Page 34 of Game Day

Nova shifts onto a stool next to me once the guys are headed for the door.

Sierra brings Nova a cocktail, and she accepts it.

“Tell me what’s going on,” I prod.

“Just the usual wedding stuff. Brooke and Mari are both stepping up to help. They’ve turned it into a competitive sport.”

“Need a referee?”

“Thanks.” Nova’s smile lights up the entire room. “Mostly, I’m glad to be this loved. How about you?”

I don’t want to tell her about the house until it’s a done deal.

“Nothing but chill.” I squeeze her hand, and she laughs.

“You could spend the next season in cold storage and you wouldn’t come out chill.”

Now we’re both grinning.

Mile High is quiet tonight. It's midweek, and there are some regulars who give us space. Only the odd person glances over in a way that lingers more than a second or two.

"Do you think we'd be good parents?" she asks.

I turn it over, surprised by the change in subject. But the way she asks makes me give the question the same consideration I always do. "Yeah. I think we would. What made you ask that?"

"I was thinking about kids and parents today. It’s obvious how much yours love you."

The way her voice trembles at the edge, I know she’s thinking of her own parents.

I want to protect this girl from the world. But I can’t take that back, can’t change the tragedy. At least she doesn’t blame herself anymore for not being on that plane with them.

I couldn’t handle living in this world without Nova by my side. Now that I know she exists, no day is as bright without her.

I swivel on my stool to face her, resting a foot on the rungs on either side of her feet. Her face is open when I lift her chin, making the lights over the bar shine on her bright blue eyes, her parted lips. "You're caring and kind. You see people at their best and love them at their worst. There's no one I’d picture having kids with other than you."

Her eyes shine, the corners getting damp.I take her face in my hands and brush the tears away with my thumbs.

"Sometimes I wonder how I got so selfish,” I murmur. “I feel lucky with what I've done in my life so far. I've seen things, been part of things, a lot of people never will. But there are so many more things I want to do and be. They’re all since I met you."

The tears are back, but her lips are curved. She nudges me away and tries to swipe at them with the sleeve of her sweater. I bring her face back and kiss her.

"I want everything with you, Nova," I murmur against her mouth.

Her arms wind around my neck as she kisses me back. It's a knot I never want to untie.

"I want that too," she whispers.

I brush my fingers across her knuckles. The ring I gave her is smooth under my thumb. Knowing it's my ring on her finger is a kind of satisfaction I never expected.

When she looks at me with curiosity, I explain, "Feels good."

Her hands twine with mine, and I feel her rub my ring finger.

"One more week and I'll know for sure," she murmurs back.

It's like a hit to my chest. "You want to put a ring on me?"

"More than anything." Her lips curve.

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