Page 23 of The Pucking Girl Next Door

"Yes. We begin construction next week, after Christmas."

"And the job?"

"I actually got a job working with Smith's hockey team the Dallas Blades. I'll be working as a data analyst."

"That's so exciting."

I've never been more thankful for Annabelle and Kimberly. If it was just my dad and I sitting here we would've just talked a bit about hockey and then been silent. With these two we don'thave to carry the conversation, and it helps to avoid the awkward silences, that neither of us knew how to fill.

Annabelle then grabs my hands and gives me a sexy smirk and I already know what she's going to say. "We have one more announcement. We're getting married," she says as she holds up her hand, she's wearing the same ring my dad used to propose to my mom. A princess cut a sapphire ring with a halo of small diamonds around it. It looks perfect on my woman's hand.

Tears fill my dad's eyes. I mean he knew I was going to do it because I asked him to mail the ring to me, but to see him this emotional, I know that I did the right thing in asking for my mom's ring.

Both Kimberly and my dad get up from their seats. "Congratulations," they say in unison. "We're so happy for you."

Kimberly and Annabelle break off to talk about wedding plans when my dad wraps his arms around me, pulling me in for an unexpected hug. "I'm proud of you son. Your mom would've loved her."

"Thanks, Dad," I reply, returning his hug. One year after Annabelle crashed back into my life, it feels like everything is exactly how it’s supposed to be.

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