Page 48 of The Single Dads Club
People are watching us. People in the stands, on the sidelines, Alexei’s teammates, his sisters ...
Still on one knee, he gives a nod to his oldest sister, Ana, who walks over and hands him something small. It takes me a minute to realize it’s a ring, a beautiful diamond ring, and I’ve never seen a ring this pretty in my entire life. Alexei holds it up and meets my eyes.
I’m not sure if I expected him to pull the ring out of his tight uniform pants, but I’m sure those don’t even have pockets. And dear God, you don’t bring a ring like this onto a football field. It’s massive. At least three carats, and so sparkly and gorgeous. My heart is beating way too fast, and I suck in a big gulp of air.
“What do you say, baby? Will you marry me?”
The loving look in his eyes as he watches me makes my knees weak. “Yes!” I shout, and he breaks into a huge grin.
Alexei slides the ring onto my shaking finger, and I try desperately to wipe away the tears with my free hand.
“This is too much,” I say, admiring the way the bright lights catch the ring and make it shimmer.
He presses a kiss to my knuckles and then rises to his feet. “I wanted you to have the best.”
“Bossy,” I say, bringing my mouth to his.
The entire stadium erupts into cheers, almost even louder than when the team scored the winning touchdown. My heart feels so full and happy, it could burst. Alexei sweeps me up into his arms and kisses me—really kisses me, devouring my mouth like no one is watching—and I melt into him. The cheers grow even louder, and we finally break apart, laughing.
“You need a shower,” I say, patting his butt.
“Come with me.” His eyes are mischievous and bright.
I chuckle. “I don’t think so.”
“Fine. Wait for me?” he asks.
“Always.”
He presses one last quick kiss to my lips before hugging each of his sisters. I watch him walk away toward the locker room with some of his teammates, who are patting him on the back and congratulating him. I can’t help but think about his mother, who likely just watched the entire proposal on TV.
His sisters pull me into a group hug, and Valerie, the youngest, is crying she’s so happy. It’s beyond sweet. I haven’t felt part of a family in so long that tears spring to my own eyes again.
I can’t even imagine what my life would be like right now if Alexei hadn’t stopped that night on the street—if he hadn’t intervened with that guy outside the club. I shudder when I picture it.
“Alexei! Wait!” I call, jogging over to where he stands at the edge of the field before he heads to the locker room.
He turns and sees the emotion written all over my face. I run straight into his arms and plaster my face against his neck. He lifts me and I wrap my legs around him, clinging to his muscular frame like he’s my safety, my security, because he really is.
“Thank you. I love you so much.”
He pulls back and cups my face with one hand. “I love you too. You and Ella. You’re mine now, okay?”
“Da.” I nod.
He breaks into deep laughter, chuckling at my use of Russian. “You’re the best. See you in a minute, okay? I promise I won’t smell so bad when I come back out.”
“You know I don’t mind your smell, but yes, I’ll be waiting with your sisters.”
“They’re your sisters now too.”
A fresh wave of emotion hits, and my throat feels tight. “See you in a minute.”
I rejoin his sisters—my sisters—in the suite, where they promptly all lose their minds over how stunning my ring is. I have never felt happier or more loved in my entire life, and I never want this feeling to end.
Epilogue
Alexei
