Relief and joy flood through me so intensely that I feel lightheaded. I fumble slightly with the ring before sliding it onto her finger. The solitaire diamond ring settles perfectly against her skin like it was always meant to be there. The first time I saw it on her finger at Meridian Jewelers, we were just playing a part.
But now, I’m choosing Chey for real.
Her arms come around my neck as she rises on tiptoes to kiss me, and for a moment, we’re the only two people in the world. Her lips are soft against mine, tasting of salt from her tears and sweetness that’s just Cheyenne. I hold her close, pouring everything I feel into the kiss—all the love, the gratitude, the promise of a future together.
The moment is broken by a collective cheer from our friends, who apparently can’t contain themselves any longer. Suddenly we’re surrounded, Genna reaching us first with a shriek of delight as she practically tackles her best friend.
“Let me see the ring!” she demands, grabbing Cheyenne’s hand. “Oh my gosh, it’s gorgeous! Did you know about this? Did you suspect anything?”
Cheyenne laughs, looking slightly dazed but radiantly happy. “Not a clue. I thought we were just having Friendsgiving.”
The guys move in next, Blaze with a whoop of excitement as he claps me on the back hard enough to leave a bruise.
“Congrats, man!” he exclaims, pulling me into a bone-crushing hug. “Welcome to the marriage club! It’s the best decision you’ll ever make.”
Addy hugs Cheyenne, then me, her smile genuine and warm. “I’m so happy for you both. And that ring is absolutely perfect.”
One by one, my teammates offer congratulations, their usual locker room banter replaced with sincere emotion that reminds me why these guys are more than just teammates—they’re family.
“Knew you had it in you,” Cam says.
Kade pulls me aside briefly, his hand firm on my shoulder. “I told you she’d say yes,” he says with a satisfied smile.
Nila appears with champagne flutes on a tray, and Colton follows with a bottle of sparkling cider for himself. “I had these ready just in case,” she explains with a wink. “Cam said there was a 95% chance you wouldn’t chicken out.”
“Thanks for the vote of confidence.” I laugh, accepting a glass.
Paul uncorks a bottle of champagne, filling glasses as they’re passed around. When everyone has a drink, Kade raises his glass.
“To Dylan and Cheyenne,” Kade says, his voice carrying over the excited chatter. “Who took the longest possible route to find what was right in front of them the whole time.”
“Hear, hear!” Blaze calls, lifting his glass higher.
“And may your lives together be as beautiful as the love that brought you here,” Paul adds. “And may we all be lucky enough to witness it.”
“To the future Mr. and Mrs. Williamston!” Cam exclaims.
“To Dylan and Cheyenne!” everyone echoes, glasses clinking as the toast ripples through our little gathering.
Cheyenne finds her way back to my side, fitting perfectly against me as my arm slides around her waist. She tips her face up to mine, her smile bright.
“Mrs. Williamston, huh?” she says softly, just for me. “I like the sound of that.”
“Me too,” I tell her. “More than I can say.”
A year ago, I never would’ve believed I’d be here—happily committed, planning a future with the woman I love, surrounded by friends who feel like family. A year ago, I was still hiding behind the facade of Dylan Williamston … the hockey playboy, too afraid of getting hurt to admit what I really wanted.
But Cheyenne changed all that. She saw through the act, challenged me to be better, loved me not despite my flaws but with full knowledge of them.
And somehow, miraculously, she’s chosen to spend her life with me.
Can life get any better than this? I don’t think so.
Extended Epilogue
Cheyenne
One Year Later
