“Nope,” she says with a teary smile. “After the playoffs. Turks and Caicos. The whole team is coming. Everything’s already planned.”
“We’ll renew our vows in Turks and Caicos,” I reply. “But I am marrying you tonight.”
I knew this was the night, so you better fucking believe I came prepared. Slipping my hand out of my right glove, I tip it over and shake it, letting her engagement ring drop into my palm.
She gasps, eyes wide as I hold it up at her through the glass. It’s a three-carat, round-cut solitaire diamond on a yellow gold band. I bought it the week she moved in with me last year. You know…just in case.
My gaze darts left to where arena security is opening the gate for us. I skate down and she shimmies along the row, people moving out of her way to let her pass. I drop my other glove to the ice and pull her to me with my right hand as soon as she passes the last seat. With my left, I hold up the ring. “If you’re asking, I’m saying yes.”
She smiles, holding out her left hand. “I’m asking.”
I take her hand, not caring that we’re both trembling as I slip the ring on her finger. Then she wraps her arms around my neck, and I kiss her like she’s the only person I’ll kiss for the rest of my life.
“Marry me, Ryan,” she murmurs against my lips. “I’m asking. Make me the happiest woman in the world.”
“Yes,” I say with my whole soul.
“Marry me.”
“Yes.”
All around us, the crowd goes wild.
THE END