Page 26

Zeke

Four months later

A s the sun dipped below the horizon, the wedding reception came to life under a canopy of string lights. The golden glow cast a warm ambiance over the open field, where round wooden tables were draped in soft linen and adorned with simple wildflower centerpieces in vintage mason jars. The scent of fresh-cut grass, crisp evening air, and a hint of barbecue from the buffet table lingered, mixed with laughter and the easy chatter of guests.

Music drifted across the reception, blending with the soft clink of glasses and the occasional burst of laughter from the head table, where the bride and groom stole quiet, love-filled glances at each other. And guests lingered around fire pits, toasting marshmallows for s’mores, their voices carrying over the rolling Minnesota countryside.

Although Addie looked beautiful in her wedding gown, I had the most beautiful woman by my side. Piper looked gorgeous in her wine-colored dress, which showcased her curves I loved so much. Her lips matched the same color of her dress, and I was having a hard time keeping my hands—and my mouth—to myself.

She tilted her head with a knowing smile. “You’re not being very subtle.”

I raised a brow. “What do you mean?”

Her lips curved, amusement dancing in her eyes. “You look like you’re two seconds from throwing me over your shoulder so you can take me somewhere to be alone.”

“More like one second.” I lunged slightly, just enough to make her squeal—half giggle, half gasp—before stopping short. Her hands flew to my chest, gripping the lapels of my suit as if bracing herself. Instead of following through, I slid my arms around her, pulling her in close. Her warmth pressed against me, and I could feel the quickened rise and fall of her breath.

“Have I told you how beautiful you look tonight?” I murmured, my lips grazing her temple.

“Yes,” she said, her voice soft, “and about every other night too.” She tilted her face up, her gaze locked onto mine with a sappy, love-drunk expression that made my heart clench.

Gosh, I loved being on the receiving end of that look.

It wasn’t just tonight—she was always the most beautiful thing I’d ever seen. Whether she was dressed up or in an old sweatshirt, whether her hair was perfect or messy, with or without makeup—it didn’t matter. She was stunning, but maybe that was because I was hopelessly in love with her. When you loved someone as much as I loved her, it was impossible not to be completely smitten, over and over again.

The past four months had been filled with days texting and nights spent together. We’d learned a lot about each other and about being in a relationship that meant more to you than anything else. There had been some learning curves, but there wasn’t anything that either of us wouldn’t do to make sure we were there for one another. There was a freedom in knowing and trusting in your partner, that through thick and thin, we were invested and committed for the long haul. And getting the experience of being in a relationship like this with Piper felt like a gift every day. One I would never take for granted.

I released my hold on her and took her hand in mine. “Come dance with me,” I said as I began walking us backwards to the dance floor.

She let me guide her, giving me a sweet smile, her eyes never leaving mine. “You know, the last time we were all dressed up and dancing in the middle of a dance floor, you kissed me.”

“Hey, now,” I teased. “I thought we established that you kissed me at the gala. Can I hope for a repeat?”

She pretended to look like she was considering it. “Hmm…the way you got me to do that last time was by sharing something personal, something most people didn’t know.”

“And you want me to do that again?” I asked.

I wasn’t sure what else I could share with her. We’d spent a lot of time talking—in between all the kissing—and I didn’t know if I had anything else I could tell her about. I’d even told her about the time when I sent a hockey puck through Mrs. Whitaker’s window, practicing shots in the street. Still to this day I’d never confessed to it, since Crew had taken the fall for me because he’d known how scared I was for my grandma to find out.

“I already know a lot about you, and you’ve shared a lot with me, but I can’t seem to get enough,” she said. “I want to know all the big and little things in your life, and everything in between.”

It didn’t take me long to think of something I hadn’t told her yet. Something I’d been wanting to say for a while now but had been too scared to speak it out loud.

“And if I tell you something no one else knows, you’ll give me a kiss?”

