Page 88 of Second Chance Faceoff

I untied the scarf, fingers trembling slightly. The box is small, hand-carved, with dark walnut edges and tiny brass hinges that caught the light. It's the kind of thing you’d keep a secret in.

I ran my thumb over the grain, then opened the lid.

Empty.

“Seriously?” I looked at him, laughing. “An empty box?”

Colton stood, brushing dust off his shorts as he walked over. “You think I’d trust a three-ton trickster with the real thing?”

He reached into his pocket and pulled out a small velvet box.

Then he dropped to one knee.

“You’ve followed your heart here,” he said, voice steady, eyes never leaving mine. “Now let me follow mine. Every rink, every city, every dog treat text. I am all in. Riley, will you marry me?”

My breath caught.

I didn't even hear what came after my name. My chest felt tight and wide open all at once. My hands were shaking. It didn’t even feel like a question.

Riley James, don’t faint, I whispered to myself.

“Yes,” I breathed, then louder. “Yes!”

I covered my mouth with both hands, fingertips pressing just beneath my nose. I could feel the heat of tears welling up.

Colton reached for my hand, fingers steady as he slid the ring into place. I watched it catch the light—simple, perfect, completely us.

The elephant trumpeted behind us, loud and joyful, as if she’d been waiting for her cue.

Colton laughed, pulling me into a kiss as the scarf fluttered to the ground.

Somewhere behind us, someone clapped. Another elephant joined the chorus.

I didn’t care. The only thing I could see—could feel—was him.

And the ring on my finger, glinting in the fading light.

Later, we sat on a low bench near the edge of the sanctuary, watching the elephants graze in the distance. The light had that magic-hour glow—like even nature wanted to show off for the occasion.

Colton nudged my shoulder. “So… you’re really going to marry a guy who once got ejected for arguing about a faceoff?”

I leaned into him, smiling. “Apparently.”

He laced his fingers through mine. “You sure you don’t want to wait for someone with a little less baggage?”

I turned my head, kissed his shoulder. “Not a chance.”

We sat there for a while longer.

And I realized something simple and enormous all at once.

This was the start of the life I’d almost talked myself out of.

And I’m so glad I didn’t—because now I get to marry the guy who followed me halfway across the world just to cheer me on.