Then he drove us to his house.
An hour after leaving Tahoe West HQ, the sun had dipped low, the sky glowing orange on the horizon. I wanted to take another bike ride straight into that beauty.
Sean parked in his driveway.
We got out of the car and Sean grabbed my luggage from the trunk.
“I expected Cassy to come out,” I said.
“Ha, yes. She’s having dinner at the neighbor’s house today.”
The house smelled delicious food when we entered, but no sign of Abby. I wanted to ask but Sean went down the hall with my luggage. I peeked into the kitchen, mostly clean, then into the dining room, where the table was set for two.
My mouth watered, I was hungry.
In the background, I heard the toilet flushed, water running. I was getting ready to open the cover, curious to see what smelled so good, when Sean’s footsteps approached.
“Hungry?” he asked.
“That obvious?”
He smiled and offered me his hand. I took it. He walked me out through the back door. My eyes landed on the gazebo—it glowed with a yellow light from wired garlands. My heart kicked into overdrive, I became breathless, my stomach flipped in anticipation of what was coming.
When we reached the gazebo, soft music played overhead, which my heart beating in my ears had drowned out until now. Yellow and white flower petals were scattered across the floor,and the air was thick with the scent of roses. Small delicate bouquets of white and yellow roses alternated along the railing. My eyes prickled at the corners. This was so unexpected, so sweet, so gorgeous… everything.
Sean went down on his knee.
“Cutie,” he began, “I-I didn’t plan on falling for you. You weren’t on the calendar. I planned plays, led a team to the Cup, maybe upgraded my coffee habits.”
A small shaky laugh escaped me, tears already welled.
“But then you walked into that arena, sure, funny, and brilliant; everything changed. You push me, you trust me, you make me want more than a win. You’re the real playmaker this season.”
He took my hand.
“You saw the mess behind the suit—the baggage, the headlines—and you stayed. Every time I look at you, I remember what grace looks like.”
Then he fumbled with his pocket and pulled out the ring.
I was melting.
“So tonight, away from our very public lives, I wanted this moment to be only about us… will you skate through life with me? Will you marry me?”
My hand clutched my chest, lips trembling, trying to say “yes” a thousand times at once.
“Yes,” I whispered. Then louder, laughing through the tears, “Yes. Of course, yes.”
Sean let out a breath and slid the ring onto my finger with a reverence that made my chest ache. It fit perfectly.
He stood, cupped my face in both hands, and kissed me. A deep seal that didn’t ask a question but answered one.
When we finally broke apart, I saw movement at the back door. Cassy stepped out first, clapping like she’d just wona championship. Abby followed, misty-eyed, and Jeff trailed behind with a grin.
I laughed some more through my tears. Even in our quiet corner of the world, we had an audience.
They swarmed us with hugs, cheek kisses, and laughter. I wiped my tear-streaked face with the napkin Abby handed me.
“Welcome to the family, Mel!” Abby hugged me again.
