Page 13 of Love in the Net
I stay beside Chase, handing out dog treats and flyers and chatting with what I hope will be customers. People come and go, some staying longer than others, as the lines continue to build up in front of the hockey players.
“Everyone!” Liam’s voice booms through the arena, amplified by the microphone he’s somehow acquired. The chatter quiets, and all eyes turn to him. Even the dogs seem to understand they need to settle down.
He stands tall in his goalie gear, looking every bit the commanding presence he is on the ice, but there’s something softer in his expression as he looks at me.
“I just wanted to thank you all for coming out tonight. This event means a lot to me, and I know it means even more to Claire.” His eyes lock onto mine, and a blush rises to my cheeks as the crowd turns to look at me. “She’s the heart behind Pawsitively Delicious, and she puts so much love and careinto everything she does—not just for her bakery, but for this community.”
My throat tightens, and I press a hand to my chest, overwhelmed by the sincerity in his voice.
Liam takes a deep breath, his gaze unwavering. “Claire, you’ve reminded me that there’s more to life than hockey, more to life than the walls I’ve built around myself, more than trying to keep every puck out of the net and everyone out of my heart. You’ve shown me what it means to care, to hope, and to love again.”
The rink erupts into applause, but all I can focus on is Liam—the raw vulnerability in his eyes, the way his words wrap around my heart and squeeze tight.
“You’re everything I didn’t know I was missing,” he says, and he hands the mic to Jack.
I step toward him as he does me. “I feel the same,” I choke out when I reach him, and then I kiss him, right there in front of everyone. It’s deep and certain and leaves no room for doubt. The cheers fade into the background as he pulls me closer, his lips soft but insistent against mine.
Because it’s amazing kissing the man you love.
epilogue
Bear lets out a low,contented woof as he sprawls across the rug, his massive paws twitching in a dream. Scout, ever the mischief-maker, chews on one of Waffles’ squeaky toys, eliciting a half-hearted growl from my golden boy. I laugh from where I’m perched on Liam’s ridiculously comfortable leather couch, the TV glowing with tonight’s Buffaloes game.
“Did you see that save, Bear?” I point at the screen as Liam dives across the goal, blocking a slapshot with the precision of an artist. “Your dad’s a wall, I tell you. The Wall.”
Bear snores in response, and I roll my eyes fondly. “You’re no fun.” I glance at Scout, who’s now eyeing the popcorn bowl on the coffee table. “Don’t even think about it, Mister.”
Scout tilts his head, feigning innocence, and I shake mine as Waffles steals the squeaky toy. These three have become my constant companions during Liam’s road trips. His house, once a place I’d only visited, now feels like home. Between the dogs, the cozy evenings spent watching hockey, and the fact that Liam’s only a phone call away, it’s a seamless blend of our lives.
Hours later, the front door creaks open, and I spring to my feet, heart racing. Liam steps inside, his duffel bag slung overone shoulder, his hair slightly damp from a post-game shower. He looks tired, but the moment his eyes land on me, a slow, easy smile spreads across his face.
“Hey, sweetheart,” he says, dropping his bag and crossing the room in a few long strides. He wraps me in a bear hug, lifting me off my feet and spinning me around as I squeal and laugh. Scout barks excitedly, and Waffles wags his tail so hard I’m surprised it doesn’t fly off.
“You were amazing tonight,” I say, my voice muffled against his chest.
“Missed you.” He presses a kiss to my temple and looks around the toy-filled living room. “And I see you’ve been spoiling my boys.”
“Always.” I pull back to look at him. “They’re easier to please than you.”
He laughs, the sound rumbling through my chest, and leans down to kiss me. It’s soft and slow, a promise that even after six months together, he’s not letting me go.
“So,” he says, pulling back and glancing at the kitchen table, where I’ve laid out plans for our next big project. “Are we really doing this?”
“Absolutely,” I say with a grin. “Dog-friendly hockey and pupcakes? It’s going to be legendary.”
“I like the sound of that.” He squeezes my hand, and Bear lets out another snore, as if approving the idea in his sleep.
“Speaking of legendary, we still need a family photo,” I say, grabbing my phone.
Liam groans. “You do realize getting three dogs to sit still is impossible, right?”
“Challenge accepted,” I say, setting up the phone on a tripod. “Get your dogs over here, buddy.”
He whistles, and that gets Bear to get up and Scout to come running.
“Everyone, sit.” I hold up my fist, and all three dogs sit. “Now us.”
Liam kneels next to Bear and puts his arm around Scout in a near headlock. I join him, and chaos ensues. Waffles knocks over the tripod, Scout chases Bear, and Liam ends up flat on the rug, laughing so hard he can barely breathe. I collapse beside him, tears streaming down my face as I clutch my stomach.
“Perfect,” I manage between giggles. “Absolutely perfect.”
Liam rolls toward me, something pinched in his fingers. Something glinting. “Will you marry me?”
I suck in a breath as I drink in the diamond. My eyes switch to look past it to Liam’s hopeful, happy face. “Yes,” I say. “Yes, yes, yes! I can’t wait to marry you.”
“I can’t wait until the season’s over and I can be with you full-time.” He slips the ring on my finger and kisses me—and of course, that makes the dogs want to get in on that action, and Waffles licks my face.
I laugh and push him away, but I never want to be too far from Liam, so I curl into his chest and get close to his heart—right where I want to stay.
