Page 137 of A Heart Worth Finding
“You can’t give up hockey.”
“I’m not,” he said, and Jessica cocked her head, confused. “Late last night, I accepted an offer to play with a team in Saint Petersburg.”
The tears flowed freely now, and Jessica wrapped her arms around him, burying her face in his chest. She inhaled deeply, exactly as she had last night, when she had thought she was saying goodbye. Now, instead of branding the smell and feel of him on her memory as a way to get her through the long days and nights without him, she was comforted by the factthat she would always be surrounded by it. That this man—this ridiculous hunk of a man—was giving up a straight shot to the NHL to follow her across the world.
Tilting her head, she looked into the face that had become more precious to her than anything else. “What did I do to deserve you?”
“You took a spring break trip to Mexico and got really lucky,” he said with a wink and a kiss pressed to the tip of her nose.
She playfully shoved him away, but he caught her wrist and pulled her back in, capturing her mouth in a slow, searing kiss. Last night, she’d savored every press of their lips, every touch, every smile, and every word he spoke, knowing each one might very well be the last. Now, she savored this simply because she knew with certainty that she’d get to do it whenever she wanted, that she wouldn’t have to go days or weeks or months missing him. She’d never have to know what it was like to be in a long distance relationship, to survive on FaceTime sex and birthdays and anniversaries celebrated through the mail. Digging her fingers deeper into the material of his shirt, she held on for dear life, knowing now that she’d never have to let go.
They broke apart only when someone cleared their throat nearby. Sheepish, Jessica turned in Jack’s arms and faced her sister and brother-in-law.
“Hate to break up this little love fest,” Brent said, gesturing between them, “but we really have to go if you guys don’t want to miss your flight.”
Jessica tilted her head and looked up at Jack again. “What do you say, DeLuca? Wanna move to Russia with me?”
Jack grinned, the corners of those cornflower blue eyes crinkling. “I thought you’d never ask, Daniels.”
LATER: New Year's Eve, 2025
Two years to theday since he and Jessica had reunited, Jack rose like it was any other morning. He woke Jessica with his head between her thighs, as he’d been known to do when they didn’t have much time in the morning but he wanted to make her feel good before she left for work. Plus, two years with this woman would never satiate him. He would forever crave her.
They eventually dragged themselves out of bed, and he made breakfast while she showered and got ready. They ate, Jack gathered his things for practice, and they walked out the door of their flat together, pausing at the threshold to share a kiss before they went their separate ways.
During practice, Jack tried to give it his full attention, but his mind was elsewhere.
Namely, the fact that he was going to ask Jessica to marry him tonight.
Honestly, he should’ve done it years ago, but they were young and still figuring out what they wanted out of life and each other.
But it was time. At least, Jack thought so. Jessica had given no indication she knew what was coming, nor had she ever even brought up the prospect of getting married. Although, Jack assumed that was because he’d moved halfway across the world to be with her, and she felt selfish asking for more than what she thought he wanted to give, not because she didn’t actually want to marry him.
What she still didn’t seem to realize was that he’d give her anything and everything.
He was confident she’d say yes, if a little unnerved by the prospect of asking.
After practice, he rushed home to shower and change. There was no need for it; Jessica wouldn’t be back from teaching for hours yet. But he had errands to run, an entire flat to decorate, and a meal to cook.
As he twisted the knob on their apartment door, arms laden with reusable grocery bags, his phone rang. He quickly and unceremoniously dropped everything in the middle of their living room and pulled the phone out of his pocket.
“Did you do it yet?” Kenzie asked by way of greeting.
“No!” Jack said, heaving a sigh. “You do realize it’s only like three p.m. here, right?”
“Fuck,” Aiden said in the background. “I told you we called way too early.”
“Isn’t it like…eight in the morning there?”
“Yes,” Kenzie said, somewhat defensively, and Jack laughed.
“What are you two doing awake so early?”
“Fuller has a game tonight, so he’s gotta go in for skate.”
“Ahh, that’s right,” Jack said, remembering that the Warriors played a home New Year’s Eve game every year.
Jack smiled and relaxed onto his and Jessica’s ancient thrifted couch while Kenzie and Aiden prattled on about what was new with them.
