Page 17 of Waltzing on Ice

My heart pounds, my grip on her tightening. “Yeah, baby. Together.”

Nothing is holding us back anymore. No fear. No pretending. Justus.

Chapter Fourteen

Daisy

Six months later, we’re sitting in a press conference at the Olympic Games, cameras flashing, microphones in our faces, the entire world watching.

And I have never felt more certain about anything in my life.

Finn sits beside me, looking infuriatingly good in his Team USA jacket, his hair still damp from morning practice. His hand rests casually on my thigh beneath the table, a silent reassurance, a constant tether. I lace my fingers with his, squeezing once.

The questions start predictably—our training, our expectations, the competition. We answer smoothly, practiced, and professional.

And then, of course, it happens. A journalist leans forward, her smile all too knowing. “Daisy, Finn—this question is for both of you. The world has fallen in love with you and your love story. Fans are dying to know, are wedding bells in your future?”

A murmur of anticipation ripples through the room. I feel Finn still beside me.

I open my mouth, ready to deflect like we always do. Ready to laugh it off, to say, we’re just focused on the competition right now.

Before I can, Finn lets out a breath, then turns to me and stands up.

The entire room holds its breath. My heart stutters as Finn reaches into his jacket pocket and pulls out a small, black velvet box.

Oh.Oh.

The cameras go wild. Reporters scramble forward. My stomach flips as Finn—my cocky, foul-mouthed, impossible man—drops to one knee in front of the entire world.

“Daisy Whittaker,” he says, his voice steady, clear, full of conviction. “From the moment I met you, you’ve challenged me, pushed me, made me want more. You are the best damn thing that’s ever happened to me, and I’d be an idiot to let another second pass without telling you exactly how sure I am about us.”

My breath hitches, my fingers trembling as he flips open the ring box to reveal the most breathtaking diamond I’ve ever seen.

“Marry me, Daisy.” His lips twitch, that signature Finn smirk making my heart do ridiculous things. “Be my forever.”

Tears prick my eyes. The entire world is watching. Cameras are flashing. Reporters are gasping. And I don’t care. Because all I see is Finn.

I let out a shaky laugh, then launch myself at him, knocking him backward as I kiss him senseless.

“Yes,” I whisper against his lips. “A thousand times, yes.”

The room erupts. The cheers are deafening, but all I can hear is Finn’s laughter, his arms tightening around me as he murmurs against my skin, “You’re stuck with me now, baby.”

I smile, pressing my forehead to his. “Good. Because I’m not letting go.”

As the cameras capture this moment—the happiest moment of my life—I know with absolute certainty: we’ve already won.

Chapter Fifteen

Finn

We’re in second place going into our final skate at the Olympics. The pressure is on, the weight of expectations heavy, but standing center ice with Daisy, I don’t feel it. Not like before.

She’s stretching beside me, rolling out her shoulders, shaking out her limbs, getting in the zone. I watch her, admiring the way she transforms before competition—sharp, focused, lethal in a way that always makes my blood heat. She’s mesmerizing.

I reach for her hand, pulling her close. “Hey.”

She blinks up at me, breaking from her trance. “Yeah?”

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