Page 110 of Must Love Dogs… and Hockey

“You’reworth the risk.You’remore important than my fears.” I pause. “I love you, Lilly.”

A small sob escapes her lips. “Really?”

“Really. I’m sorry I hurt you. I shouldn’t have said that you aren’t going to win your lawsuit. I was just being a cynical dick. And I’m sorry I let you think that you aren’t important to me. So, so sorry. That’s the last thing I ever want to do. I was an idiot.”

“Yes.”

I snort-laugh. “Is there still a chance for us?”

“Yes. Please. I’ve been thinking too. I didn’t…maybe I was right about some things, but I don’t think I really understood how much you lost in that accident. How much it impacted you.” She shifts closer on the couch and I reach for her hands and grip them. “I didn’t realize how you felt you’d even lost your mom. You were so young, and on your own, and becoming a professional athlete is a huge thing. I get why hockey’s so important to you.”

“Christ, I love you.” I pull her closer still, practically onto my lap, and wrap my arms around her. She melts into me, holding me too, and for a moment we sit there embracing, neither of us speaking, both of us struggling with our emotions. But we’re struggling together.

Eventually I pull back and turn to her to find her mouth with mine. She kisses me back, our mouths fusing, our hands clutching each other, kissing over and over and over. “I love you.” I kiss her cheek, her jaw. “I love you so much.”

“I love you too.”

Our mouths meet again for more kisses. I pour everything into those kisses, all my love and devotion and reverence for her and for her sweet optimism and idealism and loyalty.

A while later, she murmurs, “I have something else for you.”

“Oh yeah. Let’s move to the bedroom.”

She gives me a tap. “Not that. Well, not yet. Hold on, you horny hockey player.”

I laugh as she gets up and walks over to where she left her purse. She returns with a small box wrapped in Christmas paper. “I got you this for Christmas. I couldn’t return it, so…” She hands it to me.

I turn it over in my hands. “Should I open it?”

“Sure.”

I peel open the paper, then lift the lid off the tiny box to reveal a pair of silver cuff links. I lift one to study it and I see Otis’s tiny face. “Oh, man!” My gaze shoots up to hers. “It’s Otis!”

She clears her throat. “Yeah. They made them from a picture I had of him.”

Heat radiates through my chest. “They’re perfect.” I cough, because my damn throat is squeezing up. “Thank you.”

“You’re welcome.”

“I, uh, actually have a Christmas present for you too.”

“You do?”

“I bought it in California. When we were on our road trip there. So I can’t return it either. I’ll get it.”

I truck into the bedroom and dig the small box out of my dresser drawer. I return and hand it to her. “I never wrapped it, sorry.”

She takes it hesitantly. The box is about the same size as the one she gave me. She opens it and peers down. “Oh.” She touches her fingertips to her lips, then lifts the pendant necklace. The small diamond-encrusted charm dangles on a silver chain—the charm shaped like a dog paw print.

She closes her eyes and her face gets pink like she’s trying not to cry. Then she draws in a breath through her nose, opens her eyes, which shine, and smiles. “Thank you. I love it.”

“I just want you to be happy.” I pause. “And naked.”

She laughs. “Okay, let’s go get naked.”

Chapter 23

Lilly

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