Rachel got out of the car, her legs shaking, and followed Sophie toward the rink.
Mrs. Henderson was waiting inside the entrance, holding an enormous bouquet of sunflowers.
"Oh good, you're here," Mrs. Henderson said. "I was beginning to worry you'd chickened out."
"I almost did."
"But you didn't." Mrs. Henderson handed her the flowers; sunflowers, Mac's favorite, dozens of them, ridiculously oversized just like Mac had brought her at the library. "Now remember: you wait until the intermission announcement."
Rachel clutched the flowers like a lifeline. "What if he says no?"
"Then he says no. But Rachel—" Mrs. Henderson squeezed her shoulder. "That boy is head over heels in love with you. He's not going to say no."
The buzzer sounded, ending the first period.
"That's your cue," Sophie said. "Come on. Let's go change your life."
Mac
The team filed into the locker room, sweaty and energized.
"Great period!" Cole said. "Mac, keep doing what you're doing. Jamie, tighten up on defense. Luke, stop trying to be fancy and shoot the damn puck."
"But fancy is fun!" Luke protested.
"Fancy gets you benched," Coach Davies added.
Mac sat on the bench, drinking water, trying to catch his breath.
"You're playing like a man possessed," Jamie observed, sitting beside Mac. "It's impressive but also slightly concerning."
"I'm fine."
"You're not fine."
"Does it matter?"
The team filed back out for the second period.
The crowd was on their feet, chanting, cheering. The energy was electric.
Mac scanned the crowd again, habit more than hope. Still no Rachel.
Of course not. She was probably home, doing exactly whatshe'd be doing if he'd never existed: reading, working, living her life without him. The ref's whistle blew to start the second period.
Then the arena announcer's voice boomed over the speakers:
"Ladies and gentlemen, we have a special presentation before the second period begins. Please welcome to center ice... Rachel Morrison."
Mac froze.
What?
The crowd murmured with confusion and interest.
And then, impossibly, Rachel walked onto the ice.
Rachel
