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Epilogue

Cam

I’ve wracked my brain for a month about what to get a billionaire for her birthday. Google searches are not helpful on that front, even the few that don’t assume the billionaire is male.

It’s February, and we lead our division giving us a path to the playoffs. I’m more tired than I’ve ever been at this point in the season, but I’m revved about making the post-season our first year. Not to mention what that’ll do for sponsorship opportunities. I’ve had some interesting requests from Arthur Murray and the like after the guys posted snapshots of our dances on Instagram, but my agent is holding out for the big bucks for hockey-relevant contracts like a sports drink.

Chris’s birthday is in a few weeks and I’m still clueless. Her brother isn’t much help, his budget is different. He got her a year’s supply of her favorite wines delivered to her little house, so she’ll stop raiding his wine closet. Checking to see if Chris is still in the bedroom, I start a new group text.

Birthday Phone-A-Friend

Can y’all help please? What do I get Dancer for her birthday? I know I should know this, but I’m struggling.

Mattie

I kinda figured it would be a ring…?

I wish. I’m dying to get on a knee and promise her the rest of my life, and I am almost certain she’ll have me. I’m still paying rent for my share of the rental with Jack, but I’ve moved all my stuff in to “the poolhouse” as we jokingly call it while we look for our house. Jack’s jokes about me being the Donovans’ pool boy are endless, but I don’t care. I’d be her pool boy any time.

I keep my mail at the rental, though, just in case some reporter or rabid fan searches out my home address. Chris’s idea, not mine. She’s super protective of my reputation.

No. She insisted we wait until after my next contract is signed, and my agent agreed with her. So after the season.

Mattie

Lingerie, then? Diamonds? Lingerie with diamonds?

Nicole

rolling eyes emoji Lingerie is a gift for himself. Maybe try something that SHE wants.

Yeah, but that’s my question smiling face

Nicole

…I see your point. We all get girly things for each other, but that wouldn’t be romantic enough.

How about a trip? But it would have to be after the post-season and I don’t know how she feels about delayed gratification

Mattie

Then you’re not doing something right ROTFL emoji

For birthday gifts! Sheesh!

Mattie

She’s got that kick-ass dancer’s bod – no offense intended – how about a boudoir photo shoot? That’d be for both of you smiling devil emoji

Nicole?

Ok, she must be busy. See what she thinks about that, the trip, and any other ideas you come up with?

Mattie

Me? She’s the project manager

Exactly. She’ll manage you. winking face

Billie Eilish’s Birds of a Feather starts, summoning me to the dance studio. Dancer loves this song and often plays it on repeat when we practice together. Sometimes we actually practice, and sometimes it’s foreplay. Either works. My whole life feels like foreplay these days—pleasurable, fun, a little teasing, leading up to the big event that will be making her mine forever.