Page 132 of Coach's Temptation

“Natalie Hayes,” he murmurs, smiling now. “Will you marry me?”

I nod before my brain can catch up.

Then I’m laughing. Crying. Dropping to my knees in front of him, throwing my arms around his neck as the crowd behind us erupts.

“Yes,” I whisper, my fingers tangling into his hair. “Yes. Of course.Yes.”

Hunter makes a sound in his throat—something raw, relieved, completely and utterly wrecked—before he cups my face and crashes his mouth against mine.

The team loses it.

Lucy full-on screams.

Connor fist-pumps so hard he nearly falls over.

Blake and Sophia are hugging liketheyjust got engaged all over again.

The world blurs as my heart pounds inside my chest. My lips are on Hunter’s, my hands fisting his shirt, the sound of champagne popping and cheers and music swirling around us.

But all I can focus on is him.

Hunter grins. “Did I surprise you?”

I laugh, overwhelmed, ridiculously happy. “Hunter,you’remy surprise.”

Then suddenly, I’m not in Hunter’s arms anymore. Sophia and Lucy physically drag me away, both of them making noises so high-pitched I’m pretty sure only dogs can hear them.

“Oh. My. God,” Lucy gasps, her eyes bugging out. “That ring.That ring!”

“Let me see, let me see, let me—” Sophia all but yanks my hand toward her, and the second they both get a good look, they swoon in unison like they’re in some damn regency drama.

“It’s vintage,” Lucy practically moans. “I swear to God, I just saw a TikTok saying vintage rings are the most romantic.”

Sophia gasps. “Where did he get it?”

I blink and look at Hunter who's standing there, proud as punch as the boys drill him for being 'a big softie after all'.

“I don't know."

Hunter’s voice, so deep and proud carries over my shoulder. “I got it from your mom.”

I whip around. “Youwhat?!”

Hunter’s eyes sparkle, his hands back in his pockets to fetch Lucy a tissue from the packet. He hands it to her and smiles back at me.

“Yeah. I paid them a little visit before we left Iron Ridge,” he says with a grin. “Had a little chat. Got her blessing.”

I frown. "And dad's?"

He chuckles. "Yep. Won him over too."

I gape at him, complete shock on my face.

This man. This fucking man.

“Nope. I’m dead. Fully dead." Lucy fans herself dramatically. "Connor! Where are you?!"

Connor looks up from his drink. "What?"

---