Her eyes drifted to Ryan. He was staring right at her. She smiled, and his mouth quirked.
It was so strange. Every few minutes, her mind tried to throw up its usual warnings and doubts, but Ryan kept proving them unnecessary.
A foreign calm swept through her, and Aelin gripped the edge of her seat.Was this what love was supposed to feel like?Not cold and empty. Not afraid and wary. But calm? Steady? Her stomach fluttered as Ryan straightened his suit jacket and clasped his hands in front of him.
Amaya was riveted as Country and Jenna said their vows, and as the ceremony drew to a close, everyone erupted into cheers. The bride and groom walked hand in hand back down the aisle, and when it was finally appropriate to stand, Aelin made a beeline for Ryan.
"Well, that was beautiful.” Aelin grinned, then nodded toward Country and Jenna mooning over each other and greeting guests. "Those two are disgustingly adorable."
Ryan smiled. “They waited a long time for this.” He turned to her, his hand brushing her hip. “I think waiting makes it more obvious when it’s right.”
Aelin’s cheeks flushed.
Ryan leaned in. "You look lovely, by the way. That dress is stunning on you."
“You already saw me in it this morning.”
His lips brushed her cheek. “Barely.”
Aelin’s mouth went dry. “Amaya asked if I was your girlfriend.”
“What did you say?”
She laughed. “That she should ask you.”
Ryan pulled back and glanced over her shoulder. Aelin turned to see Amaya running across the grass. When she turned back, Ryan was watching her.
“What do you want me to tell her?” he asked.
Aelin wet her lips, considering. She considered what she should say, what would make sense. Then told the truth instead. “That I hope I see her every day after school this year.”
Ryan’s eyes deepened. “Good answer.” Aelin moved her hand forward until she linked her pointer finger with his. Ryan’s lips curved into a slow smile. "So I was thinking. . .” He rocked back on his heels boyishly. "Would you want to be my date to the reception tonight?"
Aelin arched an eyebrow, fighting a grin. "Hmm." She tapped her chin in mock contemplation. "Will I get to see you in pink?"
Ryan groaned. "It’s going to be ridiculous. You know that right?"
She nodded, her grin widening as she leaned in. “Just remember, I’ll be waiting to take it off.” Aelin pulled him toward the buffet tables on the patio and spotted Amaya already filling a plate with sponge cake and chocolate dipped strawberries.
“She’s sleeping over at her grandparents’ tonight,” Ryan said.
“Hmm.” Aelin smirked. “Fun Aelin loves sleepovers.”
Ryan’s hand slid over the backside of her dress. “Fun Ryan will make popcorn.”
Epilogue
Aelin cheeredas the Snowballs took the ice, her eyes searching for a familiar face among the players. There he was. Number eighteen, Ryan Vargo, his hair peeking out from under his helmet as he did a few warm-up laps.
"Go Ryan!" Amaya shouted beside her, nearly bouncing out of her seat with excitement. On Aelin's other side, Bailey clapped and smiled shyly.
The atmosphere in the packed arena was electric as the Snowballs faced off against their rivals. Aelin glanced down the row where Jenna, Rhonda, Melissa, Emma, and Penny sat decked out in Snowballs jerseys. Russ and Laura sat next to Amaya, a blanket spread over their laps.
The referee's whistle pierced the air and the crowd roared as the puck dropped. Aelin leaned forward, absorbed in the action on the ice. Ryan skated with powerful strides, maneuvering around defenders. She didn’t know anything other than that they wanted blue to get the puck in the opposite net, so she kept quiet as the other women commentated next to her.
"Did you see that hit? Our boys aren't messing around tonight!" Rhonda laughed as a Snowballs player checked an opponent into the boards.
"Jordan is playing dirty though," Jenna noted with a frown.
