Page 98 of A Million Times, Yes

“Of course,” I replied.

“I won’t keep you, Jordan. I just wanted to say hello and check in.”

“With your favorite grandson,” I threw in for her.

She laughed. “You’ll never hear me confirm nor deny that.”

I dove my fingers into the back of Maya’s hair. “You’ll be seeing me tomorrow evening, Grandma. I’ll be there before Maya’s shift ends.”

“Looking forward to it.”

“See you tomorrow, Bettie,” Maya added.

“Oh heavens, my gal, it’s good to hear your voice.”

“And yours,” Maya said. “Rest up. I’m going to have you dancing tomorrow during my shift.”

“In that case—toodles, you two.”

The line went dead, and I laughed as I returned the phone to my pocket.

“I hope I’m just like her when I’m her age,” Maya said. “She’s so fabulous—mentally and physically.”

“And she loves you.”

She slipped an arm around my neck. “And I love her.” Her smile grew wider. “And I also really love that.” She nodded toward my window.

I turned, looking through the glass, and saw we were passing our arena. A crane was outside, and a team of people were changing the signage on the building. Where it once showed our company logo and our ownership of the Bears, it now had the addition of the Clovers.

“The Worthington name above the Bears and Clovers logos—looks hot, Jordan.”

Another thing that was hot was that we’d never have to deal with Andrew Clover again.

But I replied, “Yes, it does.”

“ETA is three minutes,” Bruce said quietly.

Maya rubbed my earlobe between her fingers. “You’re taking over Boston little by little.”

“I know that’s not your goal. And I know you’re happy right where you are and this isn’t a life that you dreamed of.” I held the back of her head. “But being with me means that your whole life is going to change. And being with you means that my mindset went from doing this all for me to doing this all forus.” My fingers spread and tightened around the locks of her hair. “You’re going to be my wife one day, Maya. You’re going to be the mother of my kids. And this will all be yours just as much as it’ll be mine.”

Her hand left my neck and dropped down until it landed on my heart. “I don’t know what to comment on first ... I can’t get past the kids part.”

“I know it’s what you want.”

She nodded. “Yes. Very much so.”

“And it’s what I want. A couple of future NHL stars.” I winked.

“And if we have girls?”

“My answer doesn’t change.”

She laughed. “Fair.”

“Mr. Worthington,” Bruce said, and we looked toward the front seat, “we’ve arrived.”

I glanced back at Maya. “An hour, tops. Then we’ll be home, where I’ll shred off your dress.”