Page 64 of Fated Shot

When we break apart again, I tilt my head back to meet his eyes again. “I don’t want space.”

It’s as if I just lifted a fifty-pound weight off his chest as he breathes a sigh of relief.

“Thank fuck for that.”

Resting both of his hands on either side of my face, he kisses me so tenderly I feel like I’m floating. Nothing in my life has ever felt this right before, it’s freaking terrifying in the best way.

I don’t deserve it. His kindness, his passion, his certainty, but I am going to do everything I can to prove I’m worth it. When we part, his gaze drops to my apron as his charming chuckle breaks out. “You’re covered in flour.”

“I was making you ‘I’m sorry’ cookies,” I reply, looking down and patting away a few obvious spots on the fabric. “I panicked. I didn’t want my parents to see some picture of us in the news or have Sebastian use it as some sort of blackmail. I think I knew in that moment I needed to do something, but I just couldn’t and I didn’t communicate in a way you deserved. It got really overwhelming all of a sudden, and I just broke down. I didn’t want to drag you down with me.”

“You don’t drag me down, Wyndham,” he says, thumb grazing my cheek.

“I couldn’t even sleep, but I just needed to handle things on my own. Then Penn called me, and I was so worried about you. I raced right over.”

“I’m glad you did,” he says soothingly, rubbing my arms.His saddened eyes return to me, studying my face as his expression darkens.

“Tell me you know I’d never treat you the way he did, say the things he did… I never want to hurt you.”

“I know you wouldn’t.” It’s the truth, he’s the complete opposite of what I’ve grown so used to.

“Good.” He pulls me in for another hug, voice muffled. “Let’s start fresh. We’re just going to see where this goes, okay?”

I nod, so grateful for his constant grace. “Okay.”

“Promise me, Mia. I need you to just talk to me when you get overwhelmed, no more running away.”

I extend my pinky toward him.

“No more running away.”

He wraps his around mine with a reassuring smile on his face.

“Can I come pick up my cookies? I missed my guy Bean. I found a cat nip puck at the store that I’ve been dying to give him.”

I laugh at the thoughtful giant in front of me. “We’d love that.”

I truly don’t know how I got so lucky.

Chapter 27

Jack

I can’t remember a single time in the last ten years that I’ve ever been this happy.

Sure, getting drafted, playing my first game in the NHL, and Penn getting called up to the Tundra were all life highlights, but they were just blips—spikes of emotion in my otherwise typical existence.

Lately, it’s been snuggling on the couch, ordering takeout, going on walks, and small things every day that should feel like nothing special but are actually everything. It’s a constant state of happiness that I didn’t think would ever be possible for me. And it’s all as a result of Mia.

I don’t even know if we’re officially together, but I don’t want to scare her off. I’m a patient man and if we need to take this at her pace, that’s exactly what we’ll do.

I’ll do anything if it means I keep getting to come home to her after a few days away, stop by to have lunch together after practice, and talk on the phone constantly. I’m a phone guy now, by the way. It’s my connection to Mia when we’re apart, so I’m suddenly glued to my screen.

She’s naturally a bit hesitant about jumping into anything serious right now. We haven’t even talked about what we are. Honestly, even if I wanted to, I wouldn’t know how to ask if we're exclusive.

She’s entered my orbit, and I’m set on making her my center of gravity. I just need to figure out a way to do it, or, better yet, convince her to let me.

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