Page 93 of Neo

“I have my reasons for waiting longer. Mami will understand.”

“I can’t imagine what they are.”

He looks at me, his eyes full of love and something else, something deeper. “Let me explain,” he says.

I’m surprised when we arrive at the parking lot the players use and Neo pulls out a key fob, pressing the button on it to unlock a nearby smokey gray Mercedes Benz truck.

“What the hell, Neo? You bought a Benz?”

“Not only that,” he beams. “But I’m going to drive us to our hotel.”

“Now just wait a ding dang minute. You’ve been drivingandyou bought a car? What part of I don’t like secrets don’t you understand?”

“But these are positive secrets.”

He’s right.

But I still just can’t shake the feeling that when someone keeps something from me, the bottom is going to drop out from under me soon.

Neo’s car is plush, and it drives like a dream down the Vegas strip. I’m impressed with how Neo handles the truck, not sensing any nervousness on his part at all. In fact, he looks sexy as hell.

When we arrive at the massive five-star hotel where the team is staying, Neo pulls directly up in front so that the valet service can take over from there.

“Welcome back, Mr. Major,” the attendant greets him. “Congratulations on the win.”

“Thank you.”

“Are you leaving again, or should I park it for the night?”

“Hold it up front. We may decide to go out in a few hours. I’m not sure.”

Neo gives the man a hefty tip and we head inside. A hotel bellhop approaches with a cart and offers to take Neo’s gear and the small overnight tote I packed up to the room. Neo goes to the front desk and has a brief conversation with a woman who hands Neo several key cards.

“Ready?” he asks, his smile widening.

“For what?” I ask suspiciously. “Do you have another surprise up your sleeve?”

“Maybe.” He winks.

We head to the second floor instead of the fifteenth where he said our room was and as soon as the elevator doors open, I’m bombarded by the sudden sounds of soft romantic music in a lounge covered with bouquets of flowers.

“Dance with me,” he says, extending his hand.

It feels like it’s been forever since I’ve been in Neo’s arms like this. We knew his hockey schedule would be brutal once he went pro, but I didn’t realize just how much of a difference it would mean to our relationship.

We slowly dance together, our movements in perfect sync. It’s magical, the kind of moment you read about in fairy tales. As the song nears its end, Neo stops, his gaze intensifying. He reaches into his pocket and, to my utter shock (again), gets down on one knee, right there in the middle of the room.

“Violet,” he starts, his voice steady but full of emotion. “From the moment I first saw you, I knew you were the most fascinating and kindest soul I’d ever meet. I know we are still young and life is unpredictable, but I can’t imagine living one more day without you. Will you marry me?”

Tears blur my vision as I nod, overwhelmed by love and joy. This was the last thing I was expecting, but the best secret he could have kept from me ever.

“Yes, Neo,” I cry. “There is no place I would rather be than with you for the rest of my life.”

He slips the clearest princess cut diamond ring onto my finger, stands, and we embrace, the world fading away until it’s just us, our love, and the promise of a future together. It’s more than just a proposal; it’s the beginning of our forever

Neo wraps his arms underneath my butt, lifting me off the ground, his laughter mixing with mine. “I love you, Violet,” he says, his eyes shimmering with unshed tears.

“And I love you,” I reply, feeling a surge of happiness so intense it’s almost overwhelming.

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