Page 163 of The Fake Out Flex

A lot of work.

And a ton of money. Good thing I have a trust fund I can tap into.

It's a crazy idea that I've somehow managed to turn into reality. All without her suspecting a thing.

I'm hoping that, a) she likes it and jumps on board, and b) that if she does, it might be something she wants to do together.

With me.

I can totally see us killing it.

Because Evie's not the only one facing the prospect of an uncertain future, career-wise.

I'm not ready to give up playing just yet. My body has another one or two seasons left in it, fingers crossed. And I'd love a shot at winning the Stanley Cup.

But after that, who knows?

This could be the start of the next stage of our lives.

Before I picked Evie up, I swung around here to make sure everything was perfect. Hannah has been working since the crack of dawn, positioning one thousand yellow roses in every single nook and cranny of what really isn't that big a space.

She's done a terrific job, transforming a musty locker room that hasn't been used for a decade into a beautiful oasis, even if she was distraught that there was a mix-up with the order and the roses she got weren't fragranced, hence the pervasive, less-than-nice boy smells wafting in the air around us.

"Are you comfortable?" I check.

"Oh, yeah. This is great. I love it. I'm thinking blindfolds could be a new trend alert."

"Ah, your sarcasm. One of the many things I love about you."

"Ah, your unintended swoonyisms. One of the many things I love about you."

I'm ninety-five percent sure swoonyisms isn't a word, but just like in high school, I'm not confident enough to challenge her on it.

"Okay, so before you see where we are, I need to warn you that this is quite an outlandish thing I'm doing."

"Really? Because the blindfold and driving me to a mysterious, smelly location totally made me think you've got something super boring and mundane lined up."

I chuckle. "This is just an idea. I hope you like it, but you're not under any pressure or obligation to go through with it. I have a Plan B in place."

"Can you please be more vague?"

I grin. All right, enough toying with her. "I'm going to take this off now…"

"Finally."

I reach toward the knot securing the blindfold. Evie's breath goes shallow with anticipation. I carefully untie the knot, and the blindfold loosens.

This is it. I'm about to reveal my big surprise.

There's no going back now.

I lift the blindfold away and step into a prime viewing position so I can see her face.

There's a moment of hesitation, and then her eyes flutter open. She blinks a few times, adjusting to the light.

She looks at me.

I smile nervously.

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