Page 208 of Ice Princess

The puck soars past the goalie’s glove in a lighting flash and rams into the back of the net.

Score!

Lucky Falls goes wild in the stands. I hug Carol and then I hug April and Delia. Tears are running down Carol’s face and I feel a few tears pressing against the back of my eyes too.

It’s the first time Lucky Falls has won a championship inyears.A lot of that is owed to Chance, the indisputable ace of the team. But I know how hard Gunner and the other members have been working, toiling, andyearningfor this win.

And it’s finally here.

Gunner rips his helmet off and tosses it while his teammates descend on him, knocking him to the ice in celebration. The celebrating dog pile breaks and Gunner pushes to his feet, his head immediately swiveling to our side of the bleachers.

His eyes find mine and his lips twitch upward, leaking that pleased, half-smile that’s just for me.

I blow him a kiss.

The smile on his face gets bigger.

“I’ve never seen my son smile like that,” Carol says, sniffing. “I’ve never seen him so happy.”

I hug her again, soothing her back as she loses it.

By the time I return my attention to the ice, Gunner is gone.

He has interviews and fan signing with the rest of the team, so April, Delia, and I hang out in the administration building until the players emerge.

“That was crazy,” Delia says, running her fingers through her silky, black hair. “I don’t know much about hockey, but I feelpumped.”

I wrap an arm around her shoulder. “Welcome to Lucky Falls. You’ll get sucked in and become a hardcore hockey fan eventually.”

April nods in agreement. “It really sneaks up on you.”

We hear footsteps. Chance, Theilan, Renthrow, Watson and Gunner walk toward us.

My heart skips a beat when I spot Gunner. His jersey hugs his broad shoulders and hints at the impressive muscles coiled beneath the sleeves. His hair is still damp and slightly curly over his forehead. As always, his resting face is an intimidating one—focused and dangerous.

But, when his eyes meet mine, he softens in a way that only happens when he’s with me.

“Whoo! Congratulations, guys!” April says as she flies into her boyfriend’s arms and gives him a sweet kiss.

“Congratulations,” I murmur, moving into Gunner’s arms.

He hugs me and kisses my forehead. “Thanks, princess.” He eases back. “I like your jacket.”

“Yeah?” I do a little spin so he can admire my pink bedazzled ‘KINSEY’ jacket that I had custom-made for tonight.

The last time I wore his name on a jacket, I wanted to take it off and burn it. But now, not only am I rocking Gunner’s jersey number with pride… I bedazzled the heck out of it.

“You look amazing.” He pulls me close again.

I grin from ear to ear. “I was hoping you’d say that. I have a pink jacket with my name bedazzled on it in the car for you.”

He gives me a quick, horrified look. “Really?”

“No, I’m just joking.” I laugh and cuddle closer to his chest.

“Hey, guys!” Max says, calling our attention to him.

The bear-sized team manager is not alone. A trim, older woman struts beside him. The woman is wearing red leather pants, bold red lipstick and has cutting, dark brown eyes. She’s far,fartinier than Max, but I sense that she has a personality twice his size.

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