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“My dad told me something last night,” she says. “He said I’m allowed to hold you responsible for the promise you broke, but I can’t make you pay for every person who disappointed me before you.”

I’m beginning to like her dad more than seems wise.

“You also need to know, if you break my heart, he has threatened to write a devastating song about you.”

I take it back. Her dad is terrifying.

“Good to know.”

Eva steps closer. “The thing is, I don’t want one terrible morning to be the end of whatever we’re becoming. Not when you’ve become the person I want beside me for every moment that matters.”

Hope comes at me so fast I don’t trust it.

“Us?” I ask.

“Yes, us.” She draws in a breath. “This is what being together is, right? We don’t pretend no one will ever get hurt. We talk about it, figure out if we can forgive each other, and keep showing up.”

“I can do that.” I reach out and wrap my hand around hers. “I want to do that.”

“I know. I want you to be that.” Her gaze holds mine and the entire world seems to fall silent around us. “I love you, Liam.”

“Wait.” Did my ears get that right? “You what?”

Her eyes widen. “That is not the response I was hoping for.”

“No, I heard you. I think.” Half my brain is trying to convince me I didn’t hear what I think I heard, while the other half screams the words back in her voice. “Please say it again.”

A smile pulls at her mouth. “I love you.”

This time, I’m ready. Mostly.

I slide one hand around the back of her neck, the other around her waist, and pull her against me.

“I love you, too.”

The words come out rough after spending far too long trapped behind my teeth.

Eva searches my face. “You do?”

“I have for longer than what could be considered dignified.”

She laughs, and the last of the distance between us disappears when I kiss her. Eva grabs the lapels on the front of my suit, pulling me hard against her, and I hold her tighter, my mind finally catching up with what is happening.

She came here. She forgives me. She loves me.

Eva Barlow loves me.

One of those would have been enough to get me through tonight. All three might get me benched for smiling during warmups.

When the kiss ends, she stays against me, her forehead beneath my chin.

“You realize, I had to be here,” she says. “It’s your first game as an alternate captain. I didn’t want to miss it.”

“You came for my first game?” My arms tighten around her. “Do you have a ticket?”

Before she can answer, Owen crosses the parking lot in a charcoal suit with his bag over one shoulder.

“See you inside, Snyder.” He spots Eva. “Hey, Eva! Looking forward to brunch tomorrow.”