My phone vibrated suddenly in my hand.
You were amazing. Both of you.
Dean’s words were exactly what I needed. A rush of warmth spread through me as I reread them.
Mila didn’t even need to see the screen. “That’s him, isn’t it?”
“Yes.”
“The media can write whatever they want,” she said in a low voice. “It will not change what is true.”
I held her gaze. “And what is that?”
Her expression gentled. “That you’re not theirs.”
Somewhere farther down the corridor, a volunteer called our names for doping control.
Reality resumed in a heartbeat.
Mila released my hand and straightened. “Come on. Let us go maintain the illusion.”
A laugh almost escaped me.
Almost.
Then my phone buzzed again.
Dean: Later?
I smiled and sent back a thumbs up.
Three dots appeared almost at once.
Dean: After watching you skate like that, I’m officially rejecting the no-sex-before-competition rule.
My breath caught so abruptly that Mila glanced sideways at me. “What?”
I locked my phone before she could see the screen, but it was too late to stop the heat crawling over my face.
Mila’s eyes narrowed. Then she smiled. “You two are becoming impossible.”
For once, I couldn’t argue.
Media 6
VELKARYA THROWS THE TEAM EVENT WIDE OPEN AFTER STUNNING PAIRS SHORT PROGRAM
Davorin and Kadanek post a season’s best as medal race tightens in Milan
ICE SCOPE — LIVE COVERAGE
“Velkarya just changed the entire mood in this building.”
“They’ve always had technical quality, but tonight felt bigger than that.”
“Davorin looked looser than usual. I don’t think I’ve ever seen him skate like that internationally.”
“Their lifts were absurd.”
