Tonight was a home game. As he skated out, he couldn’t help but grin—pumping his arms to increase the crowd’s roar. Damn, it felt good to be back in the arena, gazing up at a sea of white-and-navy fans. He nodded to the mascot, hyping up the crowd in the stands—officially called Highness, but everyone in Austin knew him as the Puck King, with the rowdiest fans often adding a lewd gesture. Tuck turned around, scanning for where Nora should be—he’d given her two ringside tickets behind the net, one for her and the other for the friend she was bringing along.
After about thirty seconds, he spotted her—and it was as if the ice melted beneath his skates. Lizzy stood next to Nora, wearing his jersey and shaking a giant foam hand giving a number one sign. For once in his life, he didn’t trust his eyes. He closed them tight and counted to five. She was still there. His heart thundered so loudly he couldn’t hear the crowd’s roar or the pulsing music.
How? What?
Lizzy threw her arms over her head, waving first wildly and then frantically.
He glanced over his shoulder. Fuck. Face-off. The game had started.
He’d never played for anyone else before. Winning for himself always seemed to make everyone else happy enough. But today? He wanted to impress a girl. He was going to put up a brick wall in front of the net. And he did.
When they finished the game 3–0, Toronto going home empty-handed, he threw himself at the boards, tearing off his helmet. Lizzy stood on the other side of the tempered glass, so close he could drown in her baby blues, yet he couldn’t get his hands on her. He wasn’t with her. He wasn’t holding her. He sure as hell wasn’t kissing her until he’d ripped off his uniform and changed at light speed, avoiding the reporters circling after his performance and charging out to meet her.
“I found you,” she managed to say before he crushed his mouth on hers, and for the first time since he left her, he felt like himself. Her soft lips tasted like fruit ChapStick, new, but he didn’t mind. It was still Lizzy. His Lizzy.
He braced her face between his hands. “I love you.”
Her big eyes widened even further. Maybe he was rushing the moment, but the missed opportunity had weighed on his chest. “I love you, and I should have told you that before I left. I was an idiot, and I’m never going to miss a chance to tell you the truth again.”
“I... I love you too.”
He had to have his mouth on hers again. He kept his arms wrapped around her lower back, though his hands ached to touch her all over, to reassure himself that this was real. She was really here. They were getting this second chance.
“Toss me your keys, big brother,” Nora chimed in. “I’ll be designated driver as long as you don’t traumatize me while you’re in the back seat. Any funny business and I’m dropping you on the nearest curb and calling you an Uber.”
As they walked to his parking spot, he knew everyone was watching him holding Lizzy’s hand, wondering who the hell she was. His team would have questions, and so would the media. But everyone could wait because this was his time, and right now, he got to ask the questions.
“How? When? What?” he asked as they slid into the back of his Jeep.
“I decided you were worth risking plagues and the other perils of time,” she said in a teasing voice. “If I can give credit, it was Jane who made me see reason. You are my lodestone. I trusted and dove in.”
“That’s JaneAusten,” Nora piped up from the front, turning out of the underground parking garage and onto the street. “Just so everyone is clear.”
“Yes, Nor,” Tuck said. “You can have your fan time, but right now I’m gonna have mine.”
“I must admit, I was previously at a loss to fully grasp the nature of your endeavors.” Lizzy was watching him raptly, eyes bright. “The grandeur, the brilliance, the roar of the crowd, and the speed of movement—all were quite beyond my comprehension. Yet, having now witnessed it firsthand, I find it exhilarating. It is now apparent to me what you meant in saying that your occupation involves impeding a puck.”
“Yeah? Good.” He was pleased she liked to see him play and had watched him doing the thing that he was second best at. “It’s pretty cool seeing you in my jersey. And the hat looks all kinds of cute.” He tugged the side of her Regals beanie.
“And these jeans?” Lizzy ran her hands over her thighs. “Your sister let me borrow hers, and they are so practical. They make moving around so much easier, although they are a bit tight on my waist. I do prefer the other kind better. What are they called again, Nora? The stretchy ones?”
“Leggings.” Nora glanced in the rearview mirror, her expression amused but fond.
“And no corsets! And I learned about deodorant. And I have been trying ever so many toothbrushes. Your sister taught me how to use a curling iron and mascara. Oh, and I have gotten to try on the panties you told me about. I can show you if—”
“I’m sure my brother would love to have a close inspection,” Nora broke in. “But that can be for your special alone time, hmmm? Not for a special little-sister-in-the-front-of-the-car time. Hard pass, people. Hard pass.”
Tuck threw his arm around Lizzy, drawing her close, unable to fully believe she was beside him. “Tell me about your crossing.”
“The lodestone theory worked. I came directly to your time, but precisely six months later. Quite useful to confirm this lag, really, because I can’t risk overstaying and finding the pond frozen come winter!”
“Wait.” His chest tightened. “You aren’t staying?”
“Yes. And no.” She reached out and touched his cheek, roughing her hands over the beard he’d been growing for luck. “I would not have thought I’d like all this hair, but I very much do. It suits you. Very Viking.”
“Thanks, but let’s keep focused on the you-not-staying part of the conversation.”
“Yes.” She sat back in the seat, fiddling with her seat belt strap. “I came to the slow realization that I desire everything life has to offer. I wish to be your wife and share my life with you.” Herwords tumbled out in a rush. “However, I cannot forsake my identity or my desire to live among friends or in my own time. Therefore, throughout the year, I shall come to you, and we shall seize those opportunities to be together. And as your schedule permits, you may visit me as well? Let us discuss such plans in due time. All that matters now is that we have this moment, and know that we shall have more ahead of us.”
