Page 45 of Pucks, Lies, and Sticktape

“I’m never leaving.”

A flicker of relief crossed his face, followed by something deeper, something almost reverent.

“Good.”

And instead of pulling away, instead of being responsible, instead of doing the logical thing, he kissed her again—like he couldn’t help himself; like he needed to show her just how much he cared. He might not have said the words yet, but she could feel it in the way he touched her, in the way he held her, in the way his lips moved against hers with aching tenderness.

Matthieu might just be falling for her, too. And weren’t angels supposed to bring miracles?

Maybe this was hers.

Maybe there is no ‘maybe’ about it,she thought, melting into his kiss and sighed with happiness as he smiled against her lips, kissing her once more.

Matthieu is my miracle.

9

MATTHIEU

Matthieu’s pulsepounded in his ears as he stared out the small oval window, watching the dark, endless sky shift and swirl outside.Keep calm… keep it together.But it was easier said than done. His stomach lurched as the plane jolted, the turbulence rattling through the cabin like an unwelcome omen.

There was a lot of turbulence.

He gripped the armrests tightly, his knuckles going white. Was it just him, or was the air thinner in here? He forced a slow breath through his nose, but it did nothing to ease the knot of anxiety tightening in his chest. It wasn’t the flight itself—he’d been on countless planes and traveled across the country for games without batting an eye. No, this wasn’t about flying. This was abouther.

Jeannie sat beside him, her presence so close yet somehow overwhelming. His bride-to-be… secretly. No one but Salas and Lafreniére knew he wasn’t married to Jeannie, though some might have guessed.

His whole future was wrapped up in the woman sitting inches away, blissfully unaware of the chaotic storm raging inside his head. This was supposed to be the most important tripof his life, the final step before everything changed forever. He had planned every single detail meticulously?—

I got the room.

I got the tickets.

The license, the photographer, the cake…

The rings!

His heart nearly stopped.

He slapped a hand to his chest, feeling the reassuring weight of the small velvet box tucked inside his jacket. A sharp breath of relief escaped him, but when he lifted his eyes, he found Salas watching him with an amused smirk.

The guy didn’t even have to say anything. His dark eyes were enough—Chill out, man.

Matthieu wanted to.

He really did. But another pocket of turbulence hit, and his stomach twisted violently.Oh gosh, I’m gonna be sick.He swallowed hard, clenching his jaw as he tried to keep his expression neutral. Across the aisle, next to Salas, his wife Jamie slept peacefully, little Zach curled up on her like a baby koala, oblivious to the bouncing plane.

How was everyone so darn calm?

Another jolt.

His grip tightened.

His lungs forgot how to work.

"Dude." Salas’ voice cut through his downward spiral. “Knock it off. You’re freaking me out, and my family is on board, too. I’m telling you now if you make my son cry—you’ll need wires to hold your jaw shut.”

Matthieu barely registered the words before he heard Jeannie inhale sharply beside him as if startled by the blunt warning. He turned, catching the flicker of surprise in her eyes, and his breath hitched. She was watching him now—reallywatching him. Did she see the nervous wreck he was beneath the calm façade?

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