Page 368 of Saving Forever with the Hockey Captain

"Six?"

"Toby finally slapped his hands."

I laugh harder.

"Liar."

"I am many things." She grins. "A liar isn't one of them."

Somewhere from below, I hear Liam's unmistakable voice.

"...if anyone cries before the bride gets here, you owe me twenty bucks."

Another voice answers.

"Liam!"

"What?"

"Stop taking bets at a wedding."

"I'm building team morale."

Even Dad laughs.

The sound settles my nerves more than I expected. The Blizzards. Still themselves. Even today.

Becca touches my arm.

"They're waiting."

The words land gently. Not with pressure. With promise.

We continue toward the closed double doors leading to the ceremony.

Just outside them stands Coach.

His suit is perfectly pressed. His eyes are already suspiciously bright. When he sees me, he removes his glasses, looks at me for a long second.

Then smiles. "Well..."

His voice is rough. "Our captain never stood a chance."

I laugh through tears. "No. He really didn't. I love him.”

“I know.” Coach smiles. “That's what I needed to hear.”

He pats my father's shoulder.

"You've raised an incredible daughter."

Dad smiles quietly. "We're pretty fond of her."

Coach chuckles. "As you should be."

He steps toward the doors where the mothers and Jamie’s dad have been escorted to their front row seats.

Then he pauses and looks back at me one final time.