Chapter 39
Chapter Thirty-Nine
Nicole looked on as they prepared to present the championship trophy. Shealyn was doing the honors and interviewed the owner and Coach Bell. Then it was time to announce the MVP and Ariana won.
“You were right,” Kate said, standing next to Nicole.
“She deserved it,” Nicole said. She couldn’t take her eyes off of Ariana.
When Shealyn presented her the trophy Ariana lifted it in the air and gave it to her teammates.
“I couldn’t have done any of this without my teammates and one very special person who always believed in me,” Ariana said.
Shealyn laughed. “Go celebrate, Ariana. You earned it!”
Nicole watched as Ariana made her way through the crowd and ran over to where she was standing. Suddenly Nicole found herself lifted in the air as Ariana held her tightly.
“Our secret is out!” Ariana laughed.
Nicole couldn’t resist kissing Ariana again. It didn’t matter who saw them. Her girl was a champion and the MVP!
When Ariana finally put her down Nicole couldn’t stop the smile on her face. “Go celebrate. We’ll be waiting for you at Stuart’s.”
“Okay.” Ariana took Nicole’s face in her hands and kissed her again. “Thank you. This wouldn’t have happened without you.”
“I love you. I want everything for you.”
She watched Ariana run into the throng that was her teammates. They’d be celebrating all night.
“This was amazing,” Emily said.
Nicole laughed as they made their way out of the arena. “Sports are fun after all, huh.”
“Tonight was.”
They got to Stuart’s and the party had started. He’d saved them a place at the bar and had beers waiting on them.
“What a game!” Stuart said. “Your girl was amazing!”
“Yeah she was!” Nicole grinned. “Did you see her block that last shot?”
“I know!” He came around the bar and hugged her.
Nicole took a long drink of her beer and listened as everyone recalled their favorite parts of the game.
She’d been on winning teams in her life and knew the thrill of victory, but this was somehow sweeter because her Ariana had won.
Nicole and Shealyn had called several finals in their career and she could remember being especially happy for her friends who were on the winning team. Tonight topped them all.
She closed her eyes and took a moment to feel the love that was pounding in her heart. Her lips tingled as she remembered those victory kisses with Ariana.
“Oh hey,” Stuart said. “They caught your kiss on camera.”
Nicole widened her eyes. “No way!”
Stuart nodded. “I think everyone knows about your special project now.”
Nicole chuckled and shrugged. She looked over at Kate. “Good thing I already signed that new contract.”
Kate laughed and clinked her glass to Nicole’s. “Well played.”
Stuart refilled their beers as they watched and listened to the post-game show while waiting for Ariana and the team to get there.
Nicole felt someone slide on the barstool next to her and glanced over to see Ariana’s smiling face.
“Hey, whatcha doing?” Ariana said playfully.
“Waiting on my girl,” Nicole replied, playing along.
“Oh yeah? Maybe I could keep you company while you wait?”
“Mmm, nope. She’s hotter than anyone, sweeter than everything, and I love her more than anything.”
Ariana laughed, leaned over, and kissed her. “Your girl is very lucky.”
“She knows it.” Nicole turned to face her and took her hand. “Hey, I want to ask you a question.”
Ariana’s brows crept up her forehead.
“Will you move in with me?”
Ariana gasped.
“What!” Stuart exclaimed. “I thought it was going to be the big question. What a letdown.”
“Maybe I can help you, Stuart,” Ariana said, reaching into her pocket.
Nicole widened her eyes as Ariana reached for her hand.
“When I landed in your lap and your eyes met mine I fell in love right then. Our hearts connected and wouldn’t let go.
” Ariana smiled and tilted her head. “It took our heads a little longer to come around. In that time I found the person my heart had been looking for and waiting for. We fought it, then had to hide it, but our love is magical and everlasting. I don’t want to wait.
I don’t want to hide. I want to be with you now and forever.
To answer your question. Yes, I’ll move in with you.
But Nicole Neal, let’s listen to our hearts.
” Ariana bent down on one knee. “Will you marry me?”
Nicole had been blinking back tears since Ariana had reached for her hand.
She’d been staring into the prettiest brown eyes she’d ever seen and felt every word as they streamed into her heart.
There had been times with Ariana when she couldn’t believe her heart was so full and now it was overflowing.
She reached down and took Ariana’s face into her hands and pulled her lips towards her. Right before they touched she said breathlessly, “Yes.” Their lips met in the sweetest, warmest, most delicious kiss full of love.
Nicole was suddenly aware of the noise that surrounded them. All of Ariana’s teammates had been looking on and were now high-fiving, cheering, and jumping up and down. The celebration almost matched the one they’d just experienced on the basketball court.
Ariana pulled away and grinned. “I’d like you to meet my team.”
The players surrounded them with words of congratulations, pats on the back, and so much joy Nicole truly thought her heart might explode.
Ariana slipped the ring on her finger. “I hope you like it.”
Nicole looked down at the large, round diamond. “It’s beautiful.”
“It’s round, like a basketball.” Ariana winced and grinned. “Cam helped me. She said it’s like our love, it's neverending.”
“I love it,” Nicole said. “Almost as much as I love you.”
Ariana’s smile brightened the room.
“You’re right,” Nicole said. “We had to go through a lot to get here. There’s no reason to wait for what’s next. Let’s make it happen.”
“I thought you’d see it that way.”
Nicole slid her hand behind Ariana’s neck and pulled their lips together. This kiss was full of promise, joy, and a little hint of desire.
“Taste,” Ariana said softly. “The perfect song. I want to kiss your lips forever.”
“I’m loving forever.”
Their lips met once again. The noise around them disappeared, the world stopped, and it was just them, now and forever.