Page 147 of Cole

“And Mom and Aunt Lexi think she’s great, too. They’d definitely approve.” Amelia chimed in.

“I’ll keep that in mind.” Having his family’s approval was great, but he’d be pursuing a future with Annie even if they didn’t approve.

When Annie returned, she noticed the three of them smiling conspiratorially. “What did I miss?”

“Just basketball talk,” Cole said smoothly, catching Benji’s wink.

After lunch, they dropped Amelia off at Charli and Blake’s house before heading back to the estate. Benji immediately disappeared to call his friends, while Annie led Cole through to another part of the mansion he’d yet to see… a large solarium that was filled with an abundance of plants and comfortable furniture.

So far, they hadn’t run into any of the others, which was just fine with Cole. He wanted to spend the time alone with Annie, further discussing what had happened at the service and what that might mean for his career and for them.

Benji’s words echoed in Cole’s mind.When you know, you know.And he did know. Annie was the one he wanted to spend the rest of his life with, and he was quite certain that Annie felt the same way.

As they settled on one of the couches, he smiled at her. The love that glowed in her eyes when she smiled in return warmed Cole right to his bones.

“So,” he began. “How do you see us in the future?”

Her smile faltered a bit. “What do you mean?”

“Do you see our relationship heading somewhere permanent?” he asked. “Is that something you’d want?”

Her brows lifted, widening her beautiful eyes. “Well, yes. That’s definitely what I want, if that’s what you want. Why are you asking me that?”

“Just want to make sure we’re on the same page.”

Annie’s smile was beaming as she leaned against his arm with a laugh. “We’re on the same page, but you’re going to have to talk to my dad to see if he is.”

“Oh, I think I’m growing on him.”

“You are,” she agreed. “I’m not too worried.”

It wasn’t a proposal just yet, because he needed to talk to Duncan and buy a ring. But there was no doubt in his mind that the moment wasn’t too far in the future.

EPILOGUE

Annie leaned forward as she watched Cole fill the screen of the large television in his house. She was there with Benji, Dawn, Andrew, Skylar and Aiden. They’d come to LA to attend the final game of the championships that Cole and his team had won the previous day. Cole had also earned MVP for the playoffs once again.

Pride filled her as she took in his relaxed body language. He wore a white-collared shirt with the long sleeves rolled up to his elbows and a pair of black slacks.

When he glanced at the camera, it felt like he was looking right at her, and Annie felt her heart flutter in response.

“I’m happy to have Cole Halverson with me today,” the woman said. “He and his team have clinched the championship, and he was named MVP of the finals. Welcome!”

“Thanks for having me, Amanda,” Cole said with a smile.

“So first of all, congratulations on the championship.”

“Thank you. I’m so glad we could bring it back to LA after getting so close last year.”

“Rumor has it that this might be the last time you are part of a championship run,” Amanda said, tilting her head to the side as she regarded him.

“For once, the rumor mill is correct,” Cole said with a nod of his head. “I’ve decided not to renew my contract at the end of this season.”

“I’m sure people are shocked by that news,” Amanda said. “After all, many would say you’re at the top of your game, and though you’re in your thirties, you still have lots to offer a team.”

“I would rather go out at the top of my game than have people remember me struggling to perform at my best in a few years. But honestly, that wasn’t the motivation for retiring now.”

“Oh? What was?” Amanda asked. “Because surely it couldn’t be money. The contract you could have negotiated would have been substantial.”

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