So I let my lips curve up into a slight smile and gave a tiny nod. Leo grinned at me and turned so that his arm rested on my shoulders, snugging my body into his side. His fingers rubbed absently on the bare skin of my upper arm, making me shiver.
“Perfect.” The photographer raised his camera and snapped a few pictures. I smiled, resting my head on Leo’s chest, perfectly content to let him set the tone and trusting him to keep me safe.
“So who’s this pretty lady, Leo?” The man with the recorder looked at the two of us expectantly. “And please spell her name, so we can make sure we caption the photograph the right way.”
Leo glanced down at me, and if it was possible, his smile grew brighter, igniting a fire in my chest that I wasn’t sure I could contain.
“This is Quinn Russell.” He spelled it slowly. “She’s my best friend, and I’ve known her since she was born.” His arm slid down around my back, his hand curling over my ribs. “She’s also the only woman I’ve ever loved—uh, outside my mom, that is. Love you, Mom!”
The people around us laughed, and I realized how many of them—both press and players—were paying attention to what Leo was saying.
“Quinn’s the best person I’ve ever met. She’s smart, she’s funny and she defends her friends to the death. She makes me the man I want to be. I’m the happiest guy in this stadium today, because she’s here and because she’s moving to Richmond.”
There was a smattering of applause, with Ellie and Corey leading the clapping.
“About time, too!” Corey bellowed, and Leo laughed.
“And I’m hoping that before too long, she’ll be spelling her last name T-A-Y-L-O-R.”
My breath caught. We’d talked about the future, but this was a very public announcement. There was no going back ... and I knew I didn’t want to change it. Not one bit.
A couple of his teammates approached to clap Leo on the back. The journalist leaned forward to thank us before he moved away to seek out other stories.
Ellie paused as she passed by to give me a quick hug, murmuring in my ear. “You rocked that. I’ll see you soon, sweetie. Enjoy your night.”
Leo caught the tail end of her words. “Don’t worry. We will.”
I’d spent the night before the game at a hotel in Richmond, feeling a little like a bride hiding from her groom until the big day. But I’d checked out before the game, and my bag was in the trunk of my car. Leo had taken a car service to the stadium, so he was riding back to his townhouse with me. A thrill of belonging and connection ran down my spine when he held my hand as we walked to the special lot where I’d parked.
“Want to drive?” I dangled the keys from one finger. “I mean, I don’t mind doing it, if you’re tired, but you know where you’re going and I don’t.”
Leo snatched the keys from me and tossed them back and forth between his two hands. “Decisions, decisions. Do I let you drive, so I can sit back and ogle you, or do I drive so we get home faster?”
I grinned. “I’m in favor of faster, myself.”
“Faster it is.” He stopped at the passenger door to open it for me, then tossed his duffel into the back seat and swung around the car to his own side. I giggled when he climbed in and had to sit with his knees almost up to his ears before he moved the seat back. As he started the ignition and turned to look behind us, with his hand on the headrest of my seat, I sighed.
“What’s that about?” He glanced my way and shifted the car into drive.
“Nothing. Just enjoying the view. You know, because I get to ogle you. This really is a win-win situation.”
“Baby, this view is all yours. Forever.” He shot me the smolder, and distractedly, I wondered how long it was going to take to get from the stadium to his townhouse.
“That was quite a statement you made back there. Outside the locker room.” I arched one eyebrow.
Leo slid me a glance that was part-apologetic, part-unrepentant. “I guess I should have run that by you first, but ... I meant it. Every single word.”
How on earth could any woman in her right mind be upset about that sentiment? “Did you? It sounded very permanent and very real.”
“It was.” He exhaled, tightening his hands on the wheel. “I know it probably surprised you. But the way I see it, you and I both know, maybe more than most people, that life is short and unpredictable. I want you in my life, now and forever. I don’t want to be apart from you again. So why fuck around, right? Why shouldn’t forever start right now?”
“Who can argue with logic like that?” I murmured. Leo grinned and reached over to squeeze my knee.
“I know, right? I think I missed the boat, not joining the debate team in college.”
“Maybe.” I stared out the window at the passing scenery, taking in Richmond by daylight for the first time. I decided that the city looked better on a late afternoon in September than it did after dark in early February.
“You got quiet. Thinking deep thoughts?” Leo slowed at a red light. He’d left his hand on my knee as he drove, and now he slid it just a tad higher on my thigh.
