Not pretendhas become my two favorite words in Alex’s vocabulary. He’s always reminding me after a kiss or when he tells me he loves me that this is real for him.
The engagement ring is simple, yet beautiful. It perfectly suits my style and I immediately fall in love with its understated elegance.
“Alex,” I whisper.
He cradles my hand the same way he’s done hundreds of times, brushing his thumb over my knuckles. It always calms me down and grounds me.
“I told you once that I’m a man who goes after what he wants.” He gives me that lopsided smile I love. “I know exactly what I want, sweetheart. You. Forever.”
My eyes widen. “You’re serious?”
A warm laugh leaves him. “Yes, baby. I’m always serious when it comes to you. Do I have to remind you again with another not-pretending kiss?”
“You’re crazy,” I mumble.
He grazes my forehead with his lips. “Crazy about you.” Leaning back, his eyes meet mine. “I didn’t want to make this big change and have you thinking you were left behind because I signed an NHL contract. I wasn’t going without making sure you knew that first. It doesn’t matter where I go, which team I play for. My heart is yours, Lainey. So will you marry me or not?”
My heart squeezes. “Are you sure? We’re so young.”
“We can wait as long as you want to make it official,” he says quickly. “I just want everyone to know you’re mine. To know someday I’ll get to call you my wife.”
I draw in a sharp breath, biting my lip. He gazes at me earnestly, green eyes full of love.
“That would make you my husband.” A laugh bubbles out of me as it sinks in that we haven’t been temporary for a long time. The lonely doubts clinging to me evaporate. “I like the sound of that.”
He nods, squeezing my waist. “Me too, baby. If you say yes, we can go to the courthouse right now. Or we can wait. It’s up to you. I’m all fucking in.”
I laugh again, leaning my forehead against his chest. Somehow I manage to nod, realizing a moment later I’m saying yes over and over.
Alex crushes me in a hug, an exhale huffing out of him that’s half a relieved laugh, half a groan. “I thought you were going to leave me hanging. Holy shit. You said yes.” Another laugh leaves him. “We’re getting married.”
“You’re going to make me drop the ring.” I can’t stop grinning, clutching the engagement ring so it doesn’t slip from my grasp while he holds me in his strong embrace.
“Let me.”
Grabbing my waist, he boosts me to sit on the truck bed and takes the ring from me. I hold out my hand and he slides it on my finger. I admire it as warmth spreads through me.
“I love it,” I murmur.
Alex rests his forehead against mine. “Marrying you is better than any goal I’ve ever scored or will score.”
