“Why, they are true.”
“Because they make me want to keep you forever.”
“That’s good, because I don’t plan on going anywhere.”
“I love you.”
“Love you too,” I whispered.
“Want to play rock-paper-scissors to see who gets to be on top tonight?” she mumbled, then laughed.
“Nope, because tonight, whether you like it or not, I’m on top,” I said, kissing the side of her neck. “Come on, let’s go to bed.”
Epilogue
Bianca
I stoodat the edge of the rink, tablet in hand, watching as the team skated warm-up laps, then I looked over at Evan. It was amazing how much had changed.
Even though his shoulder had fully healed, he still pushed himself harder than anyone else on the team. I’d watched him rebuild himself, and I’d been there every step of the way, pushing him when he needed it and telling him to back away when I knew he was pushing too hard. There were times I was afraid he was going to walk away from us, but he hadn’t; he’d stayed. I was sure there were times he figured I’d leave, but I hadn’t. I couldn’t. I was too in love with the man I knew was in there.
Evan skated by and then circled back around, eyeing me through the glass, smiling. That small smile he only gave to me, making me feel as if I were the only person in the entire rink who mattered.
We’d been through a lot—arguments, the almost late-night kisses in our shared apartment that my father pushed us intosharing, months of quiet confessions between the pair of us, an injury that almost tore us apart and months of learning to look the other way and accept each other’s fears all along while still choosing each other.
Evan skated over to where I stood, tapping his stick lightly against the glass. I moved over to the boards.
“Hey you,” he whispered.
“Hey yourself. How’s the shoulder feeling after an entire month of playing?”
“Perfect,” he said, rolling it once. “Thanks to you.”
“You did it all, Evan. I just guided you.”
“Yeah, but it was you who made me believe I could. Do you remember when I wouldn’t even look at you without snapping at you?”
“Yeah, I remember that stubborn ass.” I giggled. “I didn’t like him very much.”
“I was terrified of you.” Evan laughed.
“Of me? Why?” I asked, shocked.
“How you made me feel. I wanted you so badly, I thought it might break me. Pair that with an injury and a woman who wouldn’t put up with my shit.”
“Yeah, well, you are nothing like the man I first met. You know that, right?”
“I do. I also know that needing you doesn’t make me my father. It makes me yours.” He winked.
I swallowed hard. “Damn right it does.”
Evan looked at me, studying my eyes, a soft smile coming to rest on his lips. “How the hell did I get so lucky?”
“The same way I did,” I whispered, resting my forehead against his.
“After the game, are we still on for Marino’s?”
I couldn’t help but frown. “The fancy seafood place? What is the occasion?”
