Chapter 17: The Last Weeks

Three weeks remained before competition.

Then two.

Then one.

Time moved faster than either of them wanted.

Every day followed the same pattern.

Train.

Recover.

Repeat.

The programs improved constantly.

The lifts became automatic.

The rhythm dance felt alive.

Even Irina seemed satisfied.

Which was rare.

"You finally look like a team," she admitted.

"That's basically a love letter coming from her," Nadia whispered.

"I heard that," Irina replied.

"Of course you did."

The closer competition came, the harder it became to ignore what was happening between them.

Neither mentioned it.

Neither needed to.

It existed in every glance.

Every smile.

Every moment of unspoken understanding.

One evening after training, they sat alone in the empty stands.

"Are you nervous?" Nadia asked.

"About the competition?"

"About anything."

Dominic considered the question.

"A little."

"That's surprisingly honest."

"Don't get used to it."

She smiled.

"I'm serious."

"I know."

"What are you nervous about?"

His eyes met hers.

"The part after."

Nadia's heartbeat stumbled.

"After the competition?"

"Yeah."

Neither elaborated.

Neither had to.

For the first time, the future felt uncertain.

And strangely exciting.