Page 108 of Broken Ice, Mended Hearts

“Barracudas don’t grow apart,” he said. “There might be physical distance, but have we lost touch with Benny or Sharpie?”

In the spring, we’d had a big team get-together, and former Barracudas Benny Caldwell and Billy Sharpe had flown in for the day, with Benny’s husband and Sharpie’s girlfriend in tow.

“I guess not,” I said. “It was great to see those guys. Every time we’re together, it’s like they never left.”

Nick nodded. “You bet your ass. That’s the way it is with family, and if you and Sven think you’re getting away, you’d better reconsider.”

The boys loudly voiced their agreement, and Jacob asked where Sven and I had decided to live.

Sven, who had his arm around me, squeezed my shoulders. “We’ll be here in the summer. It’s heaven on earth, and Pip likes it even more than I do.”

“Damn right,” I said, kissing his cheek. “A love for this amazing country is among the many things this man has given me.”

“How about in the winter?” Kev asked.

“Where we live now, in Chevy Chase.” Sven shrugged. “We have to come and see the Cudas and Congressmen play, and we love our home there.”

“Sven liked it from the first time he saw it,” I said. “And to echo his words, I think he loves it more than I do.”

“We’re also planning to spend a lot of time seeing the world,” Sven added. “So much good food, so little time.”

“Sounds like a great plan.” Nick looked around and held up his beer bottle. “I know we’re all thrilled for Gags and Sven. May we be so happy when our day comes.”

“Hear, hear!” The cheer echoed around the room, and then things became quiet. We snuggled closer to our guys and stared into the fire.

Tyler broke the silence. “I have a question. None of my business, but have you guys thought about taking the next step, Sven and Gags? It’s about time for another Barracuda wedding.”

Shouts of agreement filled the air as every head turned toward us.

“I’ve been wondering the same thing,” Jack said. “I highly recommend marriage. It’s the best thing I ever did.”

I gave Sven a loud smack on the cheek, then looked around the room. “You never know. Stay tuned for further developments, I guess.”

Sven pulled me closer. “I know marriage is a good thing. You guys are all so happy, and I’m not saying it won’t happen for Pip and me, but if it does, it does. I love this bigrövhålmore than I can get my mind around, but I don’t need a ring on my finger to prove it, or to realize he loves me.”

“Idolove you, babe,” I said. I’d made plans for tonight, but dinner went long, and by the time we settled next to the fire, I’d decided to wait until tomorrow. Maybe that had been wrong. Here, in the quiet of the woods, by a warm fire with the people we loved most, was the ideal place. My concern had been the time, but fuck that. We all stayed up late.

I smiled as I thought back on our incredible journey over the last three years. Sven and I went through so much when we were getting together, overcoming trust issues and healing from past heartbreaks. Admitting I’d fallen in love with a man hadn’t been easy, and I’d always be sorry I hadn’t owned up to my feelings sooner. Every time it came up in conversation, Sven said not to worry about it, that things had played out the way they did for a reason.

I didn’t know what the reason was, but one thing was certain: the bond we now shared was indestructible. Sven completed me, filling a void in my soul, not merely a place in my life. Living without him was unimaginable because the love we shared was the cornerstone of my being. Fuck it! Why was I worried about the time? I got up and looked around. “Excuse me, boys. Be right back.”

I ran up the stairs and into our bedroom, where I removed a bag from the bottom dresser drawer. After looking inside to be sure everything was there, I headed back downstairs. The guys were talking about something, but the pounding in my ears was too loud for me to hear what it was.

“You’re back.” Sven gave me his special grin, and I knew without a doubt I was doing the right thing, that the timing couldn’t have been more perfect.

I winked at him. “Missed you, babe.” Looking at the guys, I added, “I want you to see something, boys, but give me a minute first.”

Reaching into the bag, I removed one of the vanilla-scented candles Sven loved—I hoped I’d gotten the right brand—and set it on the coffee table between the sofas. After lighting it, I went to the hutch in the corner and retrieved a vase from the bottom compartment. It held a bouquet of wildflowers I’d picked when we’d taken an afternoon walk through the woods and Sven had stayed behind to nap.

“I wondered where those went,” Jacob said. “They’re so pretty.”

I set the vase on a small table along the wall beside Sven, then reached back into the bag and removed two leis I’d ordered, reminiscent of our quick trip to Hawaii last Christmas. After draping one around Sven’s neck and the other around mine, I gave him a quick kiss before reaching back into the bag. I removed the small brass statue I’d had made—two hockeyplayers locked in a fighting pose—and set it on the floor next to Sven. Some of the boys wore curious smiles, but others were already slack-jawed. Jacob had a hand in front of his mouth.

My heart pounded like a sledgehammer, and as I took a steadying breath, doubt reared its ugly head.He’ll like this, right?My mouth went dry, and I tried to swallow the sudden lump in my throat. Looking into Sven’s eyes, I realized their blue depths were the only thing I ever needed to see again, so I knelt beside him.

“Pip?” He pulled at the collar on his shirt like it was too tight. “What are you doing?”

He knew, which is why his eyes were so wide I could see white all the way around. I smiled, humming to be sure my voice worked. “You’ve given me a life I never imagined possible.” The thudding in my chest sped up because my opening line was all I could remember.Fuck. I suck at improvising.

---