Page 89 of Stick Play

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Me: Hey where is everyone?

* * *

Dad: I’m at Gina’s. I picked Zoe up after school. Maria and Elena are out with the boys but are coming back with pizza. The real kind. Join us.

* * *

Dammit, I’m not going to go over there without hearing from Gina. Does she even want to see me? I mean, she’s back and she never even bothered to message me. Just then my phone pings again and my heart jumps when I read the message from Gina.

* * *

Gina: Can you meet me in the café?

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Me: Be right there.

* * *

I practically run to my vehicle, back out of the driveway and head straight to the Nook. After parking, I jog down the sidewalk to the café and find the closed sign on the door. I try the knob and it opens.

“Gina,” I call out.

“In the kitchen.”

I practically run to the kitchen and when I enter, and find her leaning against the counter an uneasy, almost nervous look on her face, my protective instincts kick into high gear.

I take a step toward her. “Are you okay?”

She picks her phone up off the counter, and runs her finger over the screen. “I thought the world should know what you’re really like?” She holds her phone out to me, and I recognize one of the social media apps, the one that likes to bash me the most. I shake my head, not wanting to read it.

“Gina, what’s going on? Why did you ask me to meet you here?” I pause and glance around her kitchen.

“I wanted to do this here, in the café, where we first…” Her cheeks turn pink. “This is where things started heating up between us, when you…you know, showed up with your tools. One in particular.”

I get that she’s being cute and cheeky but I’m a hot mess here. “Can you please tell me what’s going on?”

She nods. “I need you to read this.” She continues to hold her phone out and I reluctantly take it and see that it’s her profile. She posted on social media? I really don’t know what the hell is going on here. I frown, and make a move to step back when she touches my arm. “Please, just read it.” As she gazes at me with warmth and a measure of worry, I nod and glance at the screen.

If you want dirt on Ash, don’t read this. But if you want to know who he really is, then continue. Ash Wheeler is the kindest, sweetest man on the planet. I never liked to ask for help and with Ash, I didn’t need to. He stepped up when I was shorthanded at the café, and when I needed help with childcare, he was right there.

“What is this, Gina?” I lift my head and find her watching me carefully. Jesus, she’s a private person and putting all her personal business on social media couldn’t have been easy for her.

“Keep going,” she whispers, so I look back down.

Ash is always there for everyone he cares about, even when some are stubborn about that. He has treated my daughter and me with love and care and the utmost respect. He’s a great man who protects, nurtures, and loves with his entire heart. He’s a jack of all trades, a man of many talents, and not only is he an amazing hockey player, he’s an amazing teammate, son, and manny and soon, I hope I can add father and husband to this list.”

My heart jumps into my throat. “Gina…” I lift my head and she has an open ring box in her hand, with a gold band in it. “What…”

“My grandparents left me their rings. They came with very specific instructions.” I angle my head as my throat tightens and tears blur my vision. “I am only allowed to put this ring on a man who is honest, truthful, kind, and giving, and is deserving of all the love in the world. You are that man, Ash.” She sniffs, as tears fill her eyes. “I know this is unconventional, but nothing about us, or what we’ve been doing qualifies as conventional, anyway, so here goes. Ash, will you marry me?”

I stand there for one second, completely stunned as her words bounce around in my brain. Is this really happening? Jesus, it is, and I’m the luckiest fucking man in the world. As she stares up at me, nibbling her bottom lip with uncertainty, like maybe this isn’t what I want, I pull her to me, and press my lips to hers, kissing the hell out of her as her arms tighten around my back.

“Yes, Gina. Fuck, yes. I will marry you.” She’s crying as I inch back and I brush the back of my palm over her cheek. “I love you so much.” I exhale. “I was so scared, Gina. I didn’t know what was going on. I never thought you believed the lies written about me…then after your run-in with Theo, and our conversation, you left for California, and didn’t want me to call.”

“I’m sorry, Ash. I didn’t mean to be all cloak and dagger. I’m just not good with secrets—heck, I told the girls about us when I wasn’t supposed to—and I wanted to get these rings and get back to you as quickly as I could. I figured if we talked, I’d spill the beans and tell you exactly what I was up to. I also…” She nibbles her lips again. “I wasn’t sure if this was what you wanted, so I was a little terrified.”

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