Page 49 of Love in Overtime

“I just give you a little nudge …”

“I need it,” he insists. “I need you … in my life. As my publicist …”

There it is. This is fine?—

“And as my girlfriend.”

What?Without warning I jump into his lap and press my lips against his. He follows my lead, our kiss growing more urgent. His hands move from my face, through my hair, and then tighten around my waist. When our lips slow, he touches his forehead to mine.

“I know we still need to figure out how to balance everything, but I …” He pauses, and a worried look washes across his face.

“What’s wrong?”

He draws in a deep breath. “I’m not sure how to do this, so I’m just going to come out and say it … I’m in love with you, Blair. I know it’s only been six weeks and I’m taking a chance by telling you this, but I can’t hold it in…”

Those are words I didn’t expect to hear him say, at least not yet. I was fully prepared for Cooper to take his time expressing his deepest feelings, and I was going to be patient with him.

“All this being said, I understand that this could be a huge risk for you professionally. I don’t want to put you in a difficult position so if it’s too much I’ll understand. This is unchartered territory I know nothing about.”

“I love you too, Cooper,” I blurt out.

The corners of his mouth curl up into the biggest smile I’ve ever seen on his face. While I hope the world will eventually see this wonderful, vulnerable side of Cooper, I also love that he reserves it especially for me.

“I can’t believe I’ve fallen in love in Maple Falls,” he exclaims. “I wonder what the press will say about it.”

I gasp loudly. “You called itMapleFalls. You finally got the town’s name right. Well done.”

“This place has grown on me,” he admits. “Maybe I’ll come back someday.”

“Yes,” I squeal. “I’ll put it on the itinerary.”

He scowls.

“Sorry, but as your publicist I need to continue to manage your schedule.”

“Fine. Just make sure you leave me time to be with my girlfriend.”

I flash him a wicked smile. “Oh, don’t worry. I’ve got that covered.”

Cooper lifts my chin and gently kisses me again, sending tingles through my body.Is this real life?I have a job I love and a man who told me I changed his life. It doesn’t get much better than this.

CHAPTER 15

COOPER

Blair loves me.

I knew she had some feelings but hearing her say those words was one of the best moments of my life. Some people would probably call it a core memory.

It’s five in the morning, and I’ve barely slept. How can I sleep after finding out a woman like Blair wants to be with me? I’m Cooper Montgomery, the grumpy, difficult hockey player who rarely smiles. I have no idea how I got so lucky to have her in my life, but there’s no way I’m messing this up.

We’re leaving Maple Falls later today and going home—me to Tennessee and Blair to Texas.

Thankfully I need to report to practice with the Wolves tomorrow morning, so I won’t have a lot of time to think about how much I’ll miss Blair. Right now I feel very content knowing she’s just in the next room over.

I finally give up on sleep and decide to head to the rink to get in a workout. It’s early, so I’m sure most of the town is still asleep after the wild night celebrating the Ice Breakers’ big win.

“Good morning, Cooper,” Ms. Hale calls as I walk through the lobby. She’s wearing a shirt that says Ice Breakers #1Fan.

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