He winked again, then lifted his other hand, as if to tell the crowd to give him a minute.
What was he doing?
Turning to face me, he drew something out of his pocket and slowly lowered himself to one knee.
The crowd went wild.
My mouth dropped open and my eyes widened. Theo Haven, my best friend and the most wonderful man I’d ever known, knelt in front of me with a ring.
An engagement ring. For me.
He tried to say something, but the crowd was too loud. From the corner of my eye, I could see his players jumping up and down, shouting, and putting their hands on their heads, like they couldn’t believe what they were seeing.
Neither could I.
Finally, Theo had to raise a hand again to get the crowd to quiet. A hush settled over the stadium and snowflakes fluttered softly around us.
“Penelope,” he began, “you’re the best friend I’ve ever had, and so much more. I love you. And maybe this seems crazy, but I’ve never been more sure of anything. I want you to be my wife. Will you marry me?”
I was so overwhelmed with happiness, I wasn’t sure whether I was laughing or crying. Probably a bit of both.
“Yes,” I managed, finally. “Yes!”
With a dimpled grin, he took my hand and slid the ring on my finger.
The crowd erupted in cheers as he stood. Wrapping his arms around me, he picked me up off my feet and twirled me around.
Our lips met in a kiss to renewed whistles and applause. Then he set me on my feet, took my left hand in his, and raised it into the air.
I’d always wondered what it would feel like to score a game-winning touchdown, but getting engaged to Theo Haven was better than any big win. It was everything.
Theo leaned down and spoke close to my ear. “I hope you don’t mind the crowd. I just thought this would be fun.”
“So fun,” I said, smiling so big my face was going to hurt later. “It’s perfect.”
“And I want everyone to know you’re mine.”
He kissed me again, his tongue doing things that were slightly inappropriate, considering it was a family-friendly event. But I didn’t care. It was the best moment of my entire life.
But the game did need to begin. Theo let go and I hurried off the field to another round of cheers and applause from his family. Melanie gave me a tearful hug and Grandma beamed.
“Oh, Penny,” she said. “That was worth the wait.” Was it ever.
Theo was worth everything.
The outcome of the game wouldn’t have diminished my giddiness by an ounce, but the win was even more exciting. The Timberwolves came out on top, securing their spot at the state finals.
A week later, they played in the biggest game in Tilikum High School history, and became the first Timberwolves team to win the state championship.
It was amazing. And still not as incredible as the moment when Theo Haven got down on one knee. For me.
Because that was the thing—he wanted me. Penelope. The weird art teacher who couldn’t see without her glasses and constantly got paint on her face. The girl who’d started to wonder if life was going to pass her by and all her dreams would have been just that—dreams, nothing more.
Until a football coach named Theo Haven came along and became my best friend, my roommate, my boyfriend, and finally, the true love of my life.
Epilogue
THEO
