Page 349 of Saving Forever with the Hockey Captain

A playful smile tugs at the corner of her mouth. "Is this where you're finally going to tell me why you've been smiling all day?"

I smile. "Not quite."

When I climb out of the truck and walk around to open her door, she raises one eyebrow. "You're becoming very mysterious."

"I know."

"I didn't think you had it in you."

"Neither did I."

She slips her hand into mine as we begin walking along the narrow path overlooking the lake. The ring feels impossibly light inside my pocket.

My heart...

Not so much.

***

For one suspended heartbeat, the entire world seems to disappear. The breeze stills. The water below us glimmers beneath the afternoon sun. Even the birds seem to fall silent.

Annette simply looks at me.

I look into her eyes, trying to memorize every expression crossing her face. The afternoon sunlight catches the tiny flecks of gold in her hazel eyes, and for a moment I wonder how I ever believed I was lucky simply because I played hockey.

This...

This woman is the greatest gift my life has ever given me.

I reach into my pocket and gently place the worn silver coin in her hand.

She looks down at it curiously, turning it over between her fingers.

"You've been carrying this all day?"

I nod. "My dad has carried it for years, and I wanted a little piece of him with me today."

***

Her thumb brushes slowly across the smooth edge, her expression growing softer with every passing second. She looks up, her eyes already shining.

"Jamie..."

"I've carried it in my pocket all day because it reminds me of what he told me - that the best promises aren't the ones you make once."

I smile. "They're the ones you keep every day afterward."

For a long moment she simply holds the coin between her hands.

Then she whispers, "I love that."

"So do I."

***

I draw a steadying breath before reaching into the inside pocket of my jacket.

This time I take out the small velvet box.