Declan skates purposefully toward the team bench. When he reaches it, he sits down and fiddles with his skates. It looks like he’s putting on skate guards, which means he’s going to be off the ice for a couple of minutes.
And I can’t take the stress anymore.
“I’m going for it,” I say as I turn to face Jamie Beth. “I don’t think I’m supposed to wait any longer. I just have this feeling that I should say something before the game. Maybe that’s nuts, but…I’m going.”
I stand up and drop my purse into Jamie’s lap. “Hold this for me.”
“You’re going to the ice?”
“Yeah. But maybe I can talk to him while he’s still on the bench. Then I won’t risk wiping out.” I wave my hand in the air wildly. “I don’t freaking know what I’m doing. I just know that I’m going. Wish me luck.”
“Um, Mia?” Jamie abruptly reaches out and grips my arm like a vice, effectively holding me in place.
“Yeah?”
“Turn around.”
I whip around toward the aisle.
Declan is heading up the aisle toward me. His helmet’s off. His gloves are off. His eyes are fixed on me.
“Declan…” I get out as he reaches me.
He puts a finger to his lips as he drops to both knees.
Oh, God.
“Marry me again, Mia,” he says, his voice a bare whisper.
I vaguely hear his mother gasp and Cam chuckle. I dimly hear Jamie Beth alert me that the kiss-cam has found us.
I wouldn’t care if the entire world was watching us right now because the only person I’m focused on is on his knees in front of me.
I kneel, too. “Marrymeagain,” I say back to him. “That’s what I was coming to say to you.”
“You were on your way down to the ice?” he asks me with raised eyebrows.
“I was on my way to you. I was prepared to brave the ice if I had to.”
“You could have gotten hurt.” He drags his fingers down my cheek.
“You’re worth the risk,” I say, my throat heavy with emotion.
“So are you.” His gray eyes darken. “You’re always worth the risk, Mia.”
“Kiss-cam is still on you!” Jamie Beth warns.
Declan glances up. “Looks like we’re on camera.”
“I don’t mind.”
“Can I kiss you?”
“God, yes.”
His mouth crashes down on mine.
The arena erupts.
