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“Where to?”

“Some fancy spa a couple of hours south.”

I’m confused by the frown Felicity wears. “What’s the issue with that?”

“I think Kate and Tom want very different things.”

The players begin skating onto the ice as the noise of the crowd picks up and loud music starts to fill the stadium. When I see number sixty-six, my heart rate races. If I wasn’t so terrible at skating, I’d grab a pair and go to him myself.

I tear my gaze away and focus back on my friend. “I guess she’ll have to be honest with him then.”

“Yeah, not that she’ll have a problem with that.” Felicity claps for the boys as they get into position ready for the puck drop.

From the moment the second period starts, I know Zach is a different player. I’ve watched all his games religiously, but seeing him out there tonight tells me the hesitation and uncertainty that spilled over from the hit last season has subsided. He moves with the same purpose I remember from seasons before; he commands the ice like the Zach Evans we all love and the opposition fears. Pride flows out of me, and I watch my boyfriend with awe as he runs the show. I wonder if his control on the ice is a reflection of the stability he’s now found in his life with me. I hope so.

Felicity leans in next to me. “You’re in love with him, aren’t you?”

I don’t even hesitate. “A hundred percent. He’s everything to me.”

She squeals with delight. “Did it just come to you? Like you just knew you had to be here and together?”

I think back to the day of the gala when Felicity said it would happen that way. “You were right.”

“And your mum? Is she on board? Not that it matters—you have all of us in your corner,” she tags on.

I sigh deeply, my shoulders sagging. “No. Well, I don’t think so. We’ve spoken a bit, but as soon as she found out I was moving to Seattle, she hasn’t answered my calls.”

“That’s on her, you know?”

Right at that moment, Jon sinks the puck with a slap shot, making the score two-zero. “They’ll miss him next season,” I say, looking over at Jack, who’s going wild with Darcy.

“They will. But it’s time,” she replies. “He’s carrying a knee injury which is only getting worse.”

We retake our seats, and my eyes find Zach again, swooning at the way he boards one of their players, but my mind travels back to Mom. “I know it’s on her, but it still hurts.”

“Of course it does. It’s amazing how changes in our life can reveal things about people we thought we knew when, in fact, we know nothing about them at all.”

“Why do you always know the right thing to say?”

“It’s a gift,” she says, sitting back in her seat and picking up her popcorn before offering it out to me.

I take a piece. “You’re actually perfect, you know that? Sweet and salty popcorn is my utopia.”

“Kindreds.” She winks. “Seriously though, babe. Let your mum come to you in her own time. Soon she’ll see the error of her ways and that Zach is every bit the man she would want for you.”

“And every bit the man she’s never had,” I add. “And if she doesn’t?”

“Then she’s a fucking idiot.”

I almost choke on my popcorn. “Don’t hold back there, Ms. Thompson.”

“Yeah, well. Kate’s not the only one who can put it straight.”

I look at her with heart eyes. “I’m in love with number sixty-six, but I think I might love you more.”

Tucking a piece of my hair behind my ear, she smiles sweetly. “This is absolutely the right decision for you and Zach. And, if it doesn’t work out,which it will, but if the world somehow implodes and it doesn’t, then we can always get hitched. It’s not too late for me yet.”

“I’m good with that. I think Jon might kill me though.”