“Yep.” She stared up at me, her eyes bright as if she were anticipating both my words and my kiss.

I wasn’t nervous that telling Piper I loved her would send her running for the hills, but I did worry she wasn’t ready to say it back to me. I didn’t want to pressure her, and I also hated the thought of her not being able to say the words back.

Through all the progress we’d made individually and as a couple, when it came to our fears about relationships, we both were cautious and wanted to make sure we were conscious of where each other were, not expecting too much. We both wanted our relationship to last, which meant we had to do things differently than we had in past relationships. Although, being in a relationship with Piper wasn’t hard. If anything, it was hard to not want to be with her so much, to not suffocate her. So far, she hadn’t complained and seemed to have the same problem as me when it came to not being able to get enough of each other.

Part of why we couldn’t seem to get enough of each other probably had to do with how busy we both were. She was still just as busy being the Wolves’ physical therapist, and I was working hard on setting up a non-profit organization that would give opportunities to kids who otherwise might not get a chance to step on the ice and play hockey. I’d thrown myself into researching and planning, trying to figure out the best way to provide gear, ice time, and training for kids who couldn’t afford it. I’d been making phone calls, securing partnerships with local rinks, and talking to sponsors. The more I planned, the more the vision took shape. I could already see the first group of kids lacing up skates, grinning as they stepped onto the ice.

It wasn’t just about hockey. It was about giving kids a team, a purpose, a place to belong—just like hockey had given me. And for the first time in a long time, I felt like I was playing for something bigger than myself.

As the night deepened and the late August air cooled, the stars emerged in the vast sky, and I couldn’t think of a more perfect time to tell her how I felt about her.

I took in all her features, memorizing every part of her, of this moment. I lifted my hand and let my fingers trail down the side of her face, tucking the curled strand of hair that framed her face behind her ear, continuing my path along her jaw.

Staring into her eyes, hoping she could see not only my sincerity but my conviction, I said, “I love you, Piper.”

Her breath caught, and her eyes widened. I’d obviously surprised her. I just hoped it was a good surprise.

The silence that stretched between us seemed to drown out the music.

I swallowed. “You don’t have to say?—”

She cut me off by bringing my head down and pressing her mouth against mine. She kissed me so fiercely and so thoroughly that for a few seconds I forgot about my admission.

Pulling back, she looked at me, her eyes glistening with unshed tears. “I love you too, Zeke. So much.”

A grin spread across my face, and my heart swelled with relief and happiness. Piper loved me too. No words had ever sounded sweeter.

“So, you’re saying you fell in love with The Zeke Man,” I stated, my full grin still intact.

Her lips twitched, and if I had to guess, she was fighting the eyeroll that usually accompanied me referring to myself as The Zeke Man. “Yes,” she said, a small chuckle escaping her. “I fell head-over-heels for the one and only Zeke Man.”

I loved how she went along with the ridiculous name I’d given to myself when I was a teenager—and how I had somehow gotten her to fall in love with me.

At some point, we had stopped dancing, although we were still in the middle of the dance floor. But dancing was the last thing on my mind. This amazing woman in my arms, whom I loved more than I thought possible, loved me too, and it was the best moment of my life.

“I promise I’ll never take you for granted,” I told her. “By your side is where I want to be for the rest of my life.” I took one of her hands in mine and held it against my heart. “I’ll love you forever.”

And I meant it. Whether we lasted or not, there was no way I could ever stop loving Piper. She would forever be in my heart. She was the person I had been waiting for my whole life. The one I had longed for. The one who had chosen me and would love me for who I was. Her unconditional love was something I had feared I would never get to experience. But as I stood here with her in my arms and looking up at me like I held her heart in my hand, I knew I would do anything to protect this special gift I’d been given.

I captured her lips with mine, her mouth quickly responding as her body melted into me. Soon we were lost to our kiss, our hearts intertwining more with each passing second, connecting us in a way I was confident could never be undone. I was hers, and she was mine. Forever.