Page 98 of Stick Fight

“These high-end, playful designs were created by the incredibly talented Gabby Evans,” he announces. “She’s built a brand that merges style with sport, and layers it with family and love. She’s carved out something new, something real.” His eyes hold mine. “And she’s the woman I love.”

The crowd lets out a collective gasp. I feel like the floor drops out beneath me.

The woman he loves.

Noah jumps to his feet and swings open the rink gate.

Josie nudges me. “Go take your bow.”

“I…” My voice fails. My feet won’t move.

But then I’m standing. Then I’m walking. And the gate clicks shut behind me. The cold of the ice seeps through my shoes, but I barely feel it. Roman’s hand is extended, waiting.

I don’t take it. Not yet. I’m blinking through tears as the kids come rushing up, arms open, cheering. Maeve slides in beside me, gives my hand a squeeze.

“We all love you, Gabby.”

The words hit me harder than I expect. A wave of warmth crashes over the fear.

“But… how? Why?”

Maeve, Grant, Dani, and Conner usher the kids gently off the ice, giving us space. Roman steps forward. His eyes don’t leave mine.

“Gabby,” he says softly. “I found your designs, your notes. I’m so proud of you. You have no idea. What you’ve created here, it’s magic. You took an idea and made it into something unforgettable.”

“Actually, Roman,” I manage to get out. “It was something you said that sparked the idea.” He angles his head. “When you talked about having to dress up as a kid in uncomfortable clothing.”

“Gabby,” he breathes out, his voice wavering now. “I thought I lost you. When I saw those photos of you and Cass… I thought I’d pushed you back to him. I spiraled. I panicked. I made the biggest mistake of my life.”

My chest tightens so hard I can barely breathe. “You… you got married in Vegas, Roman,” I whisper, voice cracked. The crowd fades. The lights dim in my mind. This is the moment everything could break, or mend.

“No,” Roman says, his voice low but steady. “I didn’t, Gabby. I didn’t marry her. It wasn’t real.”

My breath catches.

“What you saw, that wasn’t what it looked like,” he goes on, stepping closer. “I tried to find you. I tried to explain. But this…” he sweeps his arms wide, motioning to the glittering runway, the crowd, the camera, “…this is me showingyou. Showing you how much I love you. How much I believe in you. This is me supporting your dreams, Gabby. Your vision. Everything you are.” Tears prick my eyes again. “All this,” he continues, his voice breaking. “It’s you. You did this. This is the real you. I thought I was holding you back. That one day you’d resent me… and the whole time, you were showing me what I meant to you. Whatwe all meant to you.”

“Roman…” I whisper, my throat thick with emotion.

“I wanted the world to see you,” he says, stepping closer still. “I couldn’t open doors for you in high-end New York fashion. But here in Boston…” He smiles faintly. “I can open a window. And maybe even blow it wide open across the NHL. Every team. Every kid who wants to wear something that makes them feel proud of the teams they support. You pivoted, Gabby, and it wasbrilliant.”

I glance toward the camera, still trained on us, the red light blinking like a pulse. When I turn back, Roman is holding out his hand again, palm up.

“I talked to Cass.”

That stops me cold. “You…talkedto Cass?”

He lets out a quiet, sheepish laugh. “You wouldn’t take my calls. I needed to know you were okay, so I hunted him down.” His eyes drop for a second, voice dipping into a softer register. “I’m sorry. I’m sorry I didn’t trust you. But that was aboutme,not you. I had ghosts I hadn’t dealt with. But I’ve slain them, Gabby. Every single one.”

I press my hand gently to his cheek, that familiar scruff rough under my palm. “I’m sorry I assumed the worst too,” I murmur. “No more ghosts,” I add with a small, watery smile.

He laughs softly, his eyes lighting for a beat before turning serious again. “Cass told me he offered to help you get back into bridal design. That he wanted to open doors for you in that world again.”

I shake my head. “That’s not what I want anymore.”

Roman raises an eyebrow. “That’s a problem, Gabs.”

My stomach flips. “Why?”

---