She cups my cheeks. “It’s a good thing I’ll be working, then. I’m happy to float you.”
I shake my head, a wave of embarrassment washing over me. “I’ll figure something out, I swear. But I have to do this. Avery needs me.”
Adeline’s expression softens. “JJ, the last thing I want you for is your money. But I do want you. Hell, I’d marry you with paper rings. You’re all I need.”
I frown. “Did you just….” I search her eyes, looking for any hint of apprehension but finding none. “Adeline, are you serious? Did you just ask me to marry you?”
She bites her lip, the color of her already flushed face deepening, her nerves finally coming through.
“Adeline Langfield.” I adopt that chiding tone she likes to use on me.
She shakes her head.
“Adeline Langfield, did you just propose to me? Are we going to have to change the name on your jersey to Hanson?”
She scoffs. “Oh my god, I’m not taking your last name.”
Amusement courses through me. “That’s fine, I’ll take yours.”
“JJ,” she says. There’s that chiding tone I love so much.
“Were you serious?” I ask, my heart in my throat. “Would you really marry me, rich or poor? Job or jobless?”
“JJ, I’d give away the last pennies I have to marry you. I’d give all this up for you and Avery. So yeah.” Her eyes widen like it’s just hit her. Nodding along in shock, witha big smile on her face, she drops to the ice. Still in full gear, face flushed and hair a mess, she looks up at me. “Jonathan Francis Bouvier Hanson, will you marry me?”
“Oh no. You aren’t beating me to this,” I say, dropping down in front of her.
The crowd around us goes wild.
“Two truths and a lie,” I say.
She smiles. “Today is the best day of my life. You are the best thing to ever happen to me. I won’t miss you at all when you retire.”
I laugh. “We both know you’ll miss me like crazy.”
Her eyes dance. “Your turn.”
“I was put on this earth to be your husband and Avery’s father. You’re already my best friend. And you’re my favorite person in the world. And the best goalie I’ve ever competed against.”
She chokes on a laugh. “That was a lot more than three, and I don’t think any were lies.”
“You’re right. It was a proposal. Marry me, Adeline Langfield. I want more moments with you. I want an eternity.”
Tears crest her lashes and fall in streams down her cheeks. “I love you.”
“I love you too, baby,” I murmur, my voice barely audible over the raucous crowd. “Is that a yes? Are we really doing this? Because, fuck, do I want to.”
Lips pressed together and teary eyes shining, she nods. “This changes everything.”
I grin. “Good. Now kiss me.”
“There’s no going back,” she taunts. “You kiss me now, and it’s for life. I’m keeping you forever.”
I cuff the back of her neck and pull her mouth to mine. “Kiss. Me. Anyway.”
With a hum, she brushes her lips against mine. “You were almost right about everything.”
I want her mouth so badly, but I want to know her thoughts more, so I pull back a fraction. “What did I get wrong?”
