Page 119 of Put a Rink on It

“Because he’s the one who can get her into the clinic, duh,” she retorts. “My niece isn’t a fool.” Marina spins in my arms, peering up at me, the blue of her eyes my new favorite color. I tuck an errant strand of hair behind her ear. “Thank you for going above and beyond for her today.”

“All I did⁠—”

A finger to my mouth cuts me off. “Was everything to that girl. She’s loved hockey her entire life, and what Walsh can give her only goes so far. Not only did she get to sit in the stands at a professional game, she got a meet and greet with the players and a backstage tour of the locker room and arena. It’s a gift she won’t ever forget, one her father couldn’t have given her. One thing I love most about you is your love language of gifting the people you love. Not only do I get to reap the benefits of your generosity, but you also extend it to my family. For that, I’m eternally grateful.”

A lump builds in my throat at her words of appreciation. I’ve always spoiled Marina, even when I didn’t know the reason behind it. Her family is an extension of her, so I do what I can for them, too.

The professional hockey money won’t last forever, but there are endorsements or possibly another job to help pay the bills. It’s not on tomorrow’s list to figure out, but it’s something coming sooner rather than later.

Marina’s not with me for my money or the ability to give her nice things, and if it all went away tomorrow, we’d still be madly in love and building our future together. It would look different physically and financially, but not emotionally.

Finally, I manage, “You’re welcome, Marina. It’s my pleasure, truly, but however you want to spoil me later tonight, I’m all ears.”

She rises on tiptoe to murmur in my ear. “Wait until you see what I’ve got planned for you. It’s gonna knock your socks off.”

“Can’t wait.”

The sliding doors of the arena open, a frazzled woman with a toddler rushing through. “Any chance Finch Schurbatski’s still here?” she pants out, her vision darting around the lobby.

Schurbatski distances himself from our crowd. “How can I help you, ma’am?” his deep voice greets her.

She takes a step closer, the hold on the kid not loosening. “Oh, wow. I had hoped you would be here, but figured it was a long shot. You probably don’t remember me…”

Schurbatski narrows his eyes in scrutiny. “I’m sorry, no. Do we know each other?”

A nervous titter escapes the woman. “It was only one night. I wouldn’t expect you to remember. Hell, I didn’t know who you were until years later, not until I saw your face on the TV screen and the reason for the anonymity became clear. I didn’t want you to think I was after your fame or money. That’s not why I’m here.”

“You tracked me down for another reason?” Schurbatski guesses, his expression morphing from confusion to serious. “Wait. Josie?”

The woman nods. “My daughter needs a new liver.” She pauses and looks down at her daughter. I’m not sure where Schurbatski’s at, but Marina squeezes my hand, connecting the same dots I am. “She’s on the list, but the doctors think maybe her father might be a match…”

Being a perceptive guy, Schurbatski’s eyes drift to the girl, sizing her up the way he does with everyone in his life. “Her father?” he questions.

The woman nods, tears catching at the corners of her eyes. “I’m sorry I didn’t tell you, but⁠—”

A member of the Nauts PR team swoops in from out of nowhere, shuffling the three of them away from our crowd.

“OMG.” Juliet’s the first to speak, saying what’s on everyone’s mind.

“Exactly that,” Marina confirms.

“Who’s gonna tell me what’s going on?” Lennon squeals, breaking the hold the moment has over us.

“How about we go out for cookies?” Millie suggests.

“Nothing’s open now, Ma,” Marina states, “but lucky for you, Nero had the idea to order a bunch from the bakery earlier today. We can bring them to the hotel for you.”

“With one detour first,” I reveal to Marina’s surprise.

“Uh, no, Nero. We talked about this.”

“I never agreed.” I meet each of the group’s individual eyes, ending with my fiancée. “We can all attest Marina’s the queen of secret keeping, and I’ve kinda encouraged that some. But now that our secrets have all been spilled, it’s liberating, and we should keep it that way. I can’t say Connecticut will be our forever residence, but we’ve already outgrown the apartment.”

“You’re pregnant?” Juliet blurts, the attention swinging to Marina.

“Still not,” she admits, the defeat in her voice palpable if you’re listening carefully enough.

“Rats,” Millie says.