Page 72 of The Game Changer

“I’m sure we’ll manage just fine,” she laughs, and pats my chest. “Just think of how much it will build up the anticipation for tomorrow night.”

I grumble at her words. “Why did I agree to a sunset wedding time? Can we change that to a sunrise?”

“No, and no peeking tomorrow. If you try to sneak in and see me early I will withhold wedding night sex from you, mister,” she says as sternly as she can, but cracks into a fit of giggles at the last minute.

“All right, so tomorrow night, sunset, you and me and the rest of our lives,” I tell her, pressing my forehead against hers as my hands find their way to her hips, holding her close to me.

“I’ll be there, the one in the white dress, just in case you needed help picking me out,” she teases.

“I love you,” I say, pressing my lips against her forehead.

“Love you, too, Mr. Camps.”

“Less than twenty-four hours and you’ll be Mrs. Camps,” I remind her.

“Jill Camps,” she says. “It has a nice ring to it, doesn’t it?”

“It does,” I tell her, kissing her once more.

“Jill, are you coming?” Julia calls from down the hall.

“I’ll be there in just a minute,” she tells her best friend.

“See you soon, husband to be,” Jill says as her hands find mine as she links our fingers. With one quick squeeze she’s pulling away from me and heading down the hall to the suite she’s staying in tonight. I watch as she goes, forcing myself to stay put in this exact spot so that I don’t go pick her up, toss her over my shoulders and bring her back to our room, traditions be damned. But I don’t, I know this is important to her, so I turn and open the suite door, taking myself inside. I shuck off the shorts and polo I wore for the rehearsal and dinner tonight, then hit the showers before I spread out on the king-size bed. I flip on the TV, finding some tattoo shop show to watch until sleep claims me for a fitful night’s sleep.

* * *

“We’ve got a slight problem,” Diane says to me just after lunch.

“What’s that?” I ask, dread filling my belly at the thought of Jill having second thoughts about marrying me today.

“There is a storm brewing out at sea and the wedding planner is suggesting we move the ceremony up by a few hours rather than risk the storm hitting by then.”

“And that’s a problem?” I ask, relieved that it isn’t Jill having second thoughts. I wasn’t loving the idea of having to wait hours more until I got to see her, but I also know that she really wanted a perfect setting for our pictures.

“It shouldn’t be. As long as you can inform the guys to go get ready, Jill is already doing so and should be ready in an hour. I’ve already taken care of informing the guests.”

“I’ll take care of the guys,” I assure my soon to be mother-in-law.

“Thanks. Jill was starting to panic when I left the room where she’s at,” she tells me.

“Can you take her something for me, please?” I ask, knowing that I have a gift for my bride back in our room.

“Of course,” Diane says.

“Come with me and I’ll give it to you,” I tell her, leading the way.

“She asked that I give you this,” Diane says, handing me an envelope as I hand her the small bag, which holds a necklace with matching tennis bracelet, along with a short note.

“Thanks,” I tell her. “I’ll get the guys moving. Just text me a specific time everyone needs to be ready and outside and I’ll make sure they are present and accounted for.”

“Will do, see you soon!” she says as she makes her way out of the room and down the hall.

I head down the hall to my mom’s room, letting her know what is going on so that she can start to get ready. Cindi already knows since she’s in the bridal party with Jill. I head for Beckett’s room and let him know to start to get ready, too.

An hour later, I’m dressed and waiting. I pull out Jill’s envelope, carefully breaking the seal the glue created.

Johnathan,

Today I pledge to be your wife. To love, honor, and cherish you through the good times and bad. Through sickness and health. I pledge to always be by your side, to be your light when yours is dimmed. I’m honored you chose me to spend the rest of your life with. You make me the happiest I’ve ever been, and I can’t wait to see where this life takes us. I love you with all that I am, and to the moon and back.

Love your one and only,

Jill

I read her words over multiple times, letting them soak in until they’ve reached my soul. I’d never expected to find a woman as incredible as Jill, but I did. Fate has a way of working out sometimes. It takes a playmaker on the ice to take control and set his team up to win, but it’s the game changer that steals the show and brings it all together.

She’s my game changer, and my forever.

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