Ethan coughed. “On second thoughts, I might be a little late.” Then he made a mad dash over to the elevator.
Brooke guffawed. “Does anyone expect to see Ethan again tonight?”
I slipped my hand into Luka’s. “An hour seems like a very generous amount of time.”
Luka glanced sideways at me, his eyes twinkling. “It is.”
“Whatever shall we do to fill it?”
A snort came from behind us, followed by another. I turned. Unfortunately, the entire team was still within earshot.
Nathan was grinning his head off.
“What?” I fired at him.
He held his hands up. “I didn’t say a word.”
Brooke snickered. “You didn’t need to.”
Luka looked from Noah to Nathan as though trying to determine whether they were serious.
Noah clapped his hands before the teasing could continue. “Enough. Lobby. One hour, people.” As everyone began drifting away, he called after Luka and Mila. “Oh, before I forget. Closing ceremony tomorrow night.”
Mila nodded. “What about it?”
“You’re sitting with us.”
She blinked. “The American team?”
“Of course.”
Luka frowned. “I am reasonably certain that is not how national teams work.”
“Itishow it works at the closing ceremony.” Noah waved a hand dismissively. “Everyone walks in with their own delegation. After that, nobody cares, or at least, that’s what I’ve been told.”
“That’s true,” Brooke added. “It’s complete chaos.”
“The best kind.” Nathan smiled. “You spend two to three weeksmaking friends with people from all over the world and then suddenly you’re supposed to stay with your own team? Nobody does.” His eyes gleamed. “So we’re adopting you.”
Mila laughed. “I don’t remember agreeing to this.”
“You don’t get a vote.” Donna sounded smug.
“That’s concerning.”
“It’s tradition,” she retorted. “And you’restillsitting with us.”
Noah pointed at both of them. “You belong with the US team.”
Mila looked at Luka.
Luka looked at me. His smile held no trace of uncertainty.
“One of us definitely belongs with the US team.”
Chapter Forty-Six
February 22
