Page 44 of Oliver

She sat in stunned silence for a beat. Then she exhaled—long, hard, like she’d been holding her breath for months and finally could let go.

“Also...” he grinned, reaching into his pocket and tossing a folded sheet of paper onto the table.

She picked it up.

It was an email from her agent.

SUBJECT: Contract Termination Approved.

Her hand flew to her mouth. “You mean—?”

“You’re free,” he said. “That trainer’s out. The committee agreed to a graceful exit. No backlash. No penalties. You’re done.”

She laughed. And then she cried. Just a few tears—but they were full of relief, freedom, and something else she hadn’t felt in a long time:possibility.

Olly leaned across the table and poked her arm. “So... does that mean you can stay with us forever now?”

She sniffed, wiped her eyes, and smiled. “Yeah, kiddo. It means I can stay until you two get tired of having me around.”

He grinned. “Awesome. You can help me train my lizard to skateboard.”

Oliver gave her a look. “You agreed. No take-backs. We will never get tired of having you around. Emery Blake, will you do me the honor of marrying me?”

“Yes!” Olly shouted.

Emery cried, then she finally said yes, and Olly beat me to her. He was in her lap hugging her. “My turn, buddy. I lifted him down and picked Emery up and kissed her as if I could never get enough of her.

“You have made me so happy. I love both of you so much.”

We love you too,” Olly said, before I could.

I whispered into her neck how much I loved her. “We will be so happy together,” I said, kissing her again.

She glanced out the window, sunlight streaking through the trees, and something clicked.

Swimwear. Activewear. Not for models or Olympic dreams—but forreal women.

She nudged Oliver’s arm. “Hey. What do you think about this... A boutique. Sporty, sleek. Outdoor clothes made by someone who truly understands the outdoors. Comfortable and strong.”

He smiled “Are we finished hugging and kissing?”

She laughed. “We’ll finish that later. This will be perfect. I won’t have to have anyone else stay with Olly. He can be with me when you have to go away to work.

“I think it sounds like your next gold medal. Thank you,, for loving Olly, and thinking about him when you plan your life with us.”

“I love Olly as if he were mine.”

25

Emery

My dining room had turned into a war zone of fabric swatches, sketches, samples, and about five different shades of olive green, light pinks, baby blues, and so many other colors, all in spandex.

Olly sat on the floor, completely tangled in measuring tape.

“Mom—uh,Emery—do youhaveto call these pants ‘tactical joggers’? That sounds like they’re gonna start fighting people.”

I laughed. “They're for hiking, climbing, camping—tactical makes them sound cool.”

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