Page 35 of Puck, Marry, Thrill

He bought her a satin nightgown?

Her lips parted in silent awe.

It wasn’t just a gift—it was a gesture, a tender whisper of vulnerability that felt like a turning point. Something had shifted between them. This wasn’t a house they were just cohabiting anymore. This was becoming something more… something real. A marriage that had started with walls was slowly being filled with little, meaningful bridges.

Cradling the nightgown against her chest, she pressed it to her heart like it might anchor her spinning emotions. And then—she smelled something. A light, airy scent drifting on the stillness of the room.

Flowers?

She turned slowly, almost in a daze, her bare feet padding softly against the bathroom tiles. And there it was—another gift bag perched on the counter. Jamie let out a breathy laugh, full of disbelief and delight. She shook her head, smiling wide, and stepped closer to investigate.

Her fingers rustled through the tissue paper, parting it with care, and inside, she found a few bath bombs nestled like treasures and a bottle of glittery lotion tucked beside them. Her smile deepened, but her heart… her heart cracked wide open when she caught the scent again.

“He likes lily of the valley…” she murmured aloud, half to herself, still stunned.

Of all the scents,thatwas the one he chose? It was delicate, feminine, and oddly nostalgic. He wasn’t the kind of man who paid attention to things like that—or so she had thought. The fact that he did? That he noticed, remembered, or evencaredenough to choose something so uniquely beautiful?

She felt her knees go a little weak.

And just then, she looked up—drawn by something stronger than instinct—and saw him standing there in the doorway. Watching her.

“Hi,” he breathed, his voice rough, uncertain. “I hope you don’t mind…”

She shook her head slightly, warmth flooding her cheeks. “Not at all,” she whispered, the words barely audible past the emotion swelling in her throat.

“I thought you might like something pretty…”

“I love it,” she replied, clutching the satin to her chest like it was something sacred.

His smile was soft, genuine. “And it’s been a while since I dated, but I thought you might like that too…”

“It’s a lovely choice.”

“It reminds me of you.”

“Oh?” Her voice was quiet, intrigued.

“Simple and unassuming—but once you know more about it, then you realize just how potent and incredibly sweet the precious flower is…” he said, the words hanging in the air between them like a shared secret. Then he hesitated. “Jamie?”

“Yes?” Her pulse quickened, sensing something more behind his tone.

“I know this is strange to ask…”

“Yes?” she interrupted quickly, breathless, with the hope building inside her.

“I’d like things to be different between us.”

“Me too,” she blurted, her hands tightening around the fabric she held.

“But I may have put my foot in my mouth again.”

“Uh oh…” she teased gently, trying to balance the sudden shift in mood.

“One of my former teammates, a good friend, needs a place to sleep for two days while he looks for a place and…”

“Of course,” she replied almost instantly, though her heart sank quietly in her chest.

She’d thought—hoped—this was a prelude to something deeper between them. A nightgown, a scent, a flower that reminded him of her… she’d let herself believe this was leading to a turning point in their relationship. That maybe tonight would mark a change in their marriage. Something intimate. Something more. But instead, it was just a courtesy before his buddy showed up. Was he softening her up so she wouldn’t be upset?

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