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“I’m gonna miss you too.” My eyes stung, and I squeezed my brother, willing to make sure we stayed in contact. Families did long-distance all the time. “Be good, okay?”
“No promises.” He sniffed and ran a hand over his face. “Let me know when you get there, okay?”
I nodded. I glanced around the quad one more time, and a heavy lead weight grew in my feet. I was so excited about the future, my life with Theo. But leaving was shutting this chapter of my life, where I found myself again. I learned what I liked and didn’t and who I was without the grief of losing my dad. I discovered how to have healthy relationships with people and that hope was okay. My mouth trembled just as a familiar figure walked toward us from the parking lot. Theo.
My heart skipped a beat seeing him. His looks were the first things people saw. His chiseled jaw and dusty light hair, always styled and perfect. And his eyes. I was a sucker for his eyes. But it was his heart that captivated me. The way he cared for his family, for me. How he’d sacrifice himself to help those around him. I couldn’t believe that we’d found each other, and I made sure to show him how much I appreciated him every day.
He loved head scratches and bowls of cereal with color-changing spoons. He hated leftovers but was obsessed with flavored popcorn. Seeing his mom always upset him the day of, but his steps were lighter the rest of the week. His siblings made him laugh the most. But seeing him with his dad was the best. Having a relationship after heartbreak or betrayal was precious. We coached each other through it, me with Quentin and him with his dad. Love was still possible after hurt.
“There you are, woman.” He grinned as he neared, and my breath caught in my throat. The sun glinted off his blond hair, and his blue eyes glistened. “Hey, Q, you say goodbye?”
My brother nodded. “Drive safe. Take care of her.” He held out a hand, but Theo yanked him into a hug.
“Visit soon. There’s so much to do in the city. It’s gonna be unreal.” Theo slapped my brother on his back before he cupped my face and kissed me. It didn’t matter how many times we had kissed, every time I levitated just a little bit.
“Okay, chill, I’m right here.”
Theo laughed against my mouth and wrapped his arm around my waist, holding me tight against his chest. “Can’t help it.”
“Ugh. You guys are gross. I gotta head out before I have a meltdown, but let me know when you arrive in Minnesota, okay?”
I nodded and met Quentin’s eyes one more time. My own filled with tears, and I threw my arms around him for one more hug. “I love you, Q.”
“You too, sis.”
He passed me to Theo, who held my flowers and me, as I let a few tears fall. He kissed the top of my head, squeezing me tight. “Are you sure you want to move with me? You could stay here, and I can visit every weekend.”
“No. No.” I stood on my toes and gripped his chin. “I want to be where you are. We’ve discussed this. I’m just having more feelings than I anticipated.”
“Well, we know big feelings are okay to have.” He arched a brow. Penny went through some big feeling moments where she was terror, and it became our little catchphrase. Big feelings were hard. “We can leave whenever you’re ready. Take your time. I just want you with me. That’s all I need.”
“Are you nervous?” I whispered.
“About moving to another state with you? No, baby. Not even a little. I’m fucking excited. They have two incredible hospitals that are hiring, and I even talked to my agent about making a connection for you. They also have two public libraries we can visit. They also have a bunch of activities for the partners of the players, like there’s a picnic next week. I can’t wait to go to all of that with you. I’m pumped to play hockey, sure, but starting my life with you is more exciting.”
I swallowed down the ball of emotion. This man was everything. “You looked into the hospitals?”
“Of course, I did.” He chuckled. “We’re doing this together. You’re my home, Audrey. You’re my girl. Soon to be fiancée I believe.”
“Theo.” I blushed and swatted his chest. “Don’t just throw around that F word.”
“Why the hell not?” He tickled my side, making me yelp. His gaze softened, and he kissed me softly again. “Do you not want to be my wife someday?”
“I mean, sure, yes, of course.” I gulped. “What is going on? Are you—you proposing?”
His eyes gleamed. “Not yet, no.”
“Why do you look mischievous?” I sucked in a breath, and my skin prickled with awareness, like someone stared at me. “What’s going on?”
“You should look in the bag.” He held out the gift my brother gave me.
“The bag from Quentin?” I tilted my head. My head spun. Was this heatstroke? Had I drunk water? How warm was it outside? Throwing around words like fiancée and wife and not yet. “Theo. Theo.” I breathed hard, my pulse erratic. “I-I-I don’t understand.”
“You will soon.” He winked. The bastard winked and jutted his chin toward the bag. “Look in it, please.”
With shaky hands, I pulled out the scrubs my brother referenced. Then, there was a small box at the bottom of the bag. Oh my. My eyes about bugged out of my face. We had never talked about marriage. I mean, we did in the middle of the night after having sex, but like, that was a fever dream.
Hell, last week, we talked about wanting kids someday. Someday, like ten years from now. Not. Now.
