I don’t like to interrupt her, but I do, pulling her into my arms. “Don’t say that. You’re the strongest woman I know.”
Her huff is muffled by her face being pressed against my chest, so after kissing the top of her head, I let her step back.
“I’m happy you’re here. More than happy. Relieved? Thrilled? Excited about all the hot sex we can have once your knee is fully healed?” Lily waggles her eyebrows and I let out a bark of laughter. “But seriously. I don’t know how to put into words how I feel. It’s just too big of a feeling. Too big of a love.”
Speechless, all I can do is gently tug her back into my arms and lower my head to meet her lips in a deep, drugging kiss that I feel all the way to the depths of my soul.
This time, it’s Lily who pulls back first, giving me that impish smirk I adore.
“But I sure hope you at least negotiated some good seats for when the Blaze play in Vancouver as part of your exit contract.”
Once again, her light has me laughing. “Box seats, sunshine. Nothing but the best for my girl.”
“Good boy.” Her wicked grin has me stifling a groan.
I don’t think I’ll ever stop wanting her. And a lifetime of just that sounds pretty fucking good.
Chapter thirty
Jude
The past two weeks have been nothing short of amazing. I found a more permanent home in Dogwood Cove in the form of an upgraded rental apartment. I prefer Lily’s house, or to be more specific, Lily’s bed, but it’s too soon for that. And having some roots of my own feels good.
The Ravens had their first round of tryouts, and the talent we saw was nothing short of incredible. I’ve spent every spare minute poring over coaching material, texting the coaching staff at the Blaze incessantly, and coming up with more plans and strategies than I care to admit.
And today, thanks to my new life, I get to celebrate Kat and Hunter’s engagement instead of missing it because of hockey. Best of all, I get to do it with the love of my life by my side. Mom and Dad got Mila to agree to rent out the entire café and bakery space for the night so everyone can celebrate with us.
“The two of them are so perfect together,” Lily sighs, leaning her head down on my shoulder. I turn my head slightly so I can breathe in the scent of her shampoo and kiss her, of course. My lips have a built-in Lily magnet and always seem to find their way to some part of her.
“Not as perfect as you.”
It’s not just a line. When I saw Lily step out in the sky blue dress she’s wearing, she stunned me with her beauty. But not just because of what she wore, or her makeup, or anything physical. The real beauty came from the joy radiating from her. A joy brought on by her freedom to fully be herself today, and every day, since she decided to close the door on her family forever.
It took a lot of tears, and even a couple of sessions with Hunter’s therapist, but Lily came to me, eyes shining, last week and sat down on my lap with four simple words that brought a tear to my eye.
“You are my family.”
I’d said something similar back on the beach after Nana’s birthday lunch. But to hear her say it, to know she believes it and she’s at peace with letting go of people who caused her nothing but pain makes me so proud, so awed by her strength and conviction in herself.
But today isn’t about Lily or me. It’s about my sister and her now fiancé, and the life they’re building together.
It feels like the whole town turned out to celebrate, which makes sense. Everyone knows Kat from working at the café, and Hunter’s not only a cop but just a fucking likable guy. My dad gave a toast to the couple, and then countless people followed with their well-wishes and congratulations. I’ve never seen Kat happier, or Hunter more embarrassed, but I know it’s hard for him having all the attention centered on him. Still, it’s clear there’s nowhere else he’d rather be than wrapped up with Kat.
After the speeches are done, and Lily and I have made the rounds talking to more people than I realized I even knew in town, I leave her standing with Kat to go in search of a drink.
Digging two beers out of one of the large coolers sitting beside the table laden with food, I turn to go back to Lily, only to stop when I see Beckett standing off to the side, staring at his phone as if he’s just seen a ghost. I make my way over to him, concerned about what’s rattled my usually unflappable younger brother.
“Beck? You alright?”
He blinks up at me from behind his glasses. “I…I don’t know. Cam just called; her grandfather died.”
My eyebrows lift at the mention of his friend from college. “Shit, man, that sucks. What can we do to help?”
His shoulders lift in a helpless expression. “I need to get to Manitoba and be there for her.”
I pull out my phone, open up my preferred travel app, and type out a few things. “I’m booking you on the next flight out.”
Beckett lets out a grateful sigh. “Yeah. Thanks. I guess I should go tell Mom and Dad.”
