Chapter 24
Sam
Sam choked. She looked wildly from Maya to Finn and the phone Maya was offering to her.
Holy crap. No way! NO WAY! An email from Montalier.
Not a DM, not a reply to a post. An actual email.
What the … ? Had they done it? Was this what they’d been hoping for?
A sponsorship deal? What if it wasn’t? But they’d hardly email if it wasn’t, would they?
Her head spun with all the possibilities.
Her hands trembling, Sam took the phone from Maya. Turning to Finn, she pushed the phone into his hands. He fumbled. The phone slipped and fell into the snow.
“Shit,” he cursed, bending to pick it up. He held the phone out to her, as if it was a bomb. “Sam?”
Sam shook her head vigorously. “No. Noppppe. You do it.”
“Nah-uh,” Finn said. “This is your baby.”
“It is not!” Sam pushed him gently. “It’s yours too!”
Maya snorted. “Much and all as I like hearing you two talk about babies, this isn’t doing us any good. One of you, read the email before I combust!”
Sam shook her head again. “No, Finn—please do it. I can’t …” She doubled over, her head spinning. “What if they … what if they hate us?”
“They don’t hate us—you!” Maya said, patting her back gently. “How could they?”
“I don’t know,” Sam cried, looking up at her from her crouched position. “Maybe we’re too … I don’t know! But they could!”
“Listen here, missy,” Maya said with steel in her voice. “No one on this wide world could hate you—except maybe Harper, now she might really hate you—but no one else. Cross my heart and hope to die, I wouldn’t tell you a lie.”
“That’s not helping.” Sam whimpered. “Call yourself a friend, huh?” She rubbed her stomach to try to ease the smarting pain that jabbed her insides.
“Maybe you should stand up,” Maya said, stepping closer to her. “Everyone is looking at us.” She smiled broadly at a fan who stopped in her tracks and about-turned when she saw Maya’s crazy grin.
Sam stood up—too fast. Black spots danced in front of her eyes. She grabbed Finn’s arm to steady herself, catching his pale face as she did. “What? Did you open it?”
Finn nodded mutely. His hands were white from holding the phone so tight. Sam’s mouth went dry. They’d flunked it. Why else would he look so devastated? Pushing her shaking hands deep into her pockets she braced herself as his eyes reached hers.
He cleared his throat and looked down at the screen.
“Tell me what it says,” Sam said, hoarsely. “Please.”
“Give me your hand,” Finn said. Slowly, Sam withdrew one hand from her warm pocket and grasped his, gasping as he grabbed her tightly. He cleared his throat again, then began to read:
“Dear Maya, I hope you’re doing well! On behalf of everyone at Montalier, we’d like to extend our warmest congratulations to Sam on her incredible Olympic win!
Her performance was nothing short of spectacular.
Coming on the back of seeing her Instagram posts wearing vintage Montalier was an unexpected but thrilling moment for us.
She and Finn, as a couple, truly embody the timeless spirit and passionate evolution of our brand, and we couldn’t be more delighted. ”
Finn paused. Sam raised her eyes to his, butterflies swirling around her entire stomach just as the wind whipped up the falling snow around them. “Don’t stop!”
He smiled, and she gave a little jump.
He continued, the smile broadening on his face as her eyes widened.
“We’d love to discuss a sponsorship opportunity for both Sam and Finn, as we believe they represent the perfect blend of passion, talent, and innovation that Montalier stands for.
In addition, we’re keen to explore a collaboration with them on a special collection—one that not only celebrates Montalier’s heritage through vintage-inspired designs but also pushes forward our commitment to sustainability with a more eco-conscious approach to performance wear.
Let us know a convenient time to discuss further—we’re incredibly excited about the possibilities ahead! ”
Sam squealed! Her hand squeezed Finn’s tighter until she had to let go. Massaging her cramping hand she jumped into the air, howling with joy. “We did it! FINN! Argh!”
“A collab!” Maya took the phone back. “This is beyond brilliant. A collab with Montalier—Sam, Finn—you guys—promise me you’ll remember me when you’re famous.”
Sam threw her arms around Finn, kissing him soundly on the cheek and screeching in his ear. He patted her and pushed her away, gently. His face ashen and still.
“Finn?” Sam peered into his face. “Did you hear what you read?”
Finn nodded. Gradually the color came back to his cheeks as Sam rubbed his arms. Scared, but buzzing still, she led him to a bench near the edge of the pathway and made him sit down. Maya sat beside him as if propping him up.
“Finn?” Sam sat down and nudged his shoulder. “Talk to me, or I’ll have to go get a medic.”
He let out a short laugh. “Still breathing, don’t worry. Just … winded.”
“I hear you,” Sam said. “It’s a lot to take in.”
“Speaking of a lot,” Maya chimed in. She nodded behind Sam. “It’s Leo.”
“It’s okay, Maya,” Sam said quietly. “He’s all right.”
Sam stood up as Leo and Becky came into sight. He offered her his hand. She took it and he pulled her into his arms.
“Congratulations, sis.” His hug was warm, tight. He squeezed her once more before letting her go. “You deserve it, Sam. You really do. That was out of this world—that last trick …”
“They’re calling it the switch mirage.” Becky laughed happily. “Sam—you’re a legend. No one has ever pulled off what you did! Gabe and Seb broke it down on TV, in slow motion. Everyone is talking about you. How did you even come up with the idea?”
Sam sank down onto the bench, next to Finn. “I just did it,” she said. “I don’t know how. I think it had something to do with having more time in the air, pushing through on my front leg.”
Leo’s face reddened, his usually serious face beaming. “You think?”
