Page 116 of Power Play

“I love you. I have for the longest time—at this point, I don’t think I can remember a day when you weren’t on my mind. You are my constant. My true north. You are my heart, the person I want to spend forever with. Will you marry me?”

“Yes!” She says it so quickly, I know there aren’t any second thoughts. She’s all in, just like I am. And I’m the happiest guy in the world. Our friends are clapping and cheering for us while still giving us a moment to ourselves.

I stand up and put the ring on her finger. The one I bought for her four years ago, always knowing she would be the one I gave it to someday.

Layla lifts her hand, admiring the ring. A round, brilliant, half-carat diamond is set in the center of a classic platinum band. Suddenly, she frowns, her eyes finding me. “Wait…Is this Harry Winston?”

“Yes.”

“Oh my God, Clay.” Tears stream down her face, her lips trembling. I take a step toward her but stop when I feel a tiny hand wrap around my fingers.

I peer down at Maya, and tenderness fills me to the brim. She smiles at me. “Maya, I’m going to marry your mommy. What do you think? Can I?”

The smile on her face dies, and behind her pink glasses, her eyes fill with tears. Her chin starts trembling, and she hauls Bon-Bon to her chest and holds her close. I freeze; fear immobilizes me. It’s not the reaction I was hoping for, and now I feel like my heart is breaking in two.

“What’s wrong, Princess?” I kneel to her, my eyes searching her face.

Maya steps into me, staying quiet. Then she opens her mouth and asks, “And you will be my daddy?”

Layla gasps behind me. Joy overwhelms me, pinning me to the spot. Happy tears slowly leak down my cheeks.

“I’d love to, Maya.” I level my eyes with hers. “Can I be your daddy? Will you let me?”

Instead of an answer, she jumps into my arms and winds her hands around my neck, hugging me tightly. “I love you, Daddy,” she whispers in my ear, and in that moment I know it was all worth it. Even the pain of my broken heart.

Every decision I made, every step I took, led me here. Led me to them.

To my girls.

To my happily ever after.

Epilogue

LAYLA

Now, June

“Yes, please,” I tell Ava, nodding. She’s holding a bowl of salad and a charcuterie board. “Thank you.”

She rolls her eyes as if me thanking her was overkill, and walks out of the kitchen. I know she’ll always help me with anything, and I often don’t even need to ask, but that doesn’t mean I take it for granted. I love my best friend, and I’m beyond grateful for everything she’s doing for me. She’s family.

I look around the place, racking my brain to see if I forgot anything. Plates—check. Cutlery—check. Glasses—check. Dishes—check. And oh, of course—wine. I grab two bottles from the kitchen counter and head out of the room. The juice for the kids and the whiskey for the guys should already be on the table.

When I step out of the house, to the little patio where Clay set up a table for our guests, the blasting sound of “Baby” by Justin Bieber meets me. I sigh, shaking my head and walking to thetable. Maya loves this song a little too much. If she keeps it up, by the end of the day, all our guests will hate it.

“Why did none of you ask the kids to lower the volume?” I ask the table.

Colt shrugs. “We tried.”

“And?” I set the wine bottles on the table.

“They said no,” Colt replies nonchalantly, taking a sip of his drink.

To my right, Drake sits with Angie. His hand is gently wrapped around her shoulder. She’s as stunning as ever in her white summer dress littered with little red flowers and her long brown hair spilling over her shoulders like a waterfall. Motherhood looks gorgeous on her. I know she’s been hesitant to be here while Noah and Harper are home with her mom, but from time to time, we all need a break from mom life, to enjoy ourselves in the company of our closest people. I’m glad she’s here. I love her just as much as I love my big brother.

Nevaeh is next to Angie. Her pink highlights shine brightly under the streaming sunlight. She’s in a pastel pink dress that perfectly matches Roman’s white tee, and she’s leaning back into his chest. His hand is splayed possessively over her chest.They are so happy together. I can’t believe that just a year ago, they accidentally got married in Vegas and thought that by the end of the hockey season they’d be divorced. They are a perfect match.

Dean Crawford is next to Roman, along with Dylan, who smiles radiantly at me. I still don’t know how it happened, but she’s my friend now. One who always knows about new trends, new movies to watch, new albums to listen to, and new books to read. That’s probably a given since she’s an influencer. Though books made her instantly connect with Ava. My best friend is still as in love with reading as she’s ever been.

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