Page 141 of Any Second Now
“Oops.” She flips it around.
My last name is in yellow above the number 8, as always. But in between, there is a small set of words cross-stitched on. I squint my eyes and lean forward, reaching out to hold the sides.
“More than just a player?” I say.
“Yeah. Get it? Like works for you as a hockey player and also, you know…”
I look up and Raleigh’s cheeks are bright pink.
“I get it.” My heart squeezes.
“I realize I probably destroyed a $100 jersey. Are you mad?”
“Um, it’s closer to $400, I believe.”
She gasps. “Oh no.”
“Raleigh. I love it. I love you.”
“Really? Thank god. I honestly didn’t think you’d ever see it.”
“Hey.” I grab the jersey and throw it over my shoulder, then pull her close to me again. I always want her close to me. “Ask me that dating question again.”
I feel so damn full right now. Full of her. Full of love. Happiness. Everything.
“Dating question?” Her brow furrows.
“Yeah. Remember? You said you always want to know what people’s plans are for five years from now.”
“Oh.” She moans. “It’s the worst question, I know?—”
“I know where I see myself in five years.” All at once my future plan is perfectly clear in my head.
Raleigh presses her lips together. “Okay. Go ahead.”
“I see myself with you. Maybe we’ll have a house somewhere with a whole backyard of chickens.” I love the smile on her face. “Or maybe we’ll be traveling the country in a very much upgraded Pink Palace.”
“I’m never driving it.”
“Done.” I squeeze her sides. “Maybe we’ll be married with a couple of kids.”
Her eyes widen.
“We can talk about that,” I say quickly, not wanting to freak her out. I’d have kids with her or not, whatever she wants. “As long as I’m with you. That’s what I see most clearly five years from now.”
“That’s the perfect answer,” she says with a sigh and kisses me again. And again. Her mouth opens for me and I swipe my tongue in until her breathing speeds up. Raleigh pulls back and nods to the Pink Palace with heat in her eyes. “Do you want to?—”
“God, I’ve missed you.” I bend down and sweep her up and into my arms, like a groom carrying his bride. She giggles and clings to my neck.
“You are ridiculous.”
“Shut up, coach,” I growl. We crash into the Pink Palace and I kick the door shut behind us.
CHAPTER 31
Home Is
RALEIGH
