Page 63 of Sealing the Deal

“It’ll be tough,” Mama agrees. “Especially if the boys get in their own heads about who they’re facing.”

“Nobody but the fans think we can win it,” I say quietly.

Mama studies me for a moment. “We’ve had a good run,” she says. “I hope it’s enough to keep the sponsors if we’re knocked out come Sunday.”

Nerves spark, thinking of that truce again. But I meant what I said on the podcast. Grayson will do whatever it takes to help the Stormhawks.

“Well,” Mama says, catching my smile and shooting me a knowing a look, “being away from the bar clearly suits you.”

Before I have a chance to reply, Izzy and Harper stride through the back door, cheeks pink from the cold. Izzy has an empty casserole dish in her hands, belly bigger than ever. Harper is wrapped in a thick winter coat, brown hair tumbling out of a cream woolly hat.

“I think it’s a certain billionaire that suits her,” Izzy says brightly, placing the dish onto the counter and giving Mama a kiss on the cheek.

“It’s nothing,” I protest, biting back my smile at the mention of Grayson.

Mama arches a brow. “I can’t say I’ve ever seen you blush like that over ‘nothing,’ Flic.”

All three women laugh as Izzy crosses the room, pulling me into a careful hug. “You’re looking big.” I grin as I step back to look at her.

Izzy rubs her belly. “Five weeks to go. I can’t wait. I can’t see my feet and can barely put my own socks on.”

I move to Harper and we hug, too.

“And you’re looking… glowy,” Harper says.

“Don’t you start,” I reply, rolling my eyes. “It’s good to see you,” I add. “I thought you’d be working today.”

“I’ve taken a few weeks off from the magazine,” Harper says, making a face. “I’m supposed to be shut up in my house, working on my next book. The deadline is looming. But Mia is here and we’re going to watch her ride Fury. We came to see if you wanted to come.”

“Mia’s riding Fury?” I ask, thinking of the first horse Dylan bought at auction. Fury was well on his way to becoming a barrel racing champion before a roadside accident left him too spooked to compete or even take a rider. Dylan saved him from being destroyed and has spent over a year patiently rebuilding his trust. Some days, Fury looks like the horse he was meant to be. Other days, the fear still lingers just under the surface.

Izzy nods. “He’s only ever let me ride him, but seeing as I’m a little busy with this right now,” she says, patting her stomach, “and Mia has always had a special connection to Fury, Dylan asked if she wanted to try riding him. We want to make sure his confidence with taking the saddle is still going in the right direction.”

Mama’s phone rings on the counter. She glances at the screen and sighs. “That’s my one o’clock meeting. You girls go ahead,” she adds, already answering.

She moves to her desk and taps her laptop, stepping effortlessly into the role of unstoppable sports agent. I pull on my coat and step outside with Harper and Izzy; the cold air hits in a way that makes my lungs ache and my face sting. Snow crunches beneath our boots as we skirt the edge of the frozen lake, its surface smooth and glassy, reflecting the pale winter sky. The spruce trees crowd in as we follow the narrow path toward the paddocks.

“So… Grayson?” Izzy says, puffing white.

“We slept together in New York,” I reply, before I can overthink it.

“Obviously,” Harper says.

I shoot her a questioning look.

Harper glances at Izzy, before replying. “You look happy, Flic. Lighter.”

“And before you say anything, it’s a good thing,” Izzy adds. “You never let people into your world for long enough to get past your defenses. Makes it hard to get close and…”

“It was a onetime thing,” I add quickly before Izzy can go into any more detail. “We both agreed.”

Izzy stops and she and Harper turn to face me, looking at me like they don’t believe it for a second.

“What?” I ask.

“Was it…” Izzy grins, “…good?”

My smile widens and heat burns my cheeks despite the cold. “‘Good’ doesn’t even come close,” I reply quietly. “It was the hottest sex I’ve ever had.”