Page 111 of A Whole New Trick

He supports my dreams and encourages me to take risks. He believes I can create something great that supports female athletes’ nutrition and non-athletes as well. He listens to me passionately discuss all I hope to accomplish with enthusiasm.

He’s incredible.

And he’s mine.

“I think I can guess what you’re thinking about.”

I turn and see Carlee grinning at me knowingly. My parents and Dane’s parents have moved into the kitchenette in the suite, enjoying a pre-game snack.

I smile. “Oh yeah? And what’s that?”

“You’re happy.” My best friend’s eyes fill with warmth. “And you’re nervous about Dane.”

I chuckle softly. “You nailed it.”

Carlee wraps her arm around my shoulder and squeezes. “Dane is tough and smart. He’s going to be fine.”

“He better be. I won’t ever let him play again if he gets hurt.”

Carlee laughs. “It’s fun seeing this side of you.”

“What side of me?”

“The soft side.” She smiles. “The lovey-dovey side.”

I snort. “Lovey-dovey?”

“Don’t even try to deny it.”

I look out at the ice and though Dane is so far away, I swear he’s looking up at where I stand at the suite’s railing. My suspicions are confirmed when he lifts a gloved hand and waves.

People in the rows between us look back to see who he’s looking at, but I ignore them and lift a hand and wave back, wearing a stupidly wide smile.

Dane’s smile matches mine. Then, he blows me a dramatic kiss, causing excited chatter to spread through the watching fans.

I chuckle and shake my head.

Dane continues to stare at me. He does the dramatic air kiss again, flinging his arm wide.

Knowing he won’t stop until I do what he wants, I kiss my fingers and make a show of blowing it towards him.

Dane clutches his chest and pretends to stumble back, earning awws and laughs from the watching crowd.

Cam skates up to him from the net and pretends to smack the back of his head, earning another round of laughter. Dane finally stops his antics and resumes his warm-up, but not before sending one last loaded look my way.

The way this man pursues me is beyond anything I ever could have imagined, and it never fails to send butterflies fluttering in my stomach.

“See what I mean?” Carlee laughs. “Lovey-dovey.”

“Yeah,” I sigh happily, watching the man who’s quickly become one of the most important people in my life prepare to play in the biggest game of his. “I guess I am.”

And I wouldn’t have it any other way.

EPILOGUE

Eight MonthsLater

“Hello,welcome to Caldwell Nutrition, how can I help you today?” I hear my front desk attendant call out from where I’m unpacking office supplies in the back storage room

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