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Mia surprises me by rushing up and tackle hugging me, nearly knocking both of us over as my stool tilts to the side. “I want it, too,” she whispers into my sweater. “I want the whole package.”
“Wow,” Maddox says loudly enough that I’m almost positive the camera will pick it up. “He hasn’t given her the whole package yet? Like, they were just doing the tip this whole time?”
“Just the tip, man,” Carter says. “Tale as old as time.”
I unclip the mic box from my belt and tug off the wire, then hug Mia back with both arms.
She squeezes harder, words muffled against my sweater. “You didn’t have to retire, you big idiot.”
“I’m not sharing you. Not even with hockey. Deal with it.”
“She wants that package!” Maddox roars, pumping his fist up in the air. “Give it all to her, Nolan! The big gun!”
She pulls back, blushing as she looks up at me. “If I knew you were going to do something romantic like this, I would’ve dressed nicer.” She gestures at her oversized sweater and leggings.
“I wouldn’t change a thing about you,” I say, kissing her forehead.
“Awww,” Andi says. “This is super cute. I feel like we’re watching a romance movie, minus Maddox and his stupid commentary, that is.”
“Yeah,” Carter says. “But it’s one of those romance movies with explicit sex scenes, and it’s like we’re watching it on the couch with our parents. Do we cover our eyes with a pillow, or just stare at it and wish we were dead inside?”
“I don’t mind watching,” Maddox says, popping some food in his mouth.
“Um,” Mia says, still holding onto me but looking over her shoulder. She looks back at me. “I appreciate the public gesture, but could we finish this somewhere more private?”
The camera crew and Erin are watching us all. I realize one of them has turned the main camera to face us and someone is in the process of trying to angle a big light in our direction.
“Yeah,” I say, agreeing. “We’ll catch you guys later.”
Maddox grumbles his disappointment, but nobody else says anything as I take Mia’s hand and lead her to a door at the edge of the room.
I pull it open and find an empty hallway.
I close the door and press Mia’s back against it, kissing her deeper this time.
“My heart is beating so fast,” she says, laughing a little.
“Mine too,” I admit. “You still mean everything you said back at the rental? You want to give it a try with us?”
She laughs. “You just basically retired from hockey because you want to move to my hometown and cook with me at Taste. You did all that and you’re not even sure I meant what I said?”
“Some things are worth the risk.”
She bites her lip, then nods. “I meant it all. I still do.” The hint of a smile touches her lips. “Some things are definitely worth the risk,” she echoes.
I kiss her, trailing my fingertips down her cheek because I almost can’t believe I have her here–that I have her like this.
“Then you’re all mine,” I say.
“All yours,” she agrees. She pauses. “You really don’t have to retire because of me, Nolan. I was willing to give things a try just like they were when we talked at the rental. I don’t want you to feel like you’re setting your dreams aside because of me.”
I stare down into her eyes. “Maybe my dreams aren’t on the ice anymore. Maybe they’re wherever you are.”
She kisses me and wipes at her eyes. “These are happy tears, by the way.”
I gently wipe at her cheek with my thumb. “I know we’ve only been officially dating for about three minutes, but I want to say something to you.”
“Okay,” she says, holding her breath.
