Page 135 of Check & Chase
“It’s Emma. Wondering where I am. We were supposed to meet for coffee.”
“Don’t tell her you’re with me.”
She gives me a withering look. “Obviously. I’m not an amateur.”
We head back to her car, the small velvet box burning a hole in my pocket.
“So when are you going to ask her?”
“During the road trip. We play in Boston next week, and she’s flying out to meet me. I thought after the game…”
“Outdoors, private but romantic.” Maya nods approvingly. “Not bad, Mitchell.”
When I finally get home, I find Emma in my closet, wearing one of my dress shirts, her legs bare and hair swept up in a messy knot. The sight of her so casually at home in my space makes my chest ache.
“There you are,” she greets, turning to face me. “I was beginning to think you’d forgotten our dinner plans.”
“Never,” I assure, crossing the room to kiss her. “Just had some errands to run.”
She hums against my lips, her arms sliding around my neck. “Mysterious errands that required you to silence your phone?”
“Very mysterious. Top secret hockey business.”
She pulls back slightly, studying my face. “You’re acting weird.”
“I’m acting normal,” I protest, which is a mistake because her eyes narrow further.
“No, definitely weird. What’s going on?”
I scramble for a plausible explanation that isn’t ‘I just bought you an engagement ring.’ “I’m just thinking about house hunting.”
It’s not entirely a lie. I have been considering it, especially as Emma spends more time here.
“House hunting?” she repeats, clearly not expecting this answer. “You’re looking to buy?”
“Maybe. This place is fine, but it’s not really mine, you know? I’m thinking somewhere a little further from downtown, more space…”
“That’s a big step. Putting down roots here.”
“Yeah. But I’m not going anywhere. The Bears are my team. Pinewood is my home now.”
What I don’t say is that she’s a big part of why.
“Would you help me look? You know the area better than I do.”
A slow smile spreads across her face. “You want me to help you find a house?”
“If you want to. You have good taste. Better than mine, anyway.”
“You’re right about that. But yes, I’ll help you house hunt. It could be fun.”
Relief washes through me. It’s a small step, but an important one.
“We can start looking when I get back from the road trip.”
“Speaking of which,” she continues, her fingers toying with the hair at the nape of my neck, “I booked my flight to Boston. I arrive Friday morning before your game that night.”
“Perfect.” I kiss her forehead, already imagining her face when I propose. “I can’t wait to show you around.”
