Page 47 of Slap Shots & Sweethearts

"You'll see," he replies, his eyes twinkling with excitement.

We drive for a while until we reach a quieter part of town with a little pizza shop. Matt parks the car and we get out, walking towards the shop I find all the tables are empty. But there's one in the center with lit candles and a pepperoni pizza for us to share. A glass of Diet Coke even sits on the table with a lime wedge waiting for me to drop it in.

"Matt?" I ask, looking around to see him down on one knee.

He holds up a sign and a pen. The sign says:

Be my Sweetheart forever?

There are two check boxes below it, one for yes and one for no.

"Yes!" I tell him. "So many yes's."

He grins and holds out the pen. "Can you check it, just so I'm certain?"

I grab for the pen, and check the box so there is no doubt, and he pulls out a diamond ring to slide on my hand. It’s a classic solitaire, not too flashy or gaudy, and simply elegant.

He stands up and I wrap my arms around him. His hands move around my waist, and I have to tip my head up to look into his eyes.

We're both smiling as he slowly leans down. The anticipation makes my breath catch. His face is so close now, I can feel the warmth of his breath on my lips. My heart pounds louder, drowning out the sounds of the night. Time seems to slow, each second stretching out as we move closer.

"There's the smile I was hoping for," He tells me. "It’s my favorite."

"Why?" I ask him.

"Because when you smile like that, I know you love me, and I’ve made you happy."

My smile gets even bigger, and he closes the distance between us.

With his lips finally on mine, all the unspoken words and emotions we've shared come together. I lose myself in the moment, in him, and the promise of his love and devotion for me. I know that no matter what comes our way, we'll face it together.

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