Page 97 of Coach's Temptation

"Turn it over!" Sophia nudges me, bouncing in her chair so much she spills champagne on my shoulder.

I flip the certificate and my breath catches.

There, in Hunter's bold handwriting:"You all deserve to relax. Take care of yourself like you take care of my team."

And at the bottom, a tiny heart with his name scrawled beneath it.

A heart. From Mr. Never-Shows-Emotion.

"Did he just..." Mia gasps dramatically. "Did Hunter Brody actually draw a heart?"

The one inside my chest does a little flip as I trace the shape with my finger. It's slightly lopsided, like he hesitated before committing to it, and somehow that makes it even more perfect.

"Look at her face!" Lucy coos, leaning back and looking at me. "She's gone all soft and mushy!"

"I am not," I protest weakly, but I can feel the ridiculous smile spreading across my face.

"Mmhmm." Sophia raises an eyebrow, clinking her glass against mine. "You know what that sounds like to me?"

"Wedding bells!" they all chorus, dissolving into giggles.

I roll my eyes, but I can't stop staring at that tiny heart. Coming from Hunter, it might as well be a marriage proposal written across the sky.

"Shut up and drink your champagne," I mutter, but I'm still smiling as I carefully tuck the voucher back into its envelope, right next to my heart.

***

Hunter stands casually by the famous swan boats at Boston Public Garden, leaning against the wooden railing with his hands tucked in his pockets.

Warm sunset hues spill through the trees, shining him in golden light and setting my heart fluttering like a teenager.

He spots me approaching and breaks into a rare, genuine smile. My pulse quickens.

“Hey, handsome,” I tease, wrapping my arms around his waist. “Fancy meeting you here.”

Hunter chuckles and pulls me into a gentle kiss before nodding toward the waiting swan boat slowly bobbing under the gentle waves in the river.

“You mentioned wanting to try one of these. I figured we better do it before we head back.”

My chest swells with warmth. “Thank you. And for the spa… Hunter, you made the girls’ whole week. And they nearly lost it over the little heart you drew.”

He clears his throat, cheeks reddening slightly. “Yeah, well… guess you bring out the worst in me.”

“Hmm, more like the best,” I correct him gently, earning another rare smile that softens his features.

We step onto the boat, Hunter steadying me with a firm hand on my waist as I settle onto the bench. The gentle sway of the water carries us away from the shoreline, leaving the busy park behind. He drapes an arm casually around my shoulder, pulling me close against him.

“Excited to go home tomorrow?” he asks softly.

“Yeah, I am actually,” I admit, leaning into him. “Though I’m going to miss all of this… especially your parents.”

He chuckles, the vibrations rumbling through his chest. “Trust me, they’ll find excuses to visit. Dad said Mom’s already planning our wedding and naming future grandchildren.”

My laugh echoes lightly over the pond. “She’s optimistic.”

“Yeah, she is,” Hunter murmurs, pressing his lips to my temple. “Speaking of Iron Ridge… I’ve got a surprise waiting for you back home.”

“Oh?” I perk up immediately, pulling back to search his face. “What kind of surprise?”

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