46
ANNA
I thought nothing was going to top the obsession Rosie has with her dog. But I was wrong because after watching Sylas play for a little over two and a half hours, she’s beyond obsessed.
Harlow brought her a soft hockey stick before the game started, so she’s animatedly shuffling on the ground and pretending to be playing. Every so often, she stops to watch Sylas on the screen, gushing, giggling, and gasping over how he moves and when he’s pushed against the boards.
That freaked her out at first, but then she got angry, hitting the stick against the wall.
“I see hockey in her future,” Maya says as we follow Abby and a few of the wives and girlfriends to where the guys are.
Sylas texted us and asked if Rosie wanted to get on the ice. He was trying to be nonchalant, but I know he’s dying to get her on it. I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t. I just know, unlike me, she’s going to be a natural.
“I’ve no doubt she’s going to play. Thea was showing her videos, and she looked mesmerized,” Jenny supplies, walking behind us along with Clementine.
It’s the first Sunday they’re not playing an away game, so we were able to all come. I know they’re going to want to do it again because sitting in the box is so much fun. I know the girls enjoyed it too. We don’t ever do stuff like this, but I think we’re going to have to start.
“Ready to be hauling all that equipment?” Em teases.
I always knew she was intrigued, but she got enthusiastic after seeing it live.
“I’ll support whatever she wants to do. I’m just not ready for the stench.” I scrunch my nose. I’ve gotten a whiff of Sylas’s equipment, and despite how many times he cleans it, it stinks from how much he sweats.
The other women all agree with me, some even sharing their tips about keeping separate washing machines.
We’re all laughing and talking until Rosie jerks from my hold and runs straight to the love of our lives. He immediately drops his stuff and kneels for her. She jumps into his arms and starts rambling about the ice and her stick.
He listens intently as if he were in a business meeting and not talking to his almost three-year-old.
It was scary to trust him in the beginning. I didn’t want to after everything that happened, but I know with certainty there isn’t a thing that man wouldn’t do for us. Even for my sister, who he didn’t get to know until a few months ago.
It’s still a little nerve-wracking—opening up to him again, wanting to be with him forever—but there isn’t anyone I see myself doing life with.
Even when we weren’t together, life didn’t make sense with anyone else. The universe had to know we’d see each other again. There’s no way this all happened by coincidence.
The moment Sylas and Rosie saw each other, they fell in love, and I fell harder for him. I fought it, terrified he’d leave again. I know he won’t now because he’s proven to me time and time again that he’s going to fight for us.
I don’t have any more doubts, and even if I did, everyone around me is constantly letting me know exactly how he feels about us.
“I’m so happy you finally came.” Sylas’s heated gaze sails over my oversized jersey with his number on it. He leans down, mouth over my ear. “I need you to keep this jersey on when we get home.”
My heart thunders, and my face warms. “I’ll think about it.”
“Don’t think about it too hard,” he huskily says.
I bite my lip, doing my best not to smile. Before I’m able to get a word out, Rosie asks Sylas about getting on the ice.
“It’s all she’s been talking about,” I tell him.
He’s beaming, all too excited about knowing that. “Thea is going to love this.”
“Rosie’s going to be a fast learner. She’s a natural on the ice.”
We got home a few minutes ago and now we’re lying on Sylas’s bed. Rosie is in his closet, rummaging through his stuff.
He’s pretty much moved into my bedroom, but he still has a few things in this room.
She should be asleep, but being on the ice gave her energy I didn’t know she was capable of. So we’re letting her be, hoping doing that will eventually tire her out.
“She really—” I stop talking. I sit up and look over at the walk-in closet. “She’s really quiet.”
He stands, quietly padding over to the closet, and when he sees what she’s doing, he rushes over.
“What did she grab?” I get up, following behind him.
Sylas slams one of the drawers shut. Spinning around, he garbles, “Nothing. It’s uh…nothing.”
My brows knit at his reaction. “Why are you being weird?” I approach him.
He stands in front of the drawer, trying to appear indifferent. “I’m not. I just—I—it’s nothing.”
Rosie moves on to the next drawer, rummaging through it.
“Sylas.” I stand in front of him, bending to try to open it, but he blocks me. “What are you hiding?”
He stares at me for a long beat then blows out a resigned breath. “You are the love of my life.”
I don’t think he’s done anything wrong, but I can’t help but feel skeptical. “If there’s a thong in there or—”
Sylas laughs, shaking his head before he sobers. “I didn’t want to give this to you now, but…” He drops to his knee, opens the drawer, and pulls out a red velvet box. His fingers quiver, and his cheeks turn pink. “This is for you. It has been since…”
I stagger back, my eyes bulging when he opens the box. Inside is a round green emerald, surrounded by small diamonds set in a gold band.
I remember we talked about what kind of wedding ring I’d love to wear, going so far as to design it. He was adamant he wanted to get me something I’d love and he…wow. I’m speechless. This is far prettier than I ever imagined.
“No you didn’t.” My eyes are pricking with tears. “You’ve had this for years? So before you broke up with me?”
I know what the answer is, but I need to ask. I need to hear him say it.
“Anna, meu bem, the stupidest thing I’ve ever done is let you go,” he starts.
Inching closer to me, he takes my hand in his.
Rosie is in a world of her own, unaware of what’s going on.
“I promised myself if the universe ever let me find you again, I’d work endlessly to win you back.
Now that you’re here, I’m never letting go.
I know it’s too soon, but sometimes things are out of our control.
And sometimes the universe sends us signals.
Maybe this is one. I’m not sure. All I know is that I need to ask you now. ”
I’m trying to hold it in, but he’s staring at me like I’m the center of his universe. The tears I was trying to hold back roll down my cheeks.
“Why are you crying? I haven’t even asked you yet?” He smiles sweetly at me. His voice is playful, but his eyes are glistening.
“I really can’t stand you.” I wipe them away, my cheeks aching from how big I’m grinning.
He rubs the pad of his thumb over my knuckle. “I know, but you love me anyway.”
“Of course I do. I always have, and I’ll never stop.”
“Thank you for loving me. I know I was difficult to like and even more difficult to love. I know—”
“You’re not difficult to love. Loving you has been many things, but difficult was never one of them.”
His parents made him feel that way. I know it’s why he second-guesses himself. Why he doesn’t feel like he’s doing enough, but I’m never going to stop reminding him that he is and showing him how much I feel for him.
He shrugs, suddenly bashful. “You’ve put up with me, and I know it’s not been easy. After everything you’ve been through, you could have walked away, but you’re here. I love you with all my might, with everything in me. I—”
Rosie stands between us, trying to sit on Sylas’s lap. We laugh as he helps her up on her knee. “I love you and want to spend forever with you. Will you marry me, Anna?”
I don’t know why the question makes me cry harder, but it does. I can’t stop. My vision is blurry, and my cheeks are wet from the tears. “Yes” is all I can manage to say.
Sylas slips the ring on my finger before he stands, hugging Rosie and me.
He’s right. Maybe this is too soon, but nothing has ever felt more right.