Page 88 of Claiming Her Cougar
Questions start, and Teagan and Jake handle them.I look over the crowd again just to torture myself, and my heart stops.
Mallory’s here.Her smile is huge, and even across the room, I can see her eyes shining with tears.
She waves and mouths, “Sorry!Crazy traffic!”
I smile back.Hell, there’s no holding back the smile on my face now.Daphne follows my line of sight and sees Mallory.She practically skips on her way to hug her and lead her over to the family where my parents welcome her with hugs of their own.
A reporter from one of the Philadelphia channels stands to ask a question.“Devil Birds is a unique name.I assume it plays in part to the Jersey Devil legacy Teagan Penhall is part of, and the prevalence and reputation of seagulls here at the Jersey Shore.Who came up with it?”
I step forward.“You got it exactly right, Jim.My girlfriend came up with the name, and as soon as we heard it, we knew it was perfect for the team.She didn’t know she was naming a hockey team.She was teasing Jake, but sometimes things are unexpectedly perfect.”
Finally being able to claim Mallory as my girlfriend is one of those unexpectedly perfect things.
We field a few more questions and hand out the media packages to wrap up the press conference.I walk over to where Mallory’s standing with my family.I ignore everyone’s congratulations and do what I’ve been longing to do for weeks.I wrap Mallory in my arms and kiss her as if my life depends on it.Because it does.
I’m sure there are hoots and catcalls and other obnoxiousness in response to our very public display of affection, but I don’t care, and from the way Mallory’s kissing me back, she doesn’t care either.
When we finally come up for air, Mallory pulls back.“You’re really resigning from Morgan Development?We aren’t going to work together any longer?”
“It’s time for something new.I’m hoping it’s with you.”
Mallory’s happy nod tells me what I need to know.
I try to clear the lump in my throat.“You’ve officially been my girlfriend for about four minutes.Is it too soon to tell you I love you?”
No one ever told me that someone could sob with happiness, but apparently Mallory Carter can.
She grasps my face and kisses it all over while laughing.
I laugh in return.“So not too soon?”I ask.
“I love you too, Liam!”
There’s a squeal of happiness to my left.I guess that proclamation got Mom’s attention.If I know her and Aunt Holly, they’re going to start trying to plan our wedding.
I’m okay with that.
EPILOGUE
Mallory - Eighteen monthslater
I can’t believe it’s the first game of preseason.Everyone’s worked so hard to get us here.The Sand Dollar Pier is affectionately known as the Nest since it’s the home ice of the Devil Birds.The renovation is incredible.The rink is state-of-the-art and the envy of many NHL teams.We were able to get the variety of tenants we wanted on long-term leases.Everything’s perfect.
Liam’s been working so hard to assemble the best team possible and have them ready for tonight’s first game.This preseason game against the Salem Spellbinders won’t count toward the standings, but of course we want to win our first game ever.That it’s our first home game in front of friends and family makes it even more special.I can’t wait to see Liam after the game to either celebrate the victory or help him forget the loss.Either option will include the special Devil Birds jersey I had made with his last name on the back acting as lingerie.
“Go, Trev!”Ethan yells.
“There’s Uncle Trevor!”Matt cries out, pointing.
The teams have just entered the ice for warm-ups.My family’s here in the owners’ box, all wearing our Carter #24 jerseys.I’m so proud of my younger brother.Trevor graduated law school at the top of his class.I swear, as soon as he received notice he passed the bar, he negotiated his contract with the Devil Birds.He’s the first-line center.It’s great seeing him back on the ice competitively again.
“When do the coaches come out?”Daphne asks.
“I think after warm-ups,” I say.
The team looks snazzy in their blue-and-gray jerseys.They chose the colors to reflect the Atlantic Ocean right outside our door.Looking out over the sold-out crowd, I see a lot of the jerseys being worn by the fans, and my heart swells with pride.They did it.They took this crazy dream and made it happen.
Kind of like our relationship.When we hooked up that night in Vegas a couple of years ago, I didn’t think we’d ever find each other again.Thank goodness fate had other plans.
