Page 178 of Slapshot Bride

The flowers are ranunculus and eucalyptus, cream and green, and a mix of baby’s breath.

He remembers… the flowers that were tucked in my hair the day I got into his car.

My heart skips.

I look closer. There’s a card tucked into them.

My excitement ramps up, and I rush to the sofa, settle into it, and reach for the garment bag first, needing to see what’s in it.

It’s a dress. A deep red. I press a hand to my mouth because it’s beautiful. I reach for the card next and open it.

Riley,

We started this as a lie but somehow, even before the agreement, it was real for me. It has always been real.

Will you let me make this official? Be my girlfriend? Mine forever?

Dinner at six. Wear the red dress, if you want to. Valentina picked it specially for you, by my request. Or you can wear anything you want. I love you, Riley Brooks.

— Easton Blake

I read it three times.

The first time I’m smiling so hard my face hurts. The second time my eyes are blurring, and I have to blink to get through it. The third time I just hold it, the card in one hand and the dress in the other and smile through the tears.

God. I love this man.

I sit with the card a little too long before it finally hits me that I need to prepare for our date.

I put the card on the counter where I can see it, and I put the flowers in water. I take the dress to the bedroom and hang it in the closet.

I’m dressing up to head to the salon when my phone buzzes. It’s Quinn. I haven’t heard from her in almost forever.

I answer it, grinning like an idiot.

“Riley Brooks.” Quinn’s voice fills my ears, warm and loud. “I’ve been very patient. It has been weeks. Are you alive?”

I laugh hard. “I’m very much alive, Quinn.”

“Oh, great! I hear the mid-life crisis is now over. So, you owe me a coffee date. And please, pick a place with good pastries.”

“Is that a way of saying you miss me?” I tease, and I can picture her rolling her eyes.

“I guess we’ll find out tomorrow?”

“Tomorrow’s perfect,” I say, still smiling.

“You sound weird,” Quinn says. “Good weird. What’s going on?”

“I have a date tonight.”

There’s a pause, and then a shriek loud enough that I hold the phone away from my ear, and I’m laughing. Once she’s calm, she's demanding details, and I give her just enough to keep her curious until we meet.

The call ends a few minutes later.

I set the phone down.

The house is quiet again, but I still can’t keep the smile off my face.