Page 41 of Rafferty

I can’t agree with her more. I love surprises.

Lilly, clasping her hands, adds, “She started crying, said yes before he even asked. It was so beautiful, so heartfelt. Everyone just erupted into cheers.”

Rafferty nods appreciatively, a broad smile spreading across his face. “That’s Coach for you. Always knows how to make a moment count.”

We join the line of well-wishers and as we wait, Rafferty tells me more about Coach joining the team last year. When it’s our turn, Rafferty steps forward with confidence, pulling me slightly closer by the hand.

“Coach, Ava, congratulations!” he says, loud and clear over the murmurs of the room. Rafferty gives his coach and Ava each a hug and then turns to me. “I want to introduce you to my girlfriend, Tempe.”

I smile, hold out my hand for both to shake. “Congratulations, and it’s so nice to meet you.”

Coach West looks somewhat surprised but recovers with a gracious nod toward Rafferty. “Seems like I have some congratulations of my own to extend.”

“I’m the lucky one,” Rafferty says.

We chat a few more minutes and then after grabbing another round of drinks, we make our way back to Rafferty’s crew in the other room.

For the next half hour, we stand in our tight group, chatting about hockey and life. Willa, Mazzy and I end up together, discussing the holidays and making plans to get together. I ask if we can invite Farren and there is no hesitation in bringing her into our newly formed friend group.

I’m introduced to other members of the team as well as some of the people who work for the organization, but my head swims with it all and I can hardly remember any of them. They are all gracious though, and I can see why Rafferty has told me on more than one occasion that the Titans are like family.

“If we can have everyone gather in the front hall,” a man’s deep voice booms, but when I crane my neck, I can’t see who is making the announcement.

Rafferty takes my hand and we shuffle along with the crowd, people pouring in from various rooms into the massive foyer with the grand staircase. Standing up about ten steps is Brienne Norcross, and beside her, her husband, Drake McGinn. On the step below them are three adorable little boys I assume belong to him.

Brienne’s pale blond hair is twisted behind her neck and she’s wearing a stunning sheath gown in bloodred with massive rubies dripping from her ears. She exudes wealth and sophistication, yet she’s so adorably human when she puts her fingers in her mouth to issue a shrill whistle that immediately stops the chatter and commands silence. Drake smirks beside her, his hand coming around her waist. He pulls her to his side, whispers something in her ear that causes her to blush.

I have to admit, it’s sexy and romantic all at once. Drake seems the antithesis to Brienne in that he’s huge, tattooed, muscled, with long hair and a beard. I’d have never matched them together, but seeing the way they look at each other with such intense focus, I don’t see how they could ever be matched with anyone else.

Brienne turns back to the crowd standing shoulder to shoulder, all peering up at her. She grins, holds out her arms, and says loud enough to carry through the house, “Welcome and Merry Christmas!”

Everyone claps and cheers, and she motions with her hands to pipe down.

“My Titans friends,” Brienne begins, commanding attention, “Drake and I are thrilled to host you tonight. It’s a chance to unwind and celebrate the incredible hard work and spirit you all bring to this team. So far, the season has tested us, but it’s also shown us what we’re capable of when we come together. Tonight, let’s remember to enjoy the moment and one another’s company. We are family, and it’s as a family that we’ll continue to dominate on the ice.”

“And the race track,” someone calls out from behind us.

Brienne laughs, nodding. “Thank you, Gage.” I glance back and locate Gage Heyward, one of the assistant coaches, grinning at Brienne. “Yes, our city’s new race team that I purchased will debut on March 2 in Bahrain. But rest assured, my focus right now is on this season. We’re currently at the top of our division and one spot away from the top of the conference. We have put together the best team this league has ever seen, and I’m confident we’re going to take this all the way.”

The roar of approval startles me and Rafferty laughs when I jump.

Brienne waits for quiet once more, which happens without the need to whistle. Her words are simple. “Eat well. Enjoy each other’s company tonight. And may all your holiday wishes come true. Thank you for coming.”

More applause and then people disperse back to various rooms. Rafferty leans down, his lips near my ear. “We can leave whenever you want. I know you want to spend time tonight with your family.”

I’m so touched by his offer. I hadn’t said anything to him, but it was a bit of a dilemma for me to leave Mom and Cooper on Christmas Eve, even though they both insisted I come to this party—Mom because she’s a romantic, and Cooper because he thinks it’s the coolest thing ever his sister is dating a hockey star.

Still, I don’t want to take Rafferty away from this frivolity with his team. He must sense my hesitation because he makes a command decision.

“Come on,” he says, entwining his fingers with mine. “Let’s go thank Brienne for a great party and bug out.”

“But I… I…,” I say. He looks at me curiously. “I mean, yes… I’d like to spend time with my family tonight, but I also don’t want to stop spending time with you.”

Rafferty’s smile melts my heart. His thumb grazes the back of my hand. “That’s an easy fix. Invite me to hang out at your house for a while tonight. We can stop at the grocery store on the way home and get stuff to make homemade hot chocolate. Maybe watch a Christmas movie with your mom and Cooper?”

Everything up until now has seemed dreamlike with Rafferty, but it’s at this moment I realize, he’s truly the man of my dreams. Not because he’s famous, rich or lusted after by women, but because he’s a good man.

A truly good man.

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