Page 104 of A Rookie Mistake

“I know you’re not one for gifts. And the last thing you need in your life is another hockey jersey. But a little over four years ago, I stood here and gave you your Hammerheads jersey with our shared number. So, I hope you’ll accept this new one with a slight change.”

I let go of his hand to hold the jersey up so that he could read the “Landry” across the back.

“I hoped that you might want to share more than a number with me, so I had this specially made for you. It’s one of a kind, just like you are. I want us to be a family officially. I want to share all the big moments and the little moments of my life with you. I love you, Cade baby. Will you marry me?”

Cade’s eyes were wet with emotion. His hand shook slightly when he reached up to take the jersey from me.

“Yes, Ash. I love you so much.” His voice rough with all the feeling whirling between us. “Yes, I want nothing more than to marry you and be a family together.”

“Just one more thing.” I pulled out the plain silver band I’d bought for him.

It shone under the bright fluorescent lights of the arena. I turned it until the small engraved number seventeen was visible.

“When you wear this ring and your skin brushes up against this number, it can be a reminder that I love you more than I thought was possible to love another person.” I angled the ring to the side to show him the inside where I’d put “Cade baby” for his eyes only. “And this, to remind you how much I want you in every way.”

I slipped the ring onto Cade’s left ring finger, watching as he turned the ring until the seventeen was visible. He ran his thumb back and forth over it a couple times with the most adorable, pleased smile on his face.

We erased the distance between us, wrapping our arms around each other. We came together in a deep kiss that said with our bodies everything we had just said with our hearts.

Minutes or hours could have gone by in the chilly, silent arena, but I was oblivious to everything except the man in front of me. Every sense was consumed with Cade.

Feeling the heat on my skin from our stubble rubbing together, the last thing I wanted to do was stop kissing him, but I could definitely think of a more comfortable place to do it.

Pulling back, I took his hand.

“Ready to go home?”

“I’m ready for anything when we’re together,” Cade answered.

I felt the metal of his ring rub against my fingers for the first time. The knowledge that I’d get to love this man forever overwhelmed me.

It turned out that injuring my shoulder was the best thing that could have happened to me. It set me on the path to this moment.

“Plus.” Cade’s eyes sparkled with happiness as we walked toward the exit. “You know Poe is going to be furious that his dinner is over an hour late. And he’s teaching Tate all his bad habits as we speak,” he laughed.

“Eh, let him,” I shrugged, a matching grin on my face. “Anything to have this moment right here is worth it.”

Cade’s eyes softened. We’d gone through a lot more than a grumpy cat to get to this place.

“Aw, babe, are you going to be this sappy all the time now?” he teased, leaning over to kiss my cheek.

“Plan on it, sweetheart.”