I laughed and slapped his hand. “There is one small problem, however. It still needs a few final chapters. I couldn’t figure out how the characters got everything they wanted, so I guess I needed to think outside the box too.”
“I’ve got an idea,” Leo said, straightening his back.
I raised an eyebrow at him. “Let’s hear it.”
“The hockey player shows up to get the writer back. And then the book ends with their engagement, right on the streets of Oahu.”
“Oh, really?” I said.
Leo stood up and lifted me off his lap, set me down on the bench, and got down on one knee, reaching into his backpack again.
“Yes, really.” He pulled a ring box out of his bag and held it open for me. It was a beautiful square diamond surrounded by a border of small diamonds on a platinum band. “Sophia, I ordered this when I went to get that pregnancy test. On my way to the drugstore I realized that whether you were pregnant or not didn’t matter. I want to spend my life with you, and I should have told you that weeks ago.”
“Are you really asking—?”
“Don’t steal my thunder, Hawaii,” Leo said with a smirk. “I’m asking you to be my wife. You’re it for me. We’re endgame. I love you and I’m planning to marry you, Sophia Grimes, as soon as you’ll have me.”
“Put the ring on my finger,” I said. “This is definitely the perfect ending to my book, and I want to marry you too, Leo Harrison.”
He slipped the ring on my finger and stood up, pulling me with him. He bent down to kiss me.
“Besides, now all the puck bunnies will know this fuckboy is off the market for good,” he said, cupping the back of my head. “The only woman I want beating down my hotel room door is you, Hawaii. In your underwear, if you’re up for it.”
I laughed. “I’ll be waiting in your room in my underwear. Or naked.”
“I can make that work,” he said. “Should we look at wedding venues while we’re here?”
I laughed. “I’ve always imagined getting married on the beach at my dad’s house. But if we get married here, will we be able to get Sloane on a plane?”
“For her only nephew? Of course. And if not, my dad will sedate her.”
Leo lifted me up and spun me around, pressing another kiss to my lips. “Moving here after I retire might mean we never see her again though.”
I laughed. “We’ll visit Boston all the time then too. Your family’s going to want to see all those kids of ours.”
Leo nuzzled my nose as he set me back on the ground. “Random question, but I’m a little worried about my safety. What’s Eric’s opinion of me these days?”
“Low,” I said. “He’ll come around quickly. He liked you a lot, he just did not like seeing me cry for the last two weeks.”
“That’s fair. I think this time when I see your family, I’ll start with,I’m back and I’m in love with Sophia and will be marrying her as soon as possible.”
“That should cover your bases. No more questions from them.” I turned around to face the café figuring we could go tell Kennedy the good news. Unsurprisingly, I saw her standing at the window waving and smiling, Mom and Elena stood next to her. Elena must have told Mom what was happening and decided to show up for the reunion.
I shook my head and looked at Leo who was waving back. “Are you still sure about me? Because they come with package,” I said.
He laughed, starting toward the door. “I’m sure. Your big ass family is my big ass family now. And I’ve got a few people in Boston who are dying to welcome you back to theirs too.”
“I can’t wait,” I said, stopping in front of the door for one more kiss. “I love you, Leo.”
“I love you too, Hawaii.”
Press Release: The Reporter’s Hockey Star
Sophia Grimes, daughter ofbestselling author Danny Grimes, has sold her second novel, a contemporary hockey romance, to Carrissa Highland of Honor Publishing House. The younger Grimes’s first novel, a romantic thriller, will debut later this year. Adding to her credibility as an author of hockey romance, Sophia Grimes is engaged to wed Boston Bruins rookie Leo Harrison in a private ceremony this summer. The two began dating at Boston University and have been together ever since. According to Grimes, they’re a friends-to-lovers story in real life, but I disagree: they were boy-obsessed and one-night-to-forever all the way.
When asked if the book is an autobiography, Grimes simply smiles and says, “You know what’s true and what isn’t, Leo.” She’s right, I do, and there are some parts that certainly feel pretty damn familiar. If you’re looking for a spicy read that’ll make you fall in love with a hockey player, look no further because my fiancée is a brilliant author. Thank you to the Boston Tribune for allowing me to guest write her first interview. Shedidn’t think I could pull it off, but she clearly forgot that I’m a spoiled hockey star. Love you, baby. Congratulations.
Epilogue
