Page 156 of Lucky Shot
He pulls up his pants and then grabs napkins off another table to clean me up. The clover necklace I gave him hangs around his neck.
“You’re still wearing it,” I say, motioning with my head to his chest.
He looks down and then back to me. “Of course. It’s my version of sleeping in your jersey.”
I laugh lightly. Nick helps me to my feet and then holds out my panties for me to step into. His hands slide slowly up, leaving goosebumps in their wake.
“I wish you could stay longer. I hate not seeing you every day.”
“That’s partly why I came,” he says.
“What do you mean?”
He pauses, staring into my eyes as his teeth work over his bottom lip.
“I love you, Ruby.”
Of all the things I thought he might say, that hadn’t been on the list.
“You do?”
“Yeah, Red. I do. I should have told you before you left, but I kept telling myself we hadn’t known each other long enough for me to feel the way I do about you. But a week without you and I know I wasn’t mistaken. You stumbled into my life and I’m pretty sure I fell in love with you right then and there. I was scared. I’m still scared. I’ve never wanted anything more than I want this.”
Another laugh falls from my lips. I’m giddy, almost delirious with how happy his words make me.
“I’m not even sure if you want the same thing, but?—”
“I want it,” I assure him. “Whatever it is.”
He nods and a half smile tugs at his lips. “I don’t know what it looks like, but I want to make this work. I’m in. All the way. Whatever you want. I’ll figure out how to visit you on every off day, though I’ll be honest, those will be few and far between for a while with the season starting. You can come stay with us whenever you want too. Any time you want. For as long as you want. Or I can get you tickets to games and fly you out to watch or if you are sick of hockey, then we can spend every night on the phone, and you can tell me all about your day. And after the season is over, Aidan and I can come stay with you for the summer. I need you too, Red.”
Molly’s voice comes from the other side of the door as she knocks loudly. “It’s showtime, Ruby!”
I don’t want to go back out there, but I know Molly well enough to know she will break down the door if necessary. There are still so many things I want to say and things I desperately want to hear from him.
“Go.”
“But…”
“You don’t need to answer now. You know my situation and how I feel, but you should take time and think about it. Really think about it, Red. And whatever you choose, I don’t regret a single moment.”
I start to argue that I don’t need time to think, but he keeps going.
“You have so many incredible opportunities coming your way with the book. I’m so fucking proud of you and I want you to enjoy all of that. And your sister is about to have a baby. I know how much she means to you and you’re going to want to make her a priority too. Maybe jumping into things right now is too much for you and that’s okay.”
“No. I…” I shake my head. “I want to be with you too. We’ll figure out how to make it work.”
He rests one palm on the side of my face and presses his lips to mine once more before stepping back. He takes my hand, and we start for the door. Just before we reach it, he pauses.
“I almost forgot.” He pulls a black box from his pants pocket and hands it to me.
“What is it?”
“Open it.”
I flip the top of the jewelry box to reveal a stunning gold necklace with a diamond encrusted hockey stick charm.
“Aidan helped me pick it out.”
