“He’ll tell you I did nothing but pine for you.”
“And?”
I sigh. “He’ll also tell you that he told me to quit worrying.”
She giggles, something she’s done more of lately. “I won’t ask.”
“Good.”
After we collect her luggage, we walk hand in hand back to my car. I open the trunk and heft her suitcase inside.
“Payton, what’s that?” She points to the small suitcase sitting next to hers.
“I packed a bag, just in case.”
“Why?”
“To come after you, of course. In case you didn’t come back.” I slant a smile, totally gone for this woman.
Appearing somewhat stunned, she rests her hands on my chest. “You really meant it.”
I close the trunk. “Of course I did, darling.”
She brushes her lips over mine. “Take me home, Payton.”
I drag my teeth across her bottom lip, making her gasp. “On one condition.”
“What’s that?”
“Keep the jersey on.”
Epilogue
PAYTON
Two months later
I may regret this. Or it could be the best day of my life.
“So, I go first?” Elias stares at the two-foot by three-foot sign with the word ‘WILL’ written on it in heavy black letters, all caps.
Ethan slaps him on the upper arm. “No, you tater tot. I go first.” He holds his sign up with one hand and underscores Lily’s name with his other like a showroom model highlighting a race car.
Scowling, Elias smacks him back. “Her name could go on the end, bro. Either way works.”
Dangling his sign with the word ‘MARRY’ by his side, Wade waddles over in his goalie pads, looking more menacing than the entire lot. “You fellas best take a chill pill. You’re stressing the Pay-man out.”
Here I am, sitting on the bench, holding a sign with ‘ME’ scrawled on it and, in my other hand, a velvet box with the ring I had designed for Lily while she was in England. Took every bit of strength I had not to ask her to marry me at the airport after she walked through thosedoors, ran to me, and wrapped herself around me like a hungry kitten.
And each day afterward. But I wanted to do one of those grand gestures like I’ve read in my sister’s romance books. Something that would show Lily how much I love her, and how much I want to spend every day of my life with her. And that’s why I hatched this plan with the help of my mates. In fact, the day Lily flew back to England, I hosted another team dinner with the ulterior motive of asking for their ideas and assistance.
When I explained how I’d used signs to enlist Delilah’s help, Luke said I should do it again, this time for Lily. And he was right. I hope he still is because even my sweat is sweating at this point. It’s bad enough I have to wait until the season’s over to officially marry this woman.
If she says yes, that is.
Luke inserts himself between me and the other blokes. “We got this, Pay. Don’t we, boys?” He shoots a threatening look at the others, who nod obediently. “And she’s going to love it.”
Breath shaky, I get to my feet. “I bloody well hope so.”
