Page 90 of Back On Ice

“Hey, Abbs,” I answer. “What's up?”

“Hey, Soph. Just checking in and seeing how you guys are doing. Dad made one final statement at the station today to help close out the details of the case, and I went with him,” she says with pride. “We’re just leaving now.”

Carter gives me a questioning look as he pulls away from his mom.

“One second,” I tell her, then put the phone on mute. “It’s Abbie. She’s with her dad, who just made a final statement at the station.”

“I don’t know how I’ll ever be able to repay him if he had any part in putting Jeremy behind bars where he belongs.” Vivianne says to Carter, then her face lights up as an idea strikes her. “Oh! Do they want to come for dinner?”

Carter shrugs, motioning to me.

I unmute the phone. “Sorry, we’re just at Carter’s mom’s for dinner. She wants you to join us so she can thank your dad for all he’s done.”

“Hold on, let me check.” I hear shuffling on the other line before Abbie’s sounds again in my ear. “We would love that!” Abbie says excitedly. Her voice lowers conspiratorially. “Dad just said he’s going to change into something ‘more appropriate’ for dinner and he never does that. I think he’s excited.”

Not even a half hour later, the five of us sit around the dining room table, have a wonderful dinner together as Michael tells everyone how he’s been working with Detective Peterson for years. Dinner comes to a close on a light note, with laughter, easy conversation, and talk of baby names.

The way that Vivianne and Michael lean towards each other while talking, how she laughs at his jokes, and the stars in both of their eyes when they look at each other has me smiling.

“Am I imagining things?” I lean over and whisper to Abbie, who seems to have noticed the same thing I have.

“Definitely not,” Abbie rounds her eyes and shakes her head slightly. “I haven’t seen him like this in… ever.” By the look on her face, she’s overjoyed that he’s having this connection with Vivianne.

I smile, grasping Carter’s hand under the table. Maybe we aren’t the only two who are getting a second chance at love.

Chapter Thirty Seven

SOPHIE

“Cart, you missed the turn,”I tell him when he goes past the hotel. While dinner was amazing, it’s been a really long day and all I want to do now is snuggle up in bed. A detour was not in my plans.

“Nope,” he says, smirking at me. “I know exactly where we’re going.”

When I try to push for more information, he only makes a zipping motion across his lips. I recognize the area we’re in now, a new section of houses built in the last ten years.

“You may notice we’re still in the Ivy Glen school district,” he says lightly, glancing at me. “You also may notice we’re right in between my mom’s and your parent’s house.”

Now that he mentions it…

We pull up in front of a beautiful, white, two-story home with a wraparound porch, a trellis wrapped in ivy on the side, and sky blue shutters.

“Carter…” I ask slowly, looking at him. “Where are we?”

He only grins, and gets out of the car before opening my door and taking my hand.

He didn’t.

Did he?

“Carter…” I ask again, turning towards him when we reach the little stone walkway that leads to the porch. “Whose house is this?” My heart is pounding in my chest, and he shocks me by getting down on one knee.

“Sophie. I love you so much. You had every reason not to let me back in, but you did anyway. You gave me another chance, and I want to spend the rest of my life giving you everything my heart has to offer.” I gape. Is he…?

“Now,” he continues, fishing around his pocket. “I may not have a ring, but…” he pulls out a small keychain. “I have a key. Sophie Hartwell, will you make me the happiest man alive, and marry me?”

I can’t believe the one thing I’ve always wanted is right in front of me. Carter. The boy I fell in love with, and the man who made me love again. Both of them look back at me through the crystal blue eyes of the strong, loyal, protective man on his knees in front of me.

I let out a shocked laugh. “You never do things by halves, do you?” I sniff, and he smiles up at me, unshed tears in his eyes. “Of course. Of course I’ll marry you.”

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