Page 96 of Famous for a Living

They race up and jump.

Me after.

The ring dangles, and I swoop my arm through.

A strong swoop.

It hooks up to my shoulder immediately.

“Unbelievable! And we have a winner!” Megaphone Man cries as we land.

The crowd goes absolutely wild.

“Give it up for a tremendous ride from Zaiah Smith, senior park ranger, and”—he tilts to the side as Uncle Terry mutters something—“Catherine Cranwell, senior media strategist and social coordinator extraordinaire!”

Mina has her arms wrapped around Kevin, dragging him up and down by the neck as she jumps.

I gulp air as my skis slow to a stop.

I drop the rope and for a moment feel dangerously close to throwing up.

After snapping off my skis, I sit on the ground, panting.

A moment later I’m all but knocked sideways by Mina, followed by an eruption of pats on the back and congratulations.

The attention feels overwhelming, and I look up, dazed by both what I just accomplished and the number of new people in my face. Something about it is different from the many, many times strangers have gotten in my face. Something about it feels . . . startling.

New.

I look into their eyes, and I realize what it is.

They don’t want something from me.

They’re not hovering over me, trying to get a picture to show off for social clout or trying to make friends hoping I’ll help them climb the influencer ladder. They aren’t congratulating me in order to get me to post about their shoe business or Jeep business or hotel. They just are . . . happy for me.

Just because.

“All right, everyone. Make way. I’d like to congratulate my partner now.”

People part as Zaiah makes his way through the crowd.

He stops over me, cowboy hat tipped down as he looks into my eyes.

One heck of a smile on his face.

A smile of pride.

A smile of pure joy.

I begin to lift myself up on my elbows, but they ache so much I smile and leave them limp at my sides. I shake my head. “Sorry. Your partner will just have to lie in the snow until she freezes. I’ve given everything for the park, including my arms.”

“That’s too bad.”

I nod.

And without a second’s hesitation he drops down. Reaching one arm under my knees, he wraps his other around my back until his hand grips my shoulder.

Lifts.