Page 142 of A Bunny for the Bench Boss
Trying to shove thoughts of Jenner and his mystery wife from my mind, I let my hand slide up Maddox’s chest. The racing tempo beneath my palm caught me off guard.
“Why is your heart beating so fast?”
A soft smile tipped up on his lips. “It always speeds up when I have you in my arms.”
“Look at you, being all romantic,” I teased.
“How about this?” Before I could blink, he had me dipped backward to the cheer of the crowd before setting me upright.
My face flamed, and I chided, “Stop trying to steal the show.”
“You do that all on your own, love. Most beautiful woman here tonight.”
“Don’t let the groom hear you say that.”
His lips brushed against the shell of my ear. “I don’t care who hears me because it’s true.”
The song ended, and the microphone was tapped. “If I can have your attention,” the band’s lead singer spoke. “Would all the single ladies please come to the dance floor? The bride is about to toss the bouquet.”
There were squeals from various tables, and a rush of excited ladies stomped to the center of the polished hardwood surface. I grabbed Maddox’s hand to avoid the stampede, but my shoulder nearly popped out of the socket when I walked away and he remained rooted to the spot.
Confused, I glanced back at him. “Come on.”
“You should stay.”
I rolled my eyes. “I’m good. Let’s get a drink.”
A challenge glinted in his green eyes. “Scared you won’t win?”
“Maddox, I’ve already won. I don’t need to get in the middle of a catfight over a bunch of flowers that will be dead tomorrow. It’s a silly tradition.”
“Humor me?” He shrugged.
“Seriously?”
“It’ll be fun.” His lips brushed against my cheek as he walked past me.
“Annoying man,” I grumbled.
Dakota stood at the edge of the dance floor. “Everyone ready?” She swung the bouquet as she counted out, “One. Two. Three.”
I closed my eyes, praying I wouldn’t end up trampled beneath a mass of fighting women.
“Bristol.” Dakota’s soft voice had my eyelids lifting to find her standing directly before me, bouquet still in hand.
“What are you doing?”
“These are for you.” She thrust the flowers into my hands.
Tears glistened in her blue eyes as she whispered, “I’m so happy for you.” Her hands gripped my shoulders, spinning me around to find Maddox down on one knee.
The flowers dropped to the ground as my hands flew to my face. This wasn’t really happening, was it?
Maddox inhaled deeply before he spoke. “Bristol, you walked into my life at a time when I was lost. But you called to me like a beacon, grounding me when my world was spinning out of control. It was like God saw me struggling and sent the perfect person at the perfect time to make everything okay, to give me a new purpose. Together, we’ve learned that true partnership means leaning on each other. Even on the worst of days, I know you’re there to support me. And I can count on you to challenge me when I can’t see past my own nose to view the bigger picture. You bring out the best in me, and I want to experience everything this life has to offer with you by my side. The good and the bad. The two of us together, always.”
Reaching into his pocket, he produced a black velvet box, cracking it open to reveal a stunning princess-cut solitaire diamond on a platinum band. My right hand slid down to cover my heart while the left dropped to my side.
“Bristol Cooper, I love you more than I ever thought it possible to love another human being.” His green eyes grew glassy. “I love you even more than hockey.”
A sob burst from my throat as chuckles sounded around us.
“So, here I am, on my knees, begging you to marry me because I can’t imagine a world without you as my wife.” He brought his lips inward to moisten them before asking the question little girls dreamed of hearing their entire lives. “Will you marry me?”
Emotion clogged my throat, and all I could do was nod. He was off his feet in a flash, holding me tight as he whispered over and over how much he loved me.
Life was crazy with its twists and turns. Who knew that running away with a broken heart would send me right into the arms of the man who was always meant to be mine—the man who put me back together and made me see my true value.
Maddox treasured me in a way I never could’ve imagined. Terrible singing and all.
God bless meddling friends.
