Whispers on the Ice Read Free Page B

would agree, the next offer suggestions as to an alternative. Jordan and Mindy watched in stunned silence, as Dee grew more animated and excited. Neither Jordan nor Mindy had ever seen Dee act this way. After what seemed an eternity, Dee ended the conversation, hung up the phone and with the biggest smile Jordan had ever seen, announced confidently, “Jordan Jamison, we’ve found you a new partner and a Gold Medal one at that!”
    “We who?” Jordan inquired cautiously.
    “A friend of mine who thinks—no actually has decided—that it’s in the best interest of his athlete to become ‘half of a pair’ and get this, and I quote, ‘get respectable and responsible!’” Dee explained, excitement taking over completely.“He saw the news report tonight and decided on the spot the two of you could very well be the next ‘G & G’ skating duo.”
    “As far as I’m aware, there are no male skaters looking for new partners. Who, on earth, is that good and available?” Mindy asked curiously, knowing of no one other than Chanelle’s ex-partner and not even Dee would partner Jordan with that flunkie.
    “You won’t believe me when I tell you!” Dee could barely contain her excitement, clapping her hands together then finally calming enough to gently hold Jordan’s pale face between her hands while she regained her composure.
    Jordan’s emotions shifted from hope to terror waiting for her coach and friend to tell her whom she was about to be paired with. “Aleksei Rocmanov,” Dee proudly announced.
    Jordan’s eyes grew wide and her mouth dropped open in astonishment. Mindy whooped in excitement and danced circles around Jordan exclaiming her approval.
    “He’s a monster!” Jordan whispered, her face completely colorless, her dark eyes wide in disbelief.
    “He’s gorgeous!” Mindy squealed in delight.
    “He’ll kill me,” Jordan worried out loud, her voice a soft whisper.
    Dee immediately sensed Jordan’s concerns about their differences in size and reassured her all would be well and that they would have the opportunity to meet each other in two days.
    “He won’t do it,” Jordan predicted, shaking her head, remembering their unfriendly run-in in Canada.
    “Yes he will.” Dee confirmed, nodding her head to emphasize her statement. “Whittaker’s promised he’ll be there.”
    “He’s a single,” Jordan protested, looking for any way out of this seemingly crazy suggestion.
    “Not any longer,” Marina replied.
    “According to whom?” Jordan questioned hotly.
    “His coach—and I’d say that’s a pretty accurate source.”
    “Doesn’t Aleksei have the right to decide if he’s a single or not?”
    “Not according to Frank Whittaker.”
    “I was under the impression you still had a right to choose what you wanted to be in the U.S., something about amendments, and freedom of choice,” Jordan grumbled sarcastically, trying to control the growing urge to run as fast and as far away as possible. “Obviously, while I wasn’t looking, democracy went out the window.”
    “Don’t be such a snot, Jordan. You have the freedom to say ‘no’. I’ll be the first to say I think it’s a mistake if you don’t skate well together. I’ve never made you do anything that could hurt you—I won’t start now. All Whittaker and I did was set up a meeting so the two of you could meet and we could see how you fit each other.”
    “Rather like trying on new boots,” Jordan mumbled. “Besides, we already met—in Canada. Remember?”
    “Let’s try it without bloodshed this time, okay?” Dee suggested, smiling as Jordan blushed in remembered embarrassment over the incident in Canada.
    “I’ll do it—but only because of all you’ve done for me,” Jordan conceded.
    “Damn—for the chance to get my hands on Aleksei Rocmanov, I’d even take my dusty old skates out of retirement and take a few turns around the ice.” Mindy exclaimed, pretending to skate as wobbly as she could across the thick