“Oh . . . my . . . God,” she whispers, then closes her eyes. “I still can’t believe we were able to make this happen.”
“Are you really taking credit?” I ask, brow raised.
“Uh, yeah. Maybe our suggestions aren’t what won you over in the end, but it kept Halsey involved, and if we weren’t pushing him, then I don’t think he would have ever made a move.”
“Which is so strange to me,” I say. “He’s such a confident man. You’d think he would have tried to get me on his own.”
“Not when playing with his heart,” Penny says. “He protects that carefully.”
“I guess you’re right about that.”
“So what’s next? You guys are officially living together, the place looks amazing, much better than the sterile four walls you originally moved into. Are you going to get married?”
“Hey . . . if anyone is getting married first, it’s you and Eli.”
“I know, we’re working on it. We want to take our time. Maybe when Holden is a little older, he can be the ring bearer. We talked about it the other night. We want him to have a part in the wedding, and it would be adorable seeing him waddle down the aisle.”
I move my hand to my heart. “My God, that would be so cute.”
“Yeah, so it might be a while, but we’re okay with that. What about you?”
“I think I just want to relax and enjoy the time with Halsey. Make it through the season, go up to the famous cabin in Banff during the summer, and see where it takes us. I know he’s committed to me, though. He’s said it several times.”
“That’s the one thing you have to love about these boys. They’re loyal to their core.”
“They are,” I say as the game comes back on, and they show a replay of Halsey’s goal. He makes it seem so effortless as he handles the puck and glides along the ice. And I can vouch forthe fact that this man is good at using his hands. “Also, Halsey has mentioned wanting to get in touch with his family again. He talked about it the other night.”
“What did he say?”
“Just that he thinks it’s time.”
“Are you worried about it?” Penny asks just as Holden lifts his head but then slams it back down on her chest. She lightly grunts and rubs his back, soothing him.
“No, not really. I mean, I’m worried that maybe Halsey might not get what he wants from it, but I’ll be there for him the entire time. He’s mentioned wishing his family was closer. I think the more intense our relationship becomes, the more he wants to share it.”
“You think because he wants to marry you?”
“Well, we haven’t said I love you yet, but from the way he speaks about me, it sounds like he’d want to head in that direction. I can’t imagine what it would be like to get married without your family, you know?”
“Yeah, so he probably wants to mend those relationships for what he has planned.”
“I think so,” I say.
She nods. “Well, I hope everything turns out the way he wants it to. He deserves happiness, and he’s found it with you. I truly hope that’s all he needs.”
“You look hot,”Halsey says as I walk into the kitchen wearing a black pencil skirt, navy-blue top, black tailored suit jacket, and black high heels.
“Thank you,” I say as I walk up to him where he’s sitting on the counter, drinking his coffee. I cup his cheek and kiss him, only quickly though before I pull away.
“Are you sure you don’t want me to drive you to the airport?” he asks.
“Positive. You have to pack and get on the road soon yourself.”
“I’d make it work for you.”
I grab a protein bar—this almond coconut one that Halsey got me into—and stuff it into my carry-on before grabbing a premade iced coffee from the fridge as well.
“I know you would, but I don’t want you stressing,” I say. “Anyway, you have some important games to concentrate on.”
