“Yikes.” I shook my head. “No thanks, I’m good.”
Because Ifinallybelieved that my story would be well told.
All thanks to the one person I swore I’d never trust again.
Chapter Twenty-Six
They’d teased me into watching a little more footage once Ben and Neil got back with the pizzas. All of it felt lovingly captured, even without the sound, which I’d forced them to leave turned off.
“Okay, that’s enough for me,” I said. “It looks great. Thank you.”
“We’re so close to the finish line,” Neil said. “Just your interview, then you’re rid of us until Italy.”
“Speaking of that final interview,” Hailey said. “It looks like we’re going to need to revisit the schedule since our flight is messed up.”
My stomach dropped. “It’s canceled?”
She looked down to study her phone. “Delayed until six. At least for now.”
Which meant I’d lose another day on the ice.
The original plan was for us to fly back, then they’d set up at the rink while I banged out a practice session, after which I’d sit down with Ben for the final solo interview. Getting home after eight meant no time for either.
“I have a feeling we’ll be okay by the afternoon,” Ben said. “The snow is tapering off, and if you look at the forecast it’s going to be sunny after ten tomorrow.”
That was Ben, ever the optimist.
“And I have an idea for the final interview,” he added.
I was exhausted and ready to go comatose in my bed but I perked up at the mention of our remaining interview. “Oh?”
Neil and Hailey seemed equally curious.
“Well, now you’ve gotta tell us. No cliffhangers,” Neil said.
“Since the flight is delayed, we’re doing it here,” Ben said. “Tomorrow, while we wait to leave.” He turned to me. “That is, if it’s okay with you.”
Worry bloomed in my chest. I knew it was coming, buttomorrow?
“Hold on,” Hailey said. “We agreed to stick to a schedule and this is a giant deviation.”
“Act of God,” Neil replied, pointing out the snowy window.
“But do you have anything else to wear, Quinn?” Hailey asked me, ever the ally. “And did you pack makeup and stuff?”
“I have other clothing...” I’d learned the hard way to always have options. “But...”
“No, actually it’s perfect,” Neil interrupted. “If we knock out the final interview tomorrow we can switch our flights and just head straight to New York instead of going back to Colorado with you.”
“No pressure, though,” Ben added.
With the three of them staring at me expectantly I felt plenty of pressure. It made sense. Getting the final interview over with would free all of us up. I should’ve jumped at the opportunity to put it behind me, but that would mean the end of whatever was happening with Ben. Thanks to our little sledding moment, our connection felt like an entirely new beast to be tamed.
“We can set up in the conference room and knock it out first thing tomorrow, which’ll free you up to train until we have to leave,” Ben added.
I didn’t love the shift, but it made sense.
“Okay. I’m in,” I finally said.
