We watch the guys skate to the snowbank and they just stare at it for several moments.
Grace furrows her brow as we watch them. “They’re all just staring at the snow like it’ll cough the puck back up.”
Sutton snickers. “Haha! This is why arenas exist.”
Zander lets out a shout and suddenly darts off of the ice.
“What was that?” Stacey asks. “I missed something.”
Rylee laughs. “Zander just yelled, ‘It’s fine, I’ll find it!’ and ran into the trees.”
Skyler grins. “Someone tell him that’s not a side quest.”
A few minutes later, he reemerges, holding the lost puck up triumphantly. The guys cheer and waste no time getting back to their game.
“God, how lucky are we to have each other?” I say out loud, my chest warming and my cheeks stretched wide with my delight.
“I know, right?” Skyler laughs.
“So fucking lucky,” Rylee nods.
“Couldn’t have imagined this a couple years ago.” Stacey’s voice is soft, her loving gaze locked on Owen.
“Yeah, lucky…” I glance at Sutton and am surprised to see she’s still staring at Jayce, appearing almost fascinated by him.
Oooh, I want to clap my hands in excitement… but I hold myself back. I did get too eager about the idea of her and Wilder,just for that to not work. Better let this play out on its own and see what happens.
“I know this sounds sappy, but I’m pregnant so you have to indulge me—can we get a group hug?” Stacey asks.
“Of course!” I exclaim as we all swarm around her in a tight embrace.
“Thanks you guys,” Stacey says, teary-eyed.
We all stand up and gather around Stacey, throwing our arms around each other in a big group hug. Jensen skates by that moment, snapping my attention back to him. Fuck, I’m so in love with him. I remember the first time I saw him, by a pool in Miami, and I had no idea then what he’d mean to me. I was just looking for some fun then, but I found the love of my life.
He catches me staring and grins before skating to the pond’s edge. I jump to my feet and rush toward him. He grabs my waist and pulls me into a hungry kiss. When he pulls back, he looks down at me, love shining in his eyes, and asks, “Are you happy?”
Cupping his face in both my hands, I nod. “I couldn’t be happier. This has been the best Christmas ever. I love you, Jensen. With all my heart.”
“I love you too, Grace, and I always will.”
ABOUT PUCKING ENEMIES
Some Mistakes you walk away from. Others change everything.
After my ex cheated and a random guy used me for a one-night stand, I made myself a promise. No more hookups. No more heartbreak.
The next guy I let in had to be perfect. Period.
Thankfully, my career was thriving. As lead photographer atICON Magazine, I landed two big features on the Stanley Cup champs—the Night Hawks.
Even better? My best friend Grace offered me her old apartment in Denver while I worked on the articles.
It felt like a clean slate… until a late-night intruder had me face-to-face withhim.
Zander.
The one-night stand.
