Page 136 of Wild Blades

“Absolutely. Marry me, Kali.” He slides out of his chair and drops to the floor. On bended knee, he holds the open box with the most perfect ring nestled inside. It’s one I would pick out for myself. He knows me so well.

“Aunty Kal-Kal is getting married,” Bonnie screams with glee, running out of the living room to tell her mom and dad. “I’m going to wear a pretty dress.”

Tears spring behind my eyes.

“I may not have known you for very long, Kali.”

Just three months.

“But I know I want to spend the rest of my life with you.”

“You’re insane,” I say, not meaning to because his proposal is so casual, so Wade, so us. It’s everything.

“Is that a yes?” I can tell he isn’t worried, not even in the slightest. He already knows how I feel about him.

“Yes.” I nod enthusiastically, holding out my ring finger to slide it on, desperate to make it official.

I drop to the floor on my knees. “It fits,” I sputter. Tears blind my sight, so I can’t see it properly to admire the ring that joins me to this man forever. A lifetime of love, the best sex I’ve ever had, cuddles, laughter, sunrise and sunset walks, vacations together. I’m so happy.

Wade throws his arms around me. “I love you, Kali.”

“I love you, too.”

I squeeze him tight.

“I love you too, Aunty Kal-Kal.” Little arms throw themselves around us. “And you too, Uncle Wade.”

Dana sniffles from the other side of the room. “You guys are too cute.”

“I think I’m tearing up,” Xander declares.

“Can we pick my dress now?” Bonnie asks hopefully, making us all laugh.

CHAPTER FORTY-FOUR

Wade

Superstar NHL player and Supermodel turned publicist announce engagement

Power couple, Kali Roth and Wade Collins announce engagement in emotional social media post

I look out of the plane window and down at the darkened city below that looks like it’s dressed in fairy lights.

“Where are we going?” I glance around the private jet, confused as hell about what Kali has in store for us.

“You’ll see.”

“You know, I only have one day off.” It’s New Year’s Eve. Having just come off the rink, Kali appeared like magic, informing me I had half an hour to get myself outside, where Max was waiting to take us to the airport. I have tomorrow off and need to be back for the second of January for another afternoon game. This season has been grueling and we haveanother six months if we manage a deep run in the play-offs. The off-season cannot come soon enough.

“That’s why we are taking a private jet there and back again.”

“Who owns this?” I ask, running my hands along the cream leather.

“I chartered it.”

“I keep telling you how fancy you are. This proves it.” But what I do want to know is where we are going. I’m shattered. It was a tough game tonight, one we almost lost. My muscles are aching. I need a nap if Kali wants me to stay awake to welcome the New Year. My eyes already feel heavy.

“How long is the flight?” Ushered through a private hangar, there were no boards to check.

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