His smile grows, zero surprise in his expression, and it feels good to meet him halfway like this.
“Look at him,” I add, gesturing to Tate. “Who wouldn’t be?”
A few chuckles.
He leans forward to his own mic. “For the record, I’m also in love with Jordan Hathaway.”
“Glad we cleared that up.” I smile at him before looking to the rest of the organization. “Anyone else want to make a big announcement?”
Everyone laughs, and I smile.
“See you tonight after the game,” I tell the press and stand as they all start asking questions at once.
As everyone leaves the room, Tate finds me, looking at me with a pride in his eyes that fills my whole heart with purpose and belonging.
“Hi.”
“Hi,” he says, smiling down at me.
“So.”
He smiles more, like I’m adorable. Like he loves me. “So.”
“We own a hockey team together.”
“Mhm.” His eyes are so brilliantly bright, so full of affection and warmth and amusement. “You know I would have been happy for you to keep the team.”
“I know.” And I do. “But I like it better this way. Partners.”
He looks at me like I’m everything. “Just like I hoped.”
He searches my eyes, his broad chest rising and falling with a deep breath as he steps closer, hands framing my face, slipping into the back of my hair.
“What else do you hope for?” I ask quietly.
“I hope you stay with the team, keep learning and using your skills and knowledge to do what you love. I hope you move in with me and Bea so I can fall asleep next to you every night and wake up beside you every morning, so I can take care of you and make sure you eat. I hope we get married, if that’s what you want.”
“That’s what I want,” I cut in, my heart lifting as I study the rich green of his eyes. “I want that so badly.”
“Good.” He smiles, soft and loving. “I hope you and Bea continue building your relationship, because you need each other. I hope you and Holly become close friends, because I suspect you both want that. I hope we dance together in your bar or the kitchen or whatever hotel room we’re in for an away game. I hope you read articles about how handsome I am to try and embarrass me. That was truly evil, by the way.”
“Thanks,” I say quietly, and he laughs.
“I hope we have a long, happy life together.”
“I want that, too. All of that.”
“Good.”
He kisses me, kisses the smile on my mouth, and my heart is so full. Bursting with love and gratitude and joy and everything I ever wanted.
He pulls back, smiling down at me, so handsome it makes my heart ache. He makes a low noise in his throat, shaking his head like he can’t believe it.
“Ready?” he asks, and I nod, slipping my hand into his.
“Let’s go win the Stanley Cup.”
CHAPTER 94
