Before I can even process what I just did, movement catches my eye.
The crowd parts like something straight out of a cheesy rom-com, and suddenly, the Ridgewater Warriors' mascot—a massive green gator in a hockey helmet and oversized skates—comes waddling down the aisle.
And in its stubby arms?
A bouquet. Amassiveone.
Soft blush roses, creamy white tulips, pink carnations, and tiny daisy-like blooms, all wrapped in brown craft paper and tiedwith a pale pink ribbon. The flowers look fresh and dewy, like they were just picked from a dream garden.
The gator stops right in front of us, does an exaggerated bow, and hands the bouquet to Zach.
Zach laughs, clapping the mascot on the back. "Thanks, buddy," he says into the mic, still catching his breath from all the chaos. Then he turns to me, eyes bright and so full of affection it knocks the air right out of me.
"I love you, Caroline Pennington," he says, his voice steady but soft enough to make the entire arena melt.
He pauses—smiling that crooked, heart-wrecking smile. "Forever and always."
My heart skips. No—itdetonates.
Pretty sure it's no longer functioning properly. Someone might need to call medical.
He holds the bouquet out to me, and I take it with trembling hands. The scent hits instantly—sweet, floral, and a little citrusy, like sunshine in petal form.
God, even the flowers smell romantic. Typical Zach.
"Thank you," I manage, my voice embarrassingly small.
He grins wider, eyes softening. For a heartbeat, it feels like the world's shrunk to just us again.
But then—the arena horn blares, snapping the moment in two.
Time's up. Intermission over.
Zach glances toward the rink, then back at me, that boyish smirk returning as he starts backing away. "Keep cheering for me, Sugarplum," he calls out, his voice echoing through the mic.
"And wait for me after the game, okay?"
I nod, completely useless at forming words.
He winks—because of course he does—before turning and jogging toward the tunnel to rejoin his team.
The crowd erupts again, still chanting his name.
And I just stand there, flowers in hand, heart somewhere between my throat and the rafters—grinning like a complete idiot.
CHAPTER thirty-three
CAROLINE
After checking on Mom and saying good night to her and Dad, I finally decide to treat myself to a much-needed warm bath. I toss in a few rose-scented bath salts—probably too many, but who's counting?—and watch as the water clouds into a soft pink swirl that smells like an entire garden exploded in it.
The moment I sink in, a sigh rips out of me. My muscles ache in places I didn't even know existed. Who knew cheering can feel like a full-body workout?
My throat's sore from screaming, my calves are staging a rebellion from all the jumping, and I'm pretty sure my shoulders got more action than Zach's stick tonight.
Still, it was all so worth it. The Ridgewater Warriors took home a 4–2 win, and the energy inside that arena could've powered the entire campus grid.
Plus, there was the two-hour drive back to Naples right after the game.
