Page 63 of Love on the Ice

She’s got balloons blown up all around her and what looks like a large piece of plastic piping. “Making a balloon arch,” she announces, and she acts as if I should know what it is she’s doing.

I’ve never seen anything like it in my entire life.

Blinking, I shrug a shoulder and slowly walk away from her and toward the door that leads to the backyard. But before I can even reach for the handle, my senses are assaulted by the smell of something savory. I can’t explain it.

“What is that?” I ask, turning my head to look into the kitchen.

Brooklynn lifts her head, her smile taking over her face. “Ham and cheese sliders, meatballs, brie bites, and sausage rolls.”

“You make all this?” I ask.

She nods her head once. “I made the hot things. Karlie did all the appetizers, including veggies, meat, and cheese charcuterie trays along with dips. We’ve been busy.”

I snort. “I guess. Damn, you guys really did go all out.”

Her face softens, and she gives me a small smile. “Lorelai is yours, but since she was eighteen, she’s been ours. We truly love her, and after everything…” Her voice trails off before she shakes her head and comes back to the conversation. “After everything, she deserves to have something special.”

“She does,” I agree, keeping my tone low. I dip my chin in a single nod and take a step backward, continuing on my journey to the backyard.

The backyard is a flurry of action. Streamers, balloons, signs, and then tables and tablecloths, chairs, and chair covers. It looks nicer than some weddings I’ve been to before. I love it, and I know that Lorelai is going to be shocked. I also know that it won’t be her only surprise of the night.

“You ready?” Otto asks.

He’s my closest friend, and although all my roommates are my family, Otto and I have always been the closest. “More than ready,” I say.

“Wild,” he laughs. “We moved in here less than a year ago, and now you’re going to get engaged. It fits, though. The two of you. You complement one another, and I’m excited to have her as my sister.”

And that is that.

I help set up what I can before I leave them to finish with a wave. I'm headed for the spa to pick up Lorelai. The building is only a few minutes away, but I don’t go straight there. Instead, I stop at her favorite coffee place and buy her a flavored tea.

As soon as I pay for her tea, I’m alerted of an incoming text. It’s from my mom.

MOM: We’re here. Everything looks wonderful. I’ll see you soon.

BE THERE IN A FEW.

Tossing my phone into my cup holder, I smile to myself, thinking about the first time my mom laid eyes on Lorelai. It was a month after the trial with Professor MacDonald. The dust had settled, and she was finally feeling herself again.

My mother loved her instantly. My father did as well, but he was focused on me, on the way I looked at her, on the way she looked at me. And he knew she was it. He asked me that first meeting when I was going to propose. And I told him as soon as Lorelai figured out her career, whatever that looked like.

He told me not to wait too long.

I knew then that I wouldn’t have to because Lorelai had started working on her future, on her career, when she was just eighteen years old, and she was more determined than ever to get it off the ground. Her numbers. Her stable, constant numbers. And I wouldn’t be the man for her if I got in the way of any of that.

When I pull the car up to the spa, she lifts her hand and waves through the window, and a few seconds later, she’s sinking down into the front seat. Before I say a word, I reach out, cupping her cheek, and lean over the center console as I touch my mouth to hers in a kiss.

LORELAI

I don’t know if there is something fishy going on, but I don’t think I care, either. I had the most amazing day. It was so relaxing, and after the stress and testing that I had this week, it was everything I didn’t know I needed.

Reid reaches over, lacing our fingers together before he lifts both of our hands toward his lips and touches his mouth to the back of my hand. Then he sets them down on the center console before he shifts the SUV into Reverse and backs out of the spot.

Sinking my teeth into my bottom lip, I watch his profile as he begins to drive toward our houses. I’m not sure which one is mine and which one is his at this point. It’s all blurred. We move liquidly between each other’s homes.

I thought we would spend more time apart, needing space here and there, but we haven’t. Each night that he’s home, we fall asleep in one another’s arms. It’s better than anything I could have dreamed up for myself.

Plus, Reid has signed another yearlong contract with the Carolina Fury, so I have him across the street for at least another full year. If he ever gets traded or has to move, we can worry about that then. I’m not thinking about it. I’m too lost in the bliss of being so close to him every night.

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