Page 278 of Saving Forever with the Hockey Captain

I smile. “Yes.”

Jamie reaches us and holds out his hand. “We have to go.”

Liam glances at the clock. “You just got here.”

“I told you we couldn’t stay long.”

“Where are you taking her?”

Jamie ignores him.

Liam folds his arms and almost sing-songs: “That means it’s a secret.”

“It means it’s none of your business.”

“So definitely a secret,” Paige says.

Jamie helps me to my feet. I look around at everyone. “You assembled all of this in two hours?”

“Toby assembled it,” Becca says.

“Liam ate most of it,” Caleb adds.

“I brought morale.”

“You brought one bag of chips.”

“A party is nothing without chips.”

I laugh and step forward to hug Paige again.

Then Becca.

Toby.

Even Caleb, who stiffens in surprise before awkwardly patting my back.

Liam opens his arms wide. “I assume mine will be the longest hug.”

“It will not.”

“Cruel.”

I hug him anyway. When I step back, his usual grin fades. “I’m glad you’re here.”

The sincerity in his voice catches me off guard.

“So am I.”

Jamie takes my hand again. Toby walks us toward the door.

As we reach it, he puts one hand on Jamie’s shoulder.

They exchange a look. Something quiet and deeply familiar passes between them.

“You good?” Toby asks.

Jamie looks at me. “So much better than good.”