“Yeah,” Sam said. “I sure do.” She leaned into Finn, loving how naturally he slipped his arm around her shoulders, at how his solid body offered her warmth, strength and love.
Shifting through the memory of the moment in her mind, Sam remembered how strong she’d felt when she’d followed her gut and twisted into that cork, and how she’d felt when she’d landed it cleanly.
Would she ever be able to do it again? Maybe if she took Leo’s advice … maybe if he coached her …
“A legend. Hell yeah—I can work with that. I can see it now … Sam—the myth … the legend … the mirage!” Maya’s chirpy voice made Sam smile before looking back to Becky.
“Maybe you and I can train together?” Becky asked, her voice more resolute, more mature than Sam had ever heard it. “Women together, in sport—lifting each other up. I’ll never forget today, Sam. It means the world to me.”
Sam smiled up at Becky, relishing how Leo did a double take. “I’d like that. Yeah, Becky, that would be great. But only if Leo is involved.”
Leo gasped but Sam saw the way he gripped Becky’s hand.
“Okay, that’s a date then,” Becky said. She turned to Leo, all business. “Speaking of dates, we’ve postponed the wedding for a few years. I think I want to try for the next winter Olympics. I won’t have time for wedding dresses or babies or whatever else the world has planned for me.”
Leo gaped. “Becks! We weren’t going to tell anyone.”
“Well, we can’t keep it a secret,” Becky said. “Honestly, babes, I’m not spending the next few months dodging questions and reading articles about why we haven’t set a date. There’s nothing wrong with a long engagement—you said so yourself.”
Leo looked chastened. His face reddened but he smiled and pulled her close to him. “I did, didn’t I? And you’re right, I know.”
“Even if it’s difficult to admit?” Becky chuckled, her eyes warm on Leo.
Leo rolled his eyes in a way that Sam knew so well.
“Oh, I think he knows,” she said. “Good call.” She laid her hand on Finn’s thigh, worried that he hadn’t said anything at all. “Are you heading down to Rustico? Yeah? Great, we’ll catch you up.”
She waited until Becky and Leo were out of earshot before turning to face Finn.
“Hey?” she said softly. “What’s going on? You haven’t said a thing since you read the email.”
“I don’t know what to say.” Finn took her face in his hands. He planted a soft kiss on her lips and drew back to look at her. Her heart contracted at the warmth and love in his eyes, at how gently, yet firmly, he held her.
“Look at you,” he said. “A legend already—not even in the making. Living in the moment, breaking the rules—and winning because of it. You’re an inspiration, Sam. I wouldn’t be anything without you.”
“Finn!” Sam started to speak, but he kissed her quickly.
“And I definitely won’t look as good in vintage—or Montalier—as you do.” He grinned. “But I’ll give it my best shot. I do, however, think that we have to bow down to this freaking legend beside us—” He looked up at Maya who had gotten up to capture a few shots of their sheer joy.
“Me?” Maya squeaked, peering out from behind the camera. Her satsuma coat glowed as the snowfall began to thicken.
Sam threw her head back, a throaty chuckle reaching for the sky. Finn was right—Maya was going to be an instrumental part of their future. She’d chosen her prom dress, and made her wear the ski suit, and made her do that photo shoot.
“I’m right, aren’t I?” Finn said.
Maya propped her chin up with her hand, looked upwards and pretended to think about it before she struck a pose.
“Damn right, you’re right. But whatever—because I am not liking this baby blizzard that’s happening—my hair will frizz up.
Come on. Move it, you two lovebirds. There’s a bistro with a bottle of champagne with my name on it and I intend to get very drunk indeed. ”
Finn made to move, but Sam pulled him back down. The pathway was empty now. It was the first time they’d had alone since the morning. The bistro was going to be packed. It would be fun and loud, but right now she longed to be alone with him, even if only for a few moments.
“We’ll follow you soon,” she called to Maya who was already trudging through the snow in the direction of the main street. Maya waved a hand in reply. Turning to Finn she said, quieter, “Can we just stay here—for a bit—before the craziness starts?”
Nodding, Finn sat back, his face serene, looking entirely like he’d carved first tracks in the most perfect pow.
Sam’s insides fluttered. There was a softness to his features now, the sharp angles of his face softened by the shy smile he gave her.
His hair fell over his forehead, tousled—just like it had been last night when he’d moved on top of her.
“You look happy,” she said.
“I am happy.”
Looking at him from under her eyelashes, Sam was struck by how relaxed he was, how contentment seemed to wrap around him.
He’d looked like that the first day she’d met him, the day she’d lost her heart to him.
She pulled him closer to her, until their breath mingled into one steamy cloud in the freezing night air. “I love you, Finn Bradley.”
“I love you, you legend, Sam Harrington.” His eyes twinkled. “Always have.”
“Right back at ya.” Sam scrunched her nose up. “But can we save the romance for later? I’m freezing my ass off here and I’m dying for a cocktail. Let’s go before they drink the place dry!”
“You said ass and cock in the same sentence.” Finn groaned. “And you expect me to go to the bistro?”
Sam leaned into him, her hands skimming his shoulders, her fingers soft at the nape of his neck, tangling in his hair. Her lips touched his, softly then she grinned as she felt his hands on her hips, pulling her against him.
“Nope!” She jumped up from the bench as he ran his hand down her hip and grabbed her ass. She swatted his hand away with a giggle. “Keep those thoughts for later. Come on! Race ya!”
Running through the snow, Sam looked back at Finn as he ran to catch up with her.
His smile was infectious, and she laughed out loud as he outpaced her.
Then he slowed down, coming back to take her cold hand in his warm one.
They kept pace with each other, jogging side by side down to the street.
This was the way it always should have been.
Just the two of them. Together they could take on the world.