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Footsteps echo outside the door. We both freeze, holding our breath. Just someone walking past. Then a toilet flushes.

We break out in laughter, the kind you can’t hold back. Nate takes my face in his hands again and kisses me, deeper, rougher, like he’s claiming every unsaid word between us.

I’m flustered, my heart is pounding, and my lips are tingling.

"Do all you hockeyplayerskiss like that?" I murmur, breathless.

He smirks, cocky as hell. "Only the ones who know what the hell they're doing."

I laugh, the sound low and stunned. "No wonder there's a whole damn fan club drooling over you guys."

He grins. "Good. Let 'em drool. Right now, I'm only interested in the girl in this hot blue dress."

"Good answer." I flash him a sly smile. "Might even earn you another round, if you play your cards right."

We return to the party flushed and pretending like we weren’t just mauling each other like horny teenagers.

James raises a brow. "So, where’d you two disappear to?"

Nate grabs a drink. "Bathroom. Very complicated plumbing discussion."

"Must’ve been riveting," Kira says, smirking.

She nudges me. "Mandy, seriously, you’re glowing. Did I see a little hallway disappearing act earlier?"

"Nothing happened," I say, too quickly.

Her smirk grows. "Uh-huh. Sure."

Grace swoops in just in time, passing out champagne. "Connor’s about to give a toast. Everyone’s gathering by the bar."

The DJ dims the lights and a spotlight hits Connor, already raising his glass.

"To the love of my life, the woman who somehow tolerates my locker room stench and still agreed to marry me. Haley, you’re my forever line mate."

Everyone cheers. Haley covers her face, laughing through happy tears.

Glasses clink. James whistles and shouts, "To the guy who somehow landed the girl way out of his league. Connor, what’s your secret, man?"

“Skill, Henderson, pure skill.”

He grins, lifting his glass higher.

James adds. "To our captain, who leads by example on and off the ice, and to Haley, who somehow keeps him humble, sane, and looking like he has his life together. We should all be so lucky!"

Everyone applauds as Connor and Haley give James a hug and a high five.

Then the DJ cues up a slow song.

Nate leans into me again. "Round two?"

I smile, slipping into his arms. "I thought you’d never ask."

And as we sway under soft lights, his hands steady on my hips, I feel it again, that shift.

Something’s changing.

And I’m not sure I’m ready for what it means...