Page 115 of Icy Pucking Play

I grin, pulling her in for one more passionate kiss before we unlock the door and slip out of the changing room. As we make our way back to the golf cart, I can't help but feel a surge of excitement. The thrill of our secret encounter, the lingeringheat between us, it all adds to the intoxicating mix of emotions coursing through me.

We climb into the cart, and I start it up, deliberately taking a winding path back to the course. Sophie's hand rests on my thigh, her fingers tracing lazy patterns that send shivers up my spine.

"You know," she says, her voice low and teasing, "we still haven't christened this golf cart."

I chuckle, shaking my head. "You're insatiable, you know that?"

She leans in close, her breath tickling my ear. "Only for you, baby."

She lifts her head to look at me, her eyes shining with happiness. "I love you, Evan."

"I love you too, Sophie." I kiss her softly, feeling a contentment I've never known before. "Always."

My heart is full, because I know that this is just the beginning. The beginning of us, of our love, of a future that's bright and full of promise.

Chapter 29

Sophie

Epilogue

ONE MONTH LATER

"For someone who claims to hate scary movies, you're awfully invested in this one," I tell Evan, who's currently gripping my hand like it might save him from the demon on the screen.

"I'm not invested. I'm concerned about the poor life choices these characters keep making."

"Uh-huh." I reach for the popcorn with my free hand. "That's why you jumped when the door slammed."

"I did not jump."

"You practically landed in my lap."

"That was...tactical positioning."

"Sure it was, Ice Man." I pat his knee. "Just like how you 'tactically' suggested we watch something else after Natalia went to bed."

We're curled up on his couch—our couch now, really, given how much time I spend here—watching another of my "questionable" horror movie choices. Natalia went to bed an hour ago, but not before making us promise to save her some ice cream and help with her science project tomorrow.

"Speaking of tactical," Evan says as another character makes the brilliant decision to investigate a strange noise alone, "your stuff is taking over my house."

"Our house," I correct automatically, then freeze. "I mean…"

"No, you're right." He pulls me closer. "Our house. Has been for a while now." As the movie credits roll, Evan turns to me, his eyes filled with a heat that sends a shiver down my spine. "You know, we could do this every night," he says, his voice a low rumble that promises so much more than just movie nights.

I laugh. “What? Watch scary movies and eat ice cream?"

He doesn't laugh with me. Instead, he takes my hand, his thumb tracing circles on my palm. "No, Sophie. I mean we could make this…I mean, us…a permanent thing.”

My laughter fades as I realize he's serious. "Evan...are you asking me to move in with you?"

He nods, his eyes never leaving mine. "I want you here, Sophie. Every night. Every morning. I want to wake up with you and go to sleep with you. I want to build a life with you."

Tears well up in my eyes, but they're happy tears. "Yes," I whisper. "Yes, I want that too."

Evan's face breaks into a wide grin, and he pulls me into a tight embrace. "You've just made me the happiest man alive," he murmurs into my hair.

I pull back slightly, looking into his eyes. "And you've made me the happiest woman."

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