Page 21

Fiona

The air is crisp as I stand outside the arena, the sound of hockey practice echoing from within. I’m leaning against the brick wall, my arms wrapped around myself to keep warm, but my thoughts are a million miles away. They’re all on him.

Stellan.

It’s been months since everything was decided—