"Or terrible timing. We barely saw each other."
"But we made it work. That's what matters."
The team was celebrating on the ice, but Jake stayed by the glass, talking to Lucy, choosing her over the celebration.
"Go," Lucy said. "Be with your team. Celebrate. You earned this."
"Come to Mac's after? The team's celebrating there."
"I have to go back to the restaurant—"
"Lucy. One night. Let Daniel handle it. Come celebrate with me."
Lucy thought about it. She should go back to Margaret's. Should be there for cleanup, for her team, for her restaurant.
But she also wanted to be with Jake. To celebrate his victory, their victories, everything they'd built together.
"Okay," Lucy said. "One night. I'll come celebrate."
At Mac's Tavern, the whole town seemed to be there. The Wolves, their families, supporters. Giuseppe had closed his restaurant to come celebrate.
Jake found Lucy in the crowd and pulled her close.
"Thank you," he said into her hair. "For being here. For supporting me through this season."
"Thank you for supporting me through the restaurant opening."
"We're a good team."
"The best team."
They stayed until past midnight, celebrating with the team, with the town, with everyone who'd supported them.
And when they finally went home—to Jake's apartment, collapsing into bed exhausted but happy—Lucy felt something settle in her chest.
This was it. This was the life they'd built. Two people chasing their dreams, supporting each other, making it work despite impossible timing and competing priorities.
It wasn't perfect. It wasn't easy.
But it was theirs.
And it was enough.
More than enough.
It was everything.
Chapter 23
April in Vermont was mud season.
The snow melted, leaving behind brown slush and unpredictable weather. But inside Margaret's, everything was blooming.
The restaurant had been open for three weeks, and every night was fully booked. Reviews were glowing—the Burlington Free Press called it "a revelation," the local food blogger said it was "worth the drive from anywhere in New England."
Lucy should have been thrilled. Instead, she was exhausted.
She worked sixteen-hour days. Arrived at 8 AM to prep, stayed until past midnight for cleanup. She barely saw Jake, who was dealing with his own post-championship chaos—interviews, sponsor meetings, planning for next season.
