Epilogue
Holly
Six months pregnant, waddling through the entrance to a packed stadium lounge, I’ve never felt so ginormous and glowing in my life. And okay, maybe slightly nauseous after Lauren took every curb like she was auditioning for NASCAR.
Lauren, meanwhile, fusses beside me like a scorned yet secretly hopeful soap opera star, clutching her purse like it’s the one thing keeping her from bolting.
“Don’t know why I even agreed to this,” she grumbles. “Everyone from the team’s going to be there, and you know who I’m talking about—him,” she adds, rolling her eyes in Ryan’s general direction, though he’s nowhere in sight.
“Oh, ‘him,’” I echo, loading the word with every ounce of teasing I can muster. “The guy who, dare I say, texts you until midnight? Sends you those cute little basketball emojis?”
She rolls her eyes at me, and I can’t help but grin. Honestly, it’s hilarious watching my sister-friend, always the cool-headed, chic counselor, go weak-kneed for Ryan Connors. “He’s … well, he’s funny,” she mutters, glancing around. “And, well never mind!”
“Oh, ‘never mind,’ my foot.” I beam, nudging her. “You like him, and it’s adorable. I’m not even mad its taking attention off my bump.”
Inside, the room is buzzing. Laughter, the clink of glasses, and the smell of overpriced cologne hang in the air, filling me with a kind of warmth I didn’t realize I’d been craving. Ever since Ethan led the Blizzards to victory—courtesy of a jaw-dropping, last-second goal—we’ve all been riding a wave of pure elation. Ethan, especially, seems different. Lighter. Happier. More willing to be present with everyone instead of that brooding shadow thing he does so well.
As we weave our way into the room, I catch sight of him across the floor, dressed in that annoyingly perfect way he manages even when he claims he “threw something on.” Eyes as clear and steady as ever, even though he has no idea I’m watching. There’s no mistaking it now—Ethan Carter is glowing, too.
The Blizzards, for their part, have been just as radiant in their loyalty to him. I’ll admit, I got a little misty-eyed when they rallied around him as the media uncovered the mess with his family. It’s amazing to witness how his name’s been cleared, along with his dignity. And tonight is as much a celebration of that as it is of the game.
Lauren’s busy admiring the spread—this absurd display of canapés and petit fours that look more like art than food—when I feel a hand slide into mine. I turn, and there he is. Ethan. Calm, a little mischievous, and looking at me as though I’m the only person in the room.
“Hey, you.” His voice is soft, but his eyes have a spark tonight.
“Hey yourself,” I reply, trying not to swoon too visibly. “Nice party you guys have got going here. Big win.”
His smile broadens. “Well, you know, big team, big celebration. But I think they left something out.”
“Oh?” I raise an eyebrow, playing along. “And what’s that?”
“Well…” he clears his throat, looking bashfully at the floor before his eyes find mine again. “You.”
The lights in the room dim a little, and suddenly, a quiet hush settles over everyone. The music fades, and people begin to look in our direction, eyes sparkling with curious smiles.
“What’s going on?” I whisper, gripping his hand tighter.
“Just watch.” He winks at me, and it’s like I’m on the edge of a perfect moment.
And then, in one graceful move that can only come from a pro hockey player used to pressure, he drops down onto one knee. Yes. That’s right. In front of everyone. Just like in the movies.
Gasps float through the room, and I feel Lauren grab my arm, almost squealing. Ethan’s face is a mix of nerves and excitement, and his eyes never leave mine. “Holly,” he starts, his voice a warm rumble, “you make my world brighter, crazier, and a whole lot more interesting. You’ve shown me a kind of love I didn’t know was possible, and there’s no one else I’d rather spend my life with.”
He produces a ring—somehow perfect, just like him. But that’s not what hits me. It’s his face, so full of sincerity, and the room, so full of warmth. And maybe it’s the hormones talking, but I can’t help feeling like this is better than every fairy tale rolled into one.
“Marry me?” he asks, a hopeful spark in his eyes.
“Oh, you crazy man,” I blurt out. “Yes, a million times yes!”
And before he can even slip the ring onto my finger, I’m pulling him up, kissing him in front of everyone, and I can hear them all cheering and clapping. But the world blurs as we hold each other, everything else falling away. Ethan kisses me again, whispering something I barely catch, but it sounds like “finally.” And I feel it, too. Finally.
When we finally break apart, Lauren and Mia are right behind me, clapping, squealing, all wide-eyed and excited.
“About time, don’t you think?” Lauren whispers, giving me a quick, playful hug before letting go.
“Please, I was beginning to think I’d have to move in with him to get him to propose,” I shoot back, grinning.
But before we can go too far, I notice Ryan has stepped up to congratulate Ethan, clapping him on the shoulder in that casual, cool way. He’s looking at Lauren with a half-smile that practically screams intrigue. Lauren tries to look unaffected, but her face gives everything away, her cheeks flushed like it’s been painted there. When she catches my eye, she glares daggers.
“Oh, don’t look at me like that,” I say with a smirk. “I think Mr. Captain has finally noticed you.”
She huffs, crossing her arms, but her smile sneaks out. “Yeah, well, let’s just see where that goes. Not like I have high hopes or anything.”
I snicker, watching Ryan inch closer, the two of them caught up in some banter that’s too quiet to hear but clearly just as entertaining to watch.
I nudge Ethan, who’s back at my side. “Look over there—another couple in the making?”
He grins. “Oh, we’re going to have to get our wedding done early or they might beat us to it.”
“Oh, definitely,” I say, patting my slightly-rounded belly. “If we’re all about grand romantic gestures, why stop now?”
We slip back into the celebration, the music picking up again, and people come over to congratulate us. I’ve never felt so overwhelmed with happiness, like I’ve just swallowed a whole jar of glitter and I’m sparkling from the inside out.
The End
Thank You for reading Pucking my Enemy Boss.