Page 79 of Peach Blossom Hollow

Maybe it was love.

And maybe, just maybe, that pesky curse that had been plaguing her family’s matriarchal line was finally being broken and dissolved by a love much stronger than some bad juju.

Leo shifted closer, his right hand cradling her jaw as he deepened the kiss. She pressed her hands to his chest, wishing to be closer. The kiss stole her breath, and she forgot her surroundings.

The man was magic. That’s what it was. It wasn’t the atmosphere or anything else; it was him. Their friendship. Their growing love.

She didn’t need to change to be with someone who truly loved her, because he saw her flaws and believed they were beautiful strengths.

EPILOGUE

Violet pushed on the locker room door, angling her costume’s head so she could see better. A cold drink of water right now would be bliss. The door swung open, and she stumbled over the threshold, tumbling into the room. Hands gripped her, righting her again.

“We’ve got to stop meeting like this.”

She knew that deep voice. Violet lifted the dragon head and grinned at Leo. “Where’s the fun in that?” she asked.

He planted a kiss on her lips. “I still remember the day I met you. You fell for me, if I recall correctly. It seems to be a habit of yours.”

Violet laughed and rolled her eyes. “You also have a habit of being very charming.”

“And flattering. You like hearing sweet words, don’t you?”

“I do.”

“But not as much as you like my kisses.”

She smiled.

“I believe I told you when we met that you have a pretty face.”

“You did, and I do.”

“Is that a hint?”

“Is what a hint?”

“Replying ‘I do’ twice in a row like that?”

“What? I did? No. Are you…?” She frowned, realizing a few things were off with this situation. “How are you even in here already?” He was still in his hockey gear, but was supposed to be in the post-game meeting in the players’ locker room. And where was Daisy-Mae? She should have caught up with Violet by now to help her out of her costume.

“Would you like me to?” Leo asked, eyebrows raised.

“Do what?” She leaned to the right, trying to look over his shoulder into the room, but Leo gently guided her chin so she had to gaze at him.

“Propose?”

“Propose?” They’d been dating for only two months, inseparable since Indigo Bay, the wedding and their short scuba diving trip.

But wasn’t it a bit quick to get engaged?

Yes, she already knew he was the one. She loved him and knew she’d follow him if he got traded this season. He’d become that important in her life and she’d learned that they actually wanted the same things. Well, except she didn’t need a million or two in the bank to feel secure enough to start a family, but she was working on him about that.

She glanced around her locker room, and this time he didn’t stop her. Late-season peach blossoms were strewn everywhere, as well as candles. It smelled nice. A lot better than the room normally did.

“What is this?” she asked, barely able to breathe.

“It’s too soon, isn’t it?”

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