Page 123 of Chasing Gold, Catching Her

All athletes had been given metal badges from their countries to exchange with one another.

“This is from Norway,” Tora said softly. “We’re all friends here.” She winked.

Alisa smiled despite herself and carefully took the badge from her fingers, her fingertips brushing against Tora’s palm for just a second longer than necessary, but long enough for the warmth to settle beneath her skin.

“Thank you for the cute badge,” Alisa murmured, examining the tiny design with the Olympic rings, snowflakes, and figure skates. “I can’t give you anything in return.”

Tora smiled slowly and leaned closer.

“Oh, you definitely can,” she whispered near Alisa’s ear, “in my bedroom.”

Alisa immediately felt heat rush into her cheeks.

Before she could even answer, another skater approached, it was a girl from Japan who handed Alisa a badge with a bright smile.

“Here you go!”

“Arigato!”14 Alisa replied automatically, bowing her head slightly.

The Japanese skater laughed softly, bowed back, and disappeared toward the rink doors moments later.

By then Tora had already turned toward the exit too, preparing to head back onto the ice, but Alisa impulsively caught her wrist.

“Are you going to watch the men’s event tonight? At 7:45 p.m.?”

“And you?” Tora glanced back over her shoulder.

“I’m planning to support our team from the fancy VIP athletes’ lodge,” Alisa giggled.

Tora nodded with a grin. “Then I’ll be there too.”

“See you later.”

“See you, Slavic girl.” Tora winked again before finally disappearing through the doors and onto the ice.

And Alisa remained standing in the almost-empty locker room, alone with her thoughts, exhausted beyond belief, but suddenly excited about something very simple and stupidly comforting.

The Olympic breakfast.

* * *

After an insanely intense group training session, Alisa left the gym with aching muscles and a desperate desire to stretch out somewhere in silence, but first she needed food and at least a little rest, and later in the evening there were still the men’s singles and pairs programs to watch. Alisa genuinely loved watching the other athletes perform, this was the Olympics after all, and she wanted to experience it not only as a skater, but also as part of this huge living world around her.

She dressed warmly because the arena was freezing, wrapping herself in the fluffy oversized jacket with her surname embroidered on the back, the Russian flag, and the Olympic figure skating team badge. The moment she had received that jacket, she already knew she would live in it twenty-four seven.

She met Tora near the arena entrance, and they immediately waved at each other before hugging tightly, Tora kissing her softly on the cheek.

“Hi, how are you today?”

“I’m okay, thanks… and you? How was practice?”

“It was good,” Tora answered right away, and together they headed toward the common athletes’ area, where the front rows were already packed. Apparently everyone wanted the best view tonight.

Since the front seats were gone, Alisa quickly spotted two empty ones closer to the center and immediately threw her jacket over them to claim them.

Tora gasped dramatically. “Alisa!”

“What? Survival of the fittest,” Alisa shrugged innocently, already dragging her toward the drink station.