"No, I’m sorry. I was wrong," Mac said, his voice breaking. "I doubted you. I walked away when I should have fought. I'm so sorry, Rachel."
"Mac—"
"No, let me finish." He cupped her face, thumbs brushing away her tears. "I hurt you too. And I've been hating myself for it every single day. If we do this. I need you to promise me something."
"Anything."
"Promise me you'll trust me. Really trust me. Not say you do while constantly doubting." Mac's hands trembled against her face. "And I promise I'll do the same. I'll trust you. Even when it's hard. Even when someone tries to make me doubt."
"I promise," Rachel said, tears streaming. "Mac, I promise. I'll do whatever it takes."
“So do I.”
Mac stared at her for a long moment.
The crowd was getting restless, murmuring, waiting.
"Mac?" Rachel whispered. “They’re staring at us.”
Mac took the sunflowers from her hands and set them on the ice.
Then he pulled her into his arms and kissed her.
The arena ERUPTED.
Cheering, screaming, whistling, applause so loud it shook the building.
Mac kissed Rachel like she was air and he'd been drowning. Like she was home and he'd been lost. Like she was everything and he'd almost let her slip away.
When they finally broke apart, both crying, both laughing, Mac pressed his forehead to hers.
"I love you," Mac said. "I never stopped. Not for a second."
"I love you too. I'm so sorry I made you doubt that."
"I'm sorry I doubted you." Mac laughed, the sound shaky with emotion. "You know, I had this whole thing planned. For after the game."
"What?" Rachel pulled back slightly to look at him.
"At the library. Sophie was going to keep you away. Jamie was setting up string lights in your reading nook. I had sunflowers being delivered—" He gestured at the flowers now sitting on the ice. "Same ones, actually. I was going to show up with this whole speech rehearsed about how sorry I was and how I was fighting for us and—"
"Really?" Rachel laughed through her tears, the sound bright and surprised and so beautiful Mac's chest ached. "You had a whole grand gesture planned?"
"I've been rehearsing for days. Had it all timed perfectly. Seventeen drafts of my apology speech." Mac shook his head, grinning. "And then you go and beat me to it. On the ice. In front of everyone. Completely upstaging my entire plan."
"I'm sorry I ruined your grand gesture."
"Are you kidding? This is so much better." Mac kissed her again, quick and sweet. "You're so much braver than me. I was going to do it in private, in a quiet library. You did it in front of hundreds of people."
"I was terrified."
"You were perfect."
Rachel kissed him again.
The ref skated over, looking amused and impatient. "This is very sweet, but we have a game to finish. MacKenzie, you ready to play?"
Mac looked at Rachel. "Are you staying? To watch?"
