I snorted. “He says that every time someone hands him caffeine.” Then Mila stared at me. I stared back. “What?”
She narrowed her gaze and pointed at the hoodie. “You lasted less than twelve hours.”
I frowned. “I don’t know what that means.”
“ItmeansI expected at least one full day before you started stealing his clothes.”
Dean giggle-snorted.
I gaped at her. “I didn’t steal it.”
“Of course not.” Mila took a sip of tea. “It simply migrated.”
I looked down at the hoodie. “It was offered.”
Dean made a choking sound.
Mila nodded, her expression smug. “That’s usually how it starts.” She handed me tea, dropped into the chair by the window, then took out her phone. “Did you know an article described your kiss as a defining cultural moment?”
Dean groaned.
“It gets worse,” she continued. “A journalist wanted my perspective on your ‘developing emotional intimacy’,” she air-quoted.
I scowled. “I hate every word in that sentence.”
“I know.” Then she glanced at Dean. “So… why did you want me here so urgently?”
“I was told to get you here,” Dean informed her. “As for why—” Another knock interrupted him. “I think we’re about to find out.” He went to the door again.
Mark Winton stood outside with a woman I didn’t recognize. Shewas dressed plainly enough that I wouldn’t have looked twice at her in a crowd. Dean stood aside to let them enter.
“Hey.” Mark greeted me with a wave, then gestured to the woman. “Someone here you need to meet.”
She smiled. “I’m Helen Brooks, in charge of the US Figure Skating team.”
Mila abandoned her chair in a heartbeat, and Helen accepted it. Mila joined me on the bed. Dean remained standing, while Mark leaned against the door, hands stuffed into the pockets of his jacket.
Helen clasped her hands together. “I’ll save everyone some time. Nobody’s in trouble.”
The sentence sounded so absurd that I almost laughed.
Helen focused her gaze on me. “We’ve followed your career for years, Luka. Every major federation has. But that’s not why I’m here.”
The room went quiet.
She cleared her throat. “There are legal pathways available for athletes who decide not to return home. Training visas. Residency sponsorships. Eventually citizenship, if they want it.”
I looked at her, then at Mark, then back to her.
Mila recovered first. “You’ve done this before?”
“Yes.”
“With skaters?”
“With all kinds of athletes.” Helen leaned back. “All came from different circumstances, different countries.”
I wrapped both hands around my tea.
