Page 205 of Pucking Strong

Nat spins around, eyes wide with concern.

I jog up, smiling from ear to ear. “Sorry, Henrik was doing the press conference. I didn’t wanna miss it.”

Jayla’s expression is wary. “Everything good?”

I nod. God, I feel like I have a pinball loose in my chest. It’s pinging all around, making my heart flutter. And I can’t stop smiling.

Nat grins. “Ted, what are you into? What did you do?”

Before I can reply, the door at the end of the hall slams open, and Henrik comes striding out, still in his Rays warm-up kit. Which, you know, thank god for whoever was in charge of picking the five-inch inseam on those uniform shorts. His tree-trunk thigh muscles flex as he jogs down the hallway.

“Hey, Henrik,” Jayla calls with a wave.

“Can we still say, ‘good game’?” Nat mutters at me.

I groan, shrugging her hand off my shoulder.

“We promised the girls we’d go get ice cream,” says Jayla. “Hope you don’t mind.”

If Henrik hears her, he makes no sign of it. He only has eyes for me. His energy is volcanic as he sweeps down the hallway, determination thundering with every step. Once he’s close enough, he smiles. My god, he’s dazzling.

I hold out my hands to him. “Babe, that was amazing. I’m so proud of you—”

Henrik reels me in, kissing me breathless. Behind me, the nieces all squeak. His passion and excitement only fans mine. I’m gasping when he breaks the kiss too soon. Still smiling, he drops down to one knee.

“Henrik, what—”

“Marry me.”

Behind me, my sisters shriek, and the girls fall apart in a fit of swooning giggles. My brain does a backflip while my stupid, boyish heart starts doing cartwheels. “I—babe, we’re already married.”

“I don’t care.” His gaze is steadfast, the blue of his eyes deep and warm. “Marry me again. Marry me properly. With flower girls, and photographers, and vows in English.”

“And a kiss,” Karolina squeals, bouncing in the seat of her wheelchair.

“And a kiss,” he echoes.

I just shake my head. This is crazy. Too much is happening. There are too many unknowns. How can he think about us getting remarried while we’re dealing with his family, and Karro’s PT, and our work schedules, and this press-fueled nightmare with the case worker?

He searches my face, his brow furrowing slightly. “Why do you hesitate?”

I try to process all my thoughts and emotions to form one succinct answer. “Well … why now?”

Jayla steps in behind me, shaking my shoulders. “Are you crazy, Teddy? Just say yes!”

“Shh.” Natalie pulls her back. “I wanna hear his answer.”

Slowly, Henrik rises to his feet. His heated gaze dances over the letters of my name, stitched onto the left breast of my WAG jacket. His number is on both my arms and my back. Our names are combined across my shoulders: “TEDRIK.” Two halves of one whole.

“Why now?” I repeat.

He has to say it. I think I’ll die if he won’t.

Smiling, he cups my cheek. “Because I love you.”

I close my eyes, leaning into the press of his hand. Behind me, my sisters and nieces squeal again.

“Look at me,” he soothes, both hands now resting on my shoulders.

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