Chapter 47 #2
Vasiliev blinked. “Because it concerns federation business.”
I glanced around the lobby. “As far as I can tell, it concerns whether I get on a bus.”
A sound suspiciously close to a laugh came from somewhere behind me, and I took a peek.
Nathan developed a deep interest in the ceiling.
Vasiliev’s jaw tightened.
The noise of the lobby seemed louder. Wheels rattled across the floor somewhere behind us. Someone called out in Italian.
Life continued around a conversation that felt as though it had been building for years.
Vasiliev was the first to break eye contact. I saw the moment he realized he wasn’t changing my mind. His expression grew pinched.
“You have already decided.” This time all I heard in his voice was resignation.
I nodded. “Yes.”
He exhaled heavily, adjusted the cuffs of his jacket, and stepped back.
“Then there is nothing more to discuss.”
“No,” I agreed. “There isn’t.”
Sokolov remained where he was. The others had already started moving toward the doors when he finally held out his hand. The gesture caught me off guard, and for a heartbeat neither of us moved.
Then I took it. His grip was firm and familiar, the same handshake he’d given me after my first national title. After dozens of competitions.
“You were always stubborn,” he muttered.
I laughed. “So were you.”
The corner of his mouth twitched, not quite a smile, but closer than I’d expected. Then he released my hand and followed the others out of the lobby.
I watched them go with the strange awareness that a chapter of my life had ended and nobody had bothered to announce it.
Dean nudged my shoulder. “Incoming.”
I was already feeling exhausted.
Helen crossed the lobby, a garment bag hung over one shoulder, and a phone occupying one hand, her attention focused on it.
I had no idea how she avoided colliding with furniture.
She stopped in front of us and slipped her phone into her pocket. Then she studied me before nodding.
“You look better.”
I laughed. “Good morning to you too.”
“Good morning. You still look tired though.”
“That’s because he is,” Dean informed her.
Helen glanced at him. “Thank you, Dean. I’m delighted we’ve established the obvious.”
Noah snorted into his coffee, and the tension lingering from the federation confrontation eased another notch.
Helen ignored him and glanced toward the entrance where the Velkaryan officials had already disappeared from sight. “I assume that conversation went about as well as expected.” The question was directed at me, but there was no urgency behind it.
“It could have been worse.”
Helen reached into her bag and pulled out a folder. She handed it to me.
“Your flight confirmation.”
I looked down at it. My name sat at the top of the page, followed by the departure time, the airline, a seat number… Ordinary information of a kind I’d seen many times before, but for some reason this felt different.
Helen waited while I read through it.
“This is for tomorrow morning.”
She nodded. “The same flight as the U.S. team.”
Dean leaned over to peer at it. “Window seat?”
I fought to suppress my smile.
Helen looked at him. “Obviously.”
“Good.”
She grinned. “I’m glad we’ve settled the important issue.”
Dean smiled. “I have priorities.”
“I’ve noticed.”
I was still trying hard not to smile. This is so… surreal.
I had a boarding pass for a flight leaving Milan at ten forty in the morning.
Helen seemed to recognize my expression. “Paperwork starts when we land.”
That dragged my attention back to her. “Paperwork?”
She looked mildly offended. “What did you think immigration law involved?”
I considered that. “Less paperwork?”
Helen laughed. “Oh, you’re going to be disappointed.” She glanced at her watch. “We still have a few hours before I need to leave for the airport.”
“You’re flying today?” I asked.
She nodded. “I have meetings on the West coast tomorrow.” She followed my gaze to the folder in my hands. “Keep that somewhere safe.”
“I will.”
“Excellent. You’re all here.” Mark Winton came over to us carrying a cup of coffee, and stopped in front of me. “Helen tells me you’ve finally stopped giving everyone heart palpitations.”
I glanced toward Helen, who didn’t even attempt innocence. “I have no idea what he’s talking about.”
“First lesson, Mr. Davorin.” His eyes twinkled. “She’s a terrible liar.” Then his attention shifted to the folder still tucked beneath my arm. He took a sip of coffee. “So now we can start talking about skating.”
Dean groaned immediately. “He hasn’t even gotten on the plane yet.”
“But I want to talk about skating,” I protested.
Mark flashed Dean a smug look that said See?
“Because I have been thinking,” I continued.
Mark folded his arms. “Uh-oh.”
“Yes, I’ve been thinking about pairs.”
The conversations around us paused. Brooke’s eyebrows disappeared somewhere near her hairline. Nathan looked immediately interested. Even Ethan stopped eating.
Mark remained completely still. “Pairs,” he repeated.
“Yes.”
His expression gave away nothing. “What about pairs?”
I glanced briefly at Dean.
Mark followed the look, then returned his attention to me.
“Oh.”