moved on top of her.
“You look happy,” she said.
“I am happy.”
Looking at him from under her eyelashes, Sam was struck by how relaxed he was, how contentment seemed to wrap around him. He’d looked like that the first day she’d met him, the day she’d lost her heart to him. She pulled him closer to her, until their breath mingled into one steamy cloud in the freezing night air. “I love you, Finn Bradley.”
“I love you, you legend, Sam Harrington.” His eyes twinkled. “Always have.”
“Right back at ya.” Sam scrunched her nose up. “But can we save the romance for later? I’m freezing my ass off here and I’m dying for a cocktail. Let’s go before they drink the place dry!”
“You said ass and cock in the same sentence.” Finn groaned. “And you expect me to go to the bistro?”
Sam leaned into him, her hands skimming his shoulders, her fingers soft at the nape of his neck, tangling in his hair.Her lips touched his, softly then she grinned as she felt his hands on her hips, pulling her against him.
“Nope!” She jumped up from the bench as he ran his hand down her hip and grabbed her ass. She swatted his hand away with a giggle. “Keep those thoughts for later. Come on! Race ya!”
Running through the snow, Sam looked back at Finn as he ran to catch up with her. His smile was infectious, and she laughed out loud as he outpaced her. Then he slowed down, coming back to take her cold hand in his warm one. They kept pace with each other, jogging side by side down to the street.This was the way it always should have been.Just the two of them. Together they could take on the world.
25
Sam
Friday, 13th February
Monteluce shimmered with candlelight. The top-class restaurant was busy, the soft clinking of crystal and china, and piano music threaded through the air. The tables were draped in crisp linen, and the quiet hum of conversation enhanced the serene and calming décor. Sam stood in the foyer, gripping the side of her ankle-length, deep coral, velvet slip dress. She stared around and chewed on her bottom lip, then stopped remembering how painstaking it had been to get her lipstick on earlier. The maître d’ smiled at them, his face calm and professional even though his eyebrow had flickered slightly at Sam’s footwear. She smothered a smile. Maya had given her two options: ballet flats, or knee-high biker boots, which were a lot more elegant on than they’d looked in her suitcase, and the ones that Sam had chosen. There was no way she was ruining Maya’s hard-earned Chanel flats in the snow.
“Now, listen to me,” Maya said as she gently slapped Sam’s hand away from the lace-edged strap on her dress. “Girl! No fidgeting! Just relax and have a good time. Do you hear me?”
“Yes, boss.” Sam blew a blonde tendril back from her face. Maya had pulled out all the stops for this evening—her firstrealdate with Finn since they’d more or less told the world that they were a couple. “Shoulders down, smile on … What if this all goes wrong, Maya? This place is … it’s overwhelming.”
“Tshh!” Maya rolled her eyes. “It’s filled with people—people who eat, drink, and fart—just like you do. Everyone here is thinking the same thing. Don’t you for one minute think that you’re here to impress anyone, okay?”
“Because you are already impressing them.” Finn’s deep voice made Sam spin around, the skirt of her slip dress billowing slightly, the high slit revealing a little of her thigh. “Wow!” His eyes widened as he gaped at her before closing his mouth. “You look incredible.”
Sam felt her cheeks heat up under his gaze. “I wasn’t sure …”
“I am,” Finn said leaning in to kiss her. “You are astonishing—and the only person I know who can pull off those boots with that dress.”
“It’s snowing out!” Sam playfully slapped his chest. “You don’t look bad yourself.”
Finn grinned and grasped his lapels. His navy-blue blazer caught the light, the rich fabric dark against the crisp white dress shirt beneath it. Sam ran her eyes down his frame as he winked at her. “I do, don’t I?”
“Humble as always,” Maya chimed in. “But you do scrub up well, Bradley.”
“I’m glad to hear it,” Finn said, a slight chuckle giving away his nerves. “I knew you were styling Sam—so I had to step up my game. Didn’t want to be upstaged. Thank you, by the way—the suit fits like it was made for me.”
Maya beamed. “My pleasure, now go on, you two, get in there and enjoy your evening and try to forget I’m here. I’ll take just a few shots and be gone.”
“That’s a lie.” Sam rolled her eyes affectionately. “You’ll be at the bar, phone at the ready like a proud stage mom!”
“I have no shame.” Maya was already stepping back, angling her phone. “Now, walk slow—give me that ‘yes, you guessed it—we’re a couple’ vibe.”
Finn offered Sam his arm. “Shall we?”
Sam took his arm, smiling shyly as people looked up and recognized her and Finn as they walked to their window table. Outside the lights of Livigno twinkled as the snow continued to fall gently. Inside, candlelight flickered, and the scent of warm bread and roses filled the air. Sam settled onto the comfortable leather seat. She tucked one boot-clad leg behind the other, her eyes on Finn as he pulled at his cuffs before sitting down.
