by Aleo, Toni
“For sure,” he agrees, and as I wanted, when we put our wrists together, it’s perfect. I never thought, all those years ago, one day I would be telling her I loved her through a can on a string, but here we are. I lean in, kissing her just as the dude takes another picture.
When we part, her eyes are hooded as she whispers, “I love you, Ash B.”
“I love you, Ally T.”
She kisses me again, and when he hands her back her phone, I hold my breath. She opens her mail and looks up at me. “It’s them.” I’m still holding my breath as she opens it. When the brightest, most gorgeous smile fills her beautiful face, I exhale gratefully. “I got it.”
“Of course you did!”
She jumps up and down until I catch her, lifting her up into my arms. “I can still come back and help with the volleyball team.”
“Yup!”
“And we don’t have to move!”
“I know. Best part.”
She snorts. “And we’ll still be with our families.”
“That’s good too, but we’ll need to stay clear of the girls.”
Her laughter tickles my stomach as she wraps her arms and legs around me. I hold her close, kissing her neck and her jaw. “I’m so proud of you,” I say, kissing her once more. “You finished what you started, and now you’ll have the job you want.”
“And I have you.”
I kiss her neck. “I mean, like Chandler, you’re winning at life.”
She laughs loudly, and I nuzzle my nose in her neck. My heart is exploding for her, and everything seems just right. Perfect, even. “Hey, Ally.” She pulls her head up, cupping my face. “Since you got the job, you wanna do me a favor?”
“Sure,” she says brightly, so giddy.
“Move your ring to your left hand.”
It takes only a split second for it to click, but unlike the reaction I thought I was going to get, she brings in her brows. “And if I had chosen Vancouver?”
I keep my face hard as stone as I say, “I would have asked for it back.” She smacks me hard in the chest, and I laugh loudly, holding her closer. I nip at her nose as she glares up at me. “I kid! I kid!”
She somehow gets out of my arms, smacking me again. “You’re such a brat! And your other plan was asking me in a tattoo shop?”
I grab her hand, pulling her to me as I laugh. She comes into my chest, her eyes burning into mine as I hold her hand, slowly sliding the ring off her finger. “Yes, because I have planned this,” I say as I transfer it to her other hand. “Because every day, I can’t believe this is real. That you’re mine.”
“Oh, Ash.” Her lip starts to wobble as her eyes fill with tears. “I am.”
“I know, and I swear, I’m still scared out of my mind…that this is all a dream.”
Her brows are basically touching. “I thought you were going to say something else.”
I nod. “I know. I planned it that way.”
“I dislike you—greatly.”
“I know. Now, shut up and let me propose.”
“You guys are the weirdest couple I’ve ever tattooed,” Aaron informs us, but in this room, it’s only her and me.
“It’s crazy that I never thought I’d find someone who would complete me so fully. But not only did I find you, you’re my best friend,” I say, cupping her jaw. “It’s bittersweet because you have not only given me someone to love, but someone to lose.”
“You won’t lose me.”
“I know. I put the ring on your left hand.”
She gives me a sly grin. “True. That locks me down.”
“Exactly,” I say, and I can’t stop smiling. I pinch her chin before dropping to my knee. “So, best friend, wanna be my life?”
“You mean wife?”
“Nope, because you’re more than that. You’re everything.”
“Oh, so smooth.”
“I know. So, say yes so I can kiss the living hell out of you.”
She cups my face, running her thumb along my bottom lip. “I’ll never forget this moment, just as I never forget any that include you.”
I kiss her thumb. “Let’s make all the memories, Ally T.” A tear rolls down her face, and I grin up at her. “Say yes, woman. Stop leaving me hanging.”
Her face breaks into a wide smile before she wraps her arms around my neck. “Yes, Asher. It’s only ever been yes for you.”
I stand, lifting her off her feet as our lips meet. I can’t believe I’m so lucky to be in love with the one person who knows me better than anyone else. My best friend. I love her in every way possible, and I know she loves me just the same. As our lips move together, I am certain as long as we’re together, we will have it all.
And that’s all I’ve ever wanted.
The one person to make me feel entirely whole and comfortable.
My life.
My Ally T.
THE END
Also by Toni Aleo
NASHVILLE ASSASSINS
Breaking Away
Laces and Lace
A Very Merry Hockey Holiday
Wanting to Forget
Overtime
Rushing the Goal
Puck, Sticks, and Diapers
Face-off at the Altar
Delayed Call
Twenty-Two
In the Crease
One Timer
Nashville Assassins: Next Generation
Dump & Chase
Power Play
Bellevue Bullies Series
Boarded by Love
Clipped by Love
Hooked by Love
End Game
IceCats Series
Juicy Rebound
Wild Tendy
Taking Risks
Whiskey Prince
Becoming the Whiskey Princess
Whiskey Rebellion
Patchwork Series
(Paranormal)
Pieces
Broken Pieces
Spring Grove Novels
(Small-town romances)
Not the One
Small-Town Sweetheart
Standalones
Let it be Me
Two-Man Advantage
Misadventures
(Standalones)
Misadventures with a Rookie
Misadventures of a Manny
Assassins Series
Taking Shots
Trying to Score
Empty Net
Falling for the Backup
Blue Lines
Acknowledgments
Wow. Everything is a bit crazy, eh?
It’s Day Five without hockey for me, and let me say, the fact that I’m about to write one hell of a game of Alumni versus current Assassins players means I AM STOKED! I need this outlet.
I know it’s insane and I know we’re all a bit worried, but I pray that this book took you away from that. Maybe it helped you ignore the kids a little as they argued and ate all your food. Maybe it filled a small hole in your heart. Maybe it gave you the perfect distraction. No matter what, I hope it helped.
I love you. I am praying for all of you.
Thank you to everyone who has been with me since day one. I couldn’t do it without you.
Thank you & God Bless us ALL.
Wash your hands.
Love,
Toni
About Toni Aleo
My name is Toni Aleo, and I’m a #PredHead, #sherrio, #potterhead, and part of the #familybusiness!
I am also a wife to my amazing husband, mother of a gamer and a gymnast, and also a fur momma to Gaston el Papillion & Winnie Pooh.
While my beautiful and amazing Shea Weber has been traded from my Predators, I’m still a huge fan. But when I’m not cheering for him, I’m hollering for the whole Nashville Predators since I’ll never give my heart to one player again.
When I’m not in the gym getting swole, I’m usually writing, trying to make my dreams a reality, or being a taxi for my kids.
I’m obsessed with Harry Potter, Superna
tural, Disney, and anything that sparkles! I’m pretty sure I was Belle in a past life, and if I could be on any show, it would be Supernatural so I could hunt with Sam and Dean.
Also, I did mention I love hockey, right?
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