Page 156 of Behind the Net

Jamie and I look at each other, and we’re wearing matching ear-to-ear smiles. He mouths something to me.

Songbird.

“Please give it up for Pippa Hartley,” the announcer says, and I wave at the crowd before walking to the entrance, off the ice. “Pippa, if you could just stay right there a moment.”

My brows snap together in confusion, but I stop walking. At the entrance, the coordinator is smiling at me, holding up a hand, mouthingstay there.

The arena hums and I look around, confused.

“Pippa.”

Jamie’s at my side, no longer wearing his helmet or the goalie pads on his legs, and I blink up at him. In his skates, he towers more than normal.

“What’s going on?” I ask, pulse stumbling. Everyone in the arena is watching, murmuring.

His Adam’s apple bobs as he swallows, and his jaw ticks again. He’s been acting weird all day. Nervous, a little jumpy. I scared the daylights out of him earlier when I walked into the bedroom too quietly.

He takes my hands. The arena lighting makes him look even more handsome, with his sharp jaw, thick lashes, and strong nose.

“First,” he says, low enough so only we can hear, “you were the girl I had a crush on in high school. The girl who didn’t see how pretty, talented, special, and interesting she was.” His throat works. What the actual hell is happening right now? “And then you were my assistant, the distracting woman who demanded her job back and called me a dickhead.”

A laugh bursts out of me, and Jamie’s eyes dance.

“I don’t think I used the worddickhead,” I whisper.

Seriously, what is he doing? The entire arena is watching.

“You did,” he says. “You definitely did. And now you’re my girlfriend.” My eyes are locked on his and I can’t look away. “But I want you to be my wife, and I want to be your husband. I want us to be a family and live long, happy lives together.”

Understanding rushes at me like a freight train, and Jamie drops to his knee to tie his skate—

He’s not tying his skate. My heart pounds. He’s looking up at me, holding a small, black velvet box. It fits right in his big palm, and there’s something very sparkly inside. His free hand slips into mine, and he gives me a warm, reassuring squeeze.

I can already hear the song I’m going to write about this moment.

A rush of noise, cheering, whooping, applause swells around us, and my gaze snaps back to Jamie’s. It quiets down as the arena waits.

My heart is in my throat, and my eyes are welling up. “I want that, too. All those things.”

“I know we’re young.” His eyes search mine. “And that we haven’t even been together a year.” The corner of his mouth pulls up. “I don’t care, though. I love you, songbird. There’s no doubt in my mind that you’re the one for me.”

I can’t even speak. I’m just smiling at him, blinking, while my pulse gallops. This doesn’t feel real. This feels like the best dream I could ever imagine. I’m so glad he isn’t mic’d for this. Even though everyone is watching, it feels like this moment is just for us.

“I think we should try something new,” he says, mouth twitching. His eyes are the brightest green I’ve ever seen. His expression is so soft, so sweet, so loving. “We should try being married.” His expression breaks and he huffs with amusement. “You should see your face.”

“Uh.” I’m laughing. “I’m busy looking at something else.” I can’t get a full breath as I meet his eyes. I think I’m crying. I’m not sure. “I love you, too.” It flies out of my mouth. Telling Jamie I love him is like breathing, it’s so effortless and true. A tear spills over, and his hand lifts to wipe it away. “I want to marry you.”

Jamie’s chest swells and his expression melts into something gorgeous. So proud and happy and at ease. “I was hoping you’d say that.”

He stands, and his mouth finds mine immediately. Our kiss is soft, intimate, and loving. Around us, the crowd is screaming, cheering, hollering, stamping their feet, rattling the glass, whistling.

I don’t even care that thousands of people are watching. Probably more, because this is being broadcast on TV.

Everything was worth it, all the heartache, all the pain, all the scary moments. They were all worth it for this, and I’d go through it a thousand times so I could end up with Jamie Streicher.

“You should probably look at the ring,” he whispers against the corner of my mouth.

I glance down at the box he’s holding, and I melt all over again.

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