Page 60 of The Cupcake Cottage

“There’s nothing better than old friends,” Maverick was saying into the microphone as Daisy-Mae carefully walked across the ice toward him in her cowboy boots. “And here is one of mine right now. You might know her as our mascot Dezzie’s friend. Or even as someone who arranged for those free cowboy hats that five hundred of you are wearing tonight.”

Cheers went up, and Daisy-Mae smiled at Maverick. What a sweetheart.

“Or as my girlfriend.”

He got a few catcalls and more cheers. Fans were normally clearing out of the stands by now, racing to their cars, hoping to beat the crush of people leaving the parking lot. But many sat down again to see what was about to unfold.

Daisy-Mae was wondering the same. It was New Year’s Eve. Too early for a public engagement.

Although she had suggested he surprise her. And Maverick wasn’t one to disappoint. Kind of like the blanket at Christmas.

But again, a day too early.

With the microphone still held in front of him, Maverick held out his hand, waiting for her. He told the crowd he’d fallenin love, and Daisy-Mae felt an instant flash of jealousy before realizing he was talking about her.

It was then that she realized maybe he didn’t think it was too soon to add his own little “something” to the team’s New Year’s Eve “bash” game, as arranged by the PR twins.

She almost turned back on the ice, feeling nervous. Then she caught his gaze with her own. His blue eyes were filled with fondness and love, and all of her worries and fears melted away. Before she realized it, her hand was in his. He was down on one knee there at center ice, proposing to her in front of thousands of fans.

She lost the words he was saying, her mind and heart overwhelmed. It still felt so unreal to be the recipient of his love, and she still hadn’t acclimatized. And this was so big. Overwhelming, and what she’d dreamed of for so long.

He was real, and so was the giant diamond ring he was sliding onto her finger as she nodded furiously, unable to speak. The diamond had been flattened along the top, placed into white gold, and surrounded by tiny red rubies. It made her feel as if she was worthy of luxury and pampering. Her eyes dampened again. This was so much more than she deserved.

She still couldn’t stop nodding.

Yes. Yes, yes, yes.

Tears wet her eyes as she slowly focused on the world around her, the cheers coming back at a deafening roar. The Dragons lined up behind Maverick, thumping their sticks on the ice. Someone with a camera edged closer, and flashes lit up the surrounding arena.

She tried to blink back the wetness so she could focus on Maverick.

She was officially off the market. Maybe for the rest of her life.

** *

Maverick was shaking. Shaking like he’d just won the Stanley Cup.

He hadn’t won a cup. His team wasn’t at the top of their game.

But Daisy-Mae was wearing his ring.

And for some crazy reason that felt the same as winning something huge.

Maybe even one hundred percent better.

She was tearing up in a way that made his heart feel simultaneously like it might get crushed by the tightening of his ribs and lungs or simply burst out of his chest from sheer happiness.

She stepped against him again, wrapping her arms over his padded shoulders, hugging him, face buried against his jersey, shorter now because of the height of his skates. He swept her into his embrace like he had a hundred times before.

He had to remind himself this was real.

As real as the weighty diamond on her left ring finger.

She slipped her hand higher on his back and over his shoulder, peeking at the ring as they continued to hug. He had chosen something beautiful, classic, classy, sophisticated, and incredible. Her.

“I don’t know if I can pull off wearing this gorgeous ring,” she whispered as they pulled apart. They were on the ice, under the Jumbotron, which was likely broadcasting every nuance of their expressions.

Maverick lifted her hand, admiring the gems which fit perfectly around her slender finger.

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