Total pages in book: 112
Estimated words: 105697 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 528(@200wpm)___ 423(@250wpm)___ 352(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 105697 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 528(@200wpm)___ 423(@250wpm)___ 352(@300wpm)
“Daniel?” I prompt again.
He takes a breath as his eyes open. This time, they’re steady. Like he knows exactly why he just raced down the sidewalk to find me in a rainstorm. “I needed to tell you that I love you.”
Cupping his cheek, I kiss the other. “I know. I love you, too.”
The statement sounds more like a question than anything because, while it’s true—I love him with my whole heart—I don’t think that’s what he really wanted to say.
My mouth goes dry as I consider all the ways this could go. “You can tell me anything, you know.”
A big raindrop lands on the tip of his nose. It doesn’t faze him.
“I was planning to do it this weekend, but you’re here now. And I read your letter, and yeah, I want that with you, too. The home, a place for Roman, and . . .” He stares into my eyes, and a smile slips out. “And kids. With you. I want it all with you, Sunshine.”
Oh, my gosh. Chills break out across my skin as his words sink into my brain.
Slowly, he releases me. Then he drops to one knee in the middle of Brooklyn.
I gasp, my right hand covering my gaping mouth as he stares up at me like I’m the only girl in the world.
“I got this for you,” he says, smiling softly.
My heart is too big to fit in my chest, the beats so loud they drown out the rain that’s falling harder.
A black velvet box is tucked safely in his hands. “My apartment hasn’t felt the same since you left. You gave it soul with your sweet smile and brought it to life with your laughter. You brought it—brought me to life, Summer. You are my home. My heart. My love. My everything.” He chuckles. “Those were some good lines.”
I laugh as tears flow down my cheeks.
“But it’s how I feel,” he says earnestly. “I don’t want this life without you in it. My career, the penthouse, the contracts. Nothing makes me whole the way you do.”
Carefully, he takes a ring out of the box, then drops the box into his jersey.
My hand falls to my heart as I watch him hold the physical representation of the biggest promise a man can make between his fingers. A platinum band and a gorgeous diamond? It’s too much. He’s too much.
He’s … mine.
“Daniel …” I say, my voice cracking from emotion. “I would’ve said yes with a Ring Pop.”
He grins. “I’d already fallen in love with you. But seeing you with my son and watching how quickly you cared for him like he was your own, and how you two bonded, I knew you were the perfect partner for me. You’ll also be an amazing mother to our children like you are with Roman. Summer Season—”
“Yes?” I reply too fast for him to finish.
He chuckles. “Will you marry me?”
I crash my mouth into his, and my arms hook around him as we come together. Our tongues touch and caress, slowing the frenzy as his hands hold me to him. We’re left breathless and still grinning when we part again.
Sitting on his knee, I say, “Yes, Daniel. I’d love to marry you more than anything.”
I look down to watch him slide the ring on my finger when we hear, “Hey man, sorry to interrupt. Are you The Maverick of Hockey?” When Daniel looks up, the guy says, “Shit, it is you. Can I get a picture—”
Daniel’s eyes narrow at the intruder, losing his smile. “I’m kind of busy. I’ll give you a photo if you can give me a minute here.”
“Sure. Sure. I’ll just wait over—”
“Yeah, you do that,” Daniel says. When his eyes return to mine, he kisses me gently. “Sorry.”
“It doesn’t matter. We’re engaged, babe.” Nothing could ruin this for me . . . Lightning cracks, startling me as the sky opens with torrential rain. Except for that.
“What color is your sister’s car?”
“Blue. Why?” And the car getting towed . . .
Daniel lifts me to my feet and runs with the speed of, well, a professional athlete, catching up to the truck that’s backing up to Fall’s car.
I slip between two other parked cars to catch up to Daniel, who’s already talking to the driver by the time I reach them. I stop with my hands on my hips, huffing to catch my breath.
“This her?” the guy asks, eyeing me. I’m sure I’m quite the sight, soaking wet with my makeup running down my face.
“It is. This is my fiancée.” I didn’t expect to be called that so quickly after it happened. But, man, do I like it.
He tries to be a hard-ass, but eventually breaks. I get a smidge of a smile. “Congrats. Lucky woman.”
“I am.”
Daniel says, “Trust me, man. I’m the lucky one.” He glances at the car before looking at the driver again. “Think you can release the car? There might be box seats in it for you.”