Heat spreads through my cheeks. I like it when we do that. “That sounds good, too.”
He cradles my cheek, sinking his fingers in my hair. The affectionate moment isn’t for show. I learned how tactile he is after we started dating for real.
I lean into the touch and he tugs me closer, murmuring in my ear again. “No matter what, you’re my girl, sweetheart.”
EPILOGUE
LAINEY
August, One Year Later
Alex holdsmy hand as he hauls his last bag out to his truck parked in front of my house. He spent the end of summer break with us.
While I’m getting ready for the fall semester, he’s on his way to the start of his future in Elmont, New York to play for the Islanders.
He was their draft pick last summer in the first round. Rather than wait for him to finish out his time at college, they offered him a contract this year for the upcoming hockey season.
As proud as I am because he’s worked hard for this, my heart gives a faint twinge of loneliness. I’ve prepared myself all summer for this. Not only for the distance this will put between us physically, but the possibility that with that distance he’ll realize what we have isn’t so special after all. He might be the one who suggested all the ways we’ll stay in touch, but the reality is he probably won’t have the time or energy he plans to put into our long distance relationship.
Frowning, I push the pessimistic thoughts from my mind.
This is his moment and I won’t ruin it with my old insecurities flaring up.
They’re born from a combination of my mom’s affair splitting my family apart and my own isolation habits. It’s been a long time since I’ve faced them after working through how I felt with my dad and Theo, and learning to come out of my shell. I have no reason to doubt my boyfriend.
Alex flashes me a sidelong look. He’s been the quiet one all day and it’s throwing me off. Maybe he’s nervous.
“I’ll text you when I get there. At least I’m only a few hours away. We won’t be far from each other.”
I duck my head with a soft smile. He’s always able to tell when I’m down without me needing to voice it.
“Hockey players are on the road a lot,” I say. “You’ll be adjusting to a new team and training schedule at the professional level. You should focus on getting to know them. Don’t worry about me.”
He pulls a face and my smile stretches wider while he tosses a duffel bag in the truck. “But we’re home during the break after midterms. You’ll come down then, yeah?”
I slip my arms around his waist from behind and hug him tight to hold me over until I see him again. “Of course. I’ll miss you, but I promise I’ll be okay.”
Tension bleeds from his body and he turns around. “Good.”
Alex captures my waist between his large hands and guides me to lean against the truck before rummaging through his bags. “I got you something.”
I accept the book-shaped package and smirk. “You’re the one we’re supposed to be celebrating.”
He doesn’t respond, watching me carefully. Almost nervously.
Beneath the wrapping, I find the book I’ve been reading. The familiar bookmark sticking out gives it away. He took it off the pile on my nightstand.
I shoot him an amused look. “Thanks, babe. You’re so sweet and thoughtful.” I stretch on my toes to kiss his cheek. “Great taste.”
“Open it,” he urges.
Examining the book, I find there’s something inside where my place is marked creating a slight disruption. I open it, then blink at what’s inside.
Shock filters through my system. There’s a simple handwritten note beside my bookmark.
Will you marry me? (Not pretend )
The words barely register because the ring tucked between the pages slides down, in danger of falling. I catch it, setting the book behind me on his truck bed.
