Page 108 of Rookie Move
He made a low growl. “That’s what I like to hear.”
“I’m sorry,” she said, moving a little closer to him. “I heard you might be traded, and I panicked.”
“I know.” He chuckled. “You were in a tight spot.”
“It could still happen.”
“Let’s wait until they shove a plane ticket in my face before we panic. Deal?”
“Deal.”
Most of the seats around them were taken now. But the head honchos hadn’t gotten onto the plane yet. When Silas did, all the other players clapped.
Georgia yawned, wondering whether she could fall asleep during the two hour flight. But Leo fidgeted in his seat. And that really wasn’t like him. “You okay?” she asked.
“Yeah. But there’s something I need to get off my chest.”
That woke her up fast. “Really? What?” When she turned her body to face him, she saw Becca do the same thing across the aisle, curiosity on her face. Whatever Leo had to say, Georgia hoped it wasn’t something too private.
He took a deep breath and let it out. “My timing probably sucks. But I just can’t wait.” He unclipped his seatbelt and rose from his seat.
“Where are you going?” Georgia asked. They’d be shutting the plane’s doors in a minute.
Leo turned around to face her in the aisle, then knelt down. Georgia squinted at him, on the verge of asking him if he’d dropped something, when Leo grabbed her hand. “There’s a real spark between us,” he said.
Was he... “Oh my God!” She clamped a hand over her mouth.
“Will you marry me this summer?” Leo’s big brown eyes sparkled up at her, waiting for an answer.
Georgia actually replayed his words in her head, trying to be sure she’d heard him correctly.
“I wish I had a ring,” he continued. “I always wanted to do this right. I had it all planned out once. When I was eighteen, I thought I wanted to take you stargazing in my truck and pop the question. But I don’t want to waste any more time...”
“YES,” Georgia said, shaking off her shock.
Becca gave a loud, shrieky squeal and Leo grinned widely.
“Holy fuck,whatis happening here?” Castro demanded from the row behind them.
Someone started to clap, and then someone else joined in. The sound of applause rose as Leo stood up, then leaned over the seat to kiss her.
Georgia lost herself in the taste of happiness for a moment. Leo cupped the back of her neck and angled hismouth to fit against hers. But he began smiling so hard that he lost focus, and Georgia laughed. “Love you, babe. Always have,” he rumbled.
“Coach!” somebody yelled. “Looks like you’re paying for a wedding.”
“What?” her father’s voice barked, and Georgia stiffened. The plane got quiet.
Leo stood up slowly, his hand still a warm presence on her neck. He cleared his throat. “I should have asked you first. But I’ve always been impulsive.”
Georgia watched her father’s face cycle through the entire range of human emotion in about four seconds. Then it reshaped into its usual crusty visage. “Boys, you’d better make it to the play-offs. I’m gonna need that bonus money to throw a party. If you clear the semis, I’ll spring for the good whiskey.”
The jet erupted with laughter.
Leo sat back down, and pulled her into a hug. “You gonna be a bridezilla?” Leo asked.
“What do you think?”
“My girl doesn’t like a fuss. But I’ve heard that weddings make people crazy.”
