Epilogue - Jake
Six Months Later
“Are you sure you have everything?” Kenzie asks me, in a rush to get back to the front door where Allie will arrive any second.
I look at the Stanley Cup trophy that the Eagles won, despite my recurring shoulder pain. Each person on the team can keep the cup for a week or so until it has to go back to NHL headquarters for the following year. This week, carefully planned, is my week to have it. It’s a tradition I love—having the revered cup in my possession, albeit temporarily.
All the names and years of past winning teams are on the base of it, the Eagles as the latest winners.
I pat my pocket. “Yep. I have it. Think she suspects anything?”
She shakes her head. “Nah, I’ve been keeping her distracted with pretend drama between Daniel and me.” She laughs. “Little does she know that my proposal is probably coming up in a few months, too.”
I wink at her. “Aw, it’ll break Gator’s heart. I know you flirted with him at least once.”
She makes a barf face. “Gross. I would never do that.”
I love riling her up. She wags a menacing finger at me and then leaves the room. We’re at my house along with all our friends and family. I pat my pocket again and feel the ring box. I can’t wait to ask Allie to marry me.
I’d just told her to wear a cute outfit for a date night. Little does she know my entire backyard is covered with gazebos and filled with people. I stand on the back terrace. Gator sees me from under a gazebo, drink in hand. He lifts it to me in a toast gesture. I know he thinks me getting married to Allie is dumb because he’s not at all ready for a serious relationship, but he’s a true friend and he’s being as supportive as he can be.
Dr. Jones, Coach, Ron, and everyone else loiter nearby, giving me approving looks. I’ve come a long way in the past year. I know I’ve made them each proud.
“Jake!” Allie’s voice sounds surprised and happy as she steps out onto the terrace.
I give Kenzie a withering look. She was supposed to text me when Allie arrived. She just makes a face and then finds Daniel in the crowd.
I take Allie’s hand and kiss her cheek. “Hi baby.”
“What is all this?” she asks, looking radiant in her bright pink dress.
The chit chat dies down and I decide not to wait any longer. I pull out the ring box and face Allie.
“I love you more than anything, Allie. You have made me the best version of myself I could possibly be. You fill me with so much happiness. I love you and want to spend my life with you.”
I get on one knee while she gasps, her eyes full of tears. I open the box and present her with the ring. “Will you marry me?”
She pulls me to my feet and kisses me, then kisses me again. Her arms go around my neck and she says loud and clear, “Yes! I will marry you. I love you.”
The moment I slide the ring on her finger, I know my life is complete. I’d do anything for this woman and I know she’d do anything for me. We turn and face the crowd together, just like we will face whatever the future may bring.
THE END
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If you loved Off Limits PUCK , then you'll love Book Two in the Love on Ice Series, Snowed In With the PUCK: A Fake Holidate Hockey Romance.
When the snow falls, sparks fly..
Sharing a house with Eric “Gator” Warren wasn’t on my Christmas list.
Thanks to a last-minute mix-up, I’m stuck with the grumpy, gorgeous hockey star as my new roommate.
He’s impossible to ignore
Especially when he walks around shirtless, his towel slung low on his hips
And he smirks at me like he knows exactly what I’m thinking.
I’m determined to keep my distance, but when a PR disaster forces us into a fake relationship, every stolen glance feels like a dare, and every kiss sets my body on fire.
Suddenly, pretending feels way too real, and keeping my hands to myself?
Completely impossible.
The closer we get, the harder it is to remember this is all for show.
And the man I swore to avoid?
He’s the one I can’t stay away from.
Falling for Eric wasn’t part of the deal
But what if being naughty this Christmas costs me my heart?
Can two opposites find real love in their fake holiday romance? Or will the heat between them melt away when the season ends?Perfect for fans of forced proximity, holiday magic, and high-heat chemistry that’ll leave you breathless!
Read chapter one on the very next page!