Page 138 of Rinkmates

“She’s the best thing that happened to me. I need to go get my girl.”

“That PR coupe worked quite well, then.” He wiggles his eyebrows.

“It did. But you know what they say, sometimes you need to fake it until you make it.”

Forty-three

LIORA

My blades slice the ice, heart pounding as Aiden and I glide into our starting positions. We made it to the second round of the finals, but at the cost of saying goodbye to Priya. Tears streamed down our faces as we hugged her tight before she left to go sit with her parents and family in the audience.

The music begins and we launch into our routine. Pain shoots through my ankle on the landings, but I grit my teeth, determined to prove I deserve to be here. As I approach the triple axel, my pulse races.

One, two, three rotations and I land, not perfect but standing. A wave of thunderous applause rises from the audience, a chorus of cheers and clapping hands blending together. We strike our final pose and grin out at the sea of faces—and my heart stops. Riley is there in the front row, holding up a sign:i love liora james.

Our eyes lock as the cameras find Riley and I notice Ethan and Nina cheering next to him.

“Three perfect tens!” the judges boom.

Aiden and I hug, but as soon as we’re cued to leave the ice, I skate to the edge of the rink and Riley sweeps me up, twirling me around as his lips meet mine.

“You were amazing,” he whispers between kisses.

“I can’t believe you actually came,” I say, still stunned. “Did you win?”

“No,” he admits and my stomach drops. “But it’s okay. You’re my real trophy.”

My smile falters for a moment, but then I realize he’s messing with me. I give him a playful smack. “Don’t you dare lie about winning the Stanley Cup ever again!”

He laughs, spinning me around once more with a grin. “We fucking won, baby!”

I kick my feet in excitement. “I just can’t believe you came.” He’s just won the Stanley Cup, and yet he came straight tome.

I turn to Nina. “You were right. Deep down he really is sweet.” The sweetest actually.

“Well, you two, be prepared to celebrate big time tonight once Lia snags her trophy,” he says, winking at me.

The break flies by in a blur of nerves before they call us onstage for the audience vote. Clinging to Aiden’s hand, I stare up at the screen, hardly breathing. The countdown begins.

Ten.

Nine.

Eight.

I hold my breath.

Seven.

Six.

Five.

Four.

Three.

Two.

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