Page 94 of Delay of Game

Ash, Eli, Robbie, and Alex are all outside chatting and I narrow my eyes as I step in their direction. The conversation stops abruptly, and my eyebrows fly up.

“Talking about me?”

They all look at me with a mixture of apprehension.

“Okay, what’s going on?” I ask, crossing my arms over my chest.

“When are you gonna propose?” Ash asks bluntly, and I choke on air. Wow, they really were talking about me.

“None of your business.”

“But you will, right?” Eli asks, frowning.

“Of course. What has gotten into you all?” I ask incredulously.

“Well, we just thought you might propose today,” Alex says, hands in his pockets, the picture of nonchalance.

“And take away from her accomplishment? Hell no.”

“That’s—a really good point,” Robbie says, nodding.

“Did you all seriously think I was going to propose to my girlfriend on her book release day, and then back out of it?”

“Well …” Ash ponders.

“A little,” Alex admits, shrugging.

“Kyllä,” Eli mutters in Finnish.

“Sorry,” Robbie says, wincing.

“Wow, unbelievable. Just for that, you’re all gonna stay out here and help me hand out these flyers,” I say, passing them out to each of my friends.

“Excuse me, ma’am, do you like romance books?” Ash yells after a middle-aged woman and Eli swats at him, saying, “Subtle,hani.”

“So there will be a proposal?” Robbie asks me quietly.

I roll my eyes and whisper just for him to hear, “She already said yes.”

EPILOGUE

Two Years Later

Alice

Mid-October may not have beenthe best time for a wedding in terms of weather, but it sure is gorgeous at our cabin. The changing colors of the leaves painted a beautiful mosaic on the drive up, and I smile thinking back on the wedding pictures we took yesterday at Sleeping Bear Dunes.

Our friends are here for the weekend, which is a feat considering Ash and Eli still play in the NHL and Olivia had her first game in the same league recently. Robbie and Alex were more than happy to come up and spend some extra time here as they met with their business partner, Jason, who now oversees the Traverse City branch of Blue Line Brigade.

Malia has led the Thunderbirds to two PVF championships as the head coach for the volleyball team, and she’s happily agreed to be one of my bridesmaids, alongside my old work friend Megan and, of course, Olivia. My rock. My maid of honor.

The air is chilly, but not cold enough that we’d need coats. Yet I still bounce on my feet, waiting around the building for our cue.

“Nervous?” my dad asks, a glossy sheen to his blue eyes.

I blink and roll my eyes. “Not even a little bit.” I smirk, and he pats my hand where it rests on his forearm.

“I’m surprised you guys didn’t elope the day after he got you the house.” He laughs and shakes his head in wonder.

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