Page 96 of Never Pucking Ending

The words are mumbled, like she has to force them out and it kills her to do so. But I give her my best smile, ignoring the unimpressed stare, and tell her what Belle came up with.

She doesn’t agree right away, but she does say she’ll think about it. And I know that’s as good as it’ll get for now.

On my way out the door, I side eye the ring section and one particular ring that screams Belle. Rae catches me staring, grins, and shoots me a wink that I pretend not to see as I hold the door open for her to exit.

As we walk down the street, I ask, “Did she really marry her cousin?”

Rae laughs. “Oh, yes. It was quite the scandal way back when they first announced their engagement. Dated for only a few short months before he got her a ring. Woman acts like he was the only one for her since they were eighteen. But we love who we love, right?”

I know that feeling all too well. “Right.”

Rae nudges me with her elbow. “Anytime you or Belle need me to ruff up the locals, let me know. I own more than one building, so I have more authority than they do. They just like to forget that.”

I can’t help but chuckle. “Will do, Rae.”

We stop in front the storefront still covered in newspapers so people can’t peak inside. “What did you decide for the name? Belle said she was going between options but hadn’t chosen yet.”

I crack a smile, can’t help feeling amused by the choice that I’m not sure Rae will understand because it seems like an inside joke. “It’s called the Romance Cottage. The sign should be arriving any day.”

Rae’s brows go up. “She named it after that sexy hockey show, didn’t she?”

My brows pinch. “How did you—”

“I’m old, son. Not dead.” She grins again before walking down the street.

Belle looks up from the blueprints, now alone in the store, when I walk in. “Hi. How did it go?”

Instead of answering her, I say, “Rae knows about Heated Rivalry.”

She snorts. “Who doesn’t?”

I shake my head and walk over to her. “Are you going to convince me to get the guys here for opening day and take inappropriate pictures?”

“I didn’t think of that, but now that you mention it…”

I lean down and brush a kiss against her mouth. “I’m pretty sure you could ask them anything and they’d agree as long as you bake them their favorite food in payment.”

She laughs because she knows I’m right.

“Hey, Jesse?”

I hum against her lips.

“I love you.”

I’ve been screamed that from random people at games or when I’m out to eat, or with friends at bars. I’ve heard them spoken from my father, and once upon a time my mother. It isn’t like I’m foreign to the concept of love.

But hearing it from Belle?

Nothing will ever compare to it.

“Oh, and…” She bites her lip. “I found a stray dog. Before you say no, she’s so cute!”

I sigh. “Belle…”

“If you’re retiring, we’ll have more time for pets. And they say it’s good to start with animals before you have kids.” She grabs ahold of my hand and gives me those damn eyes.

Dammit. “What kind of dog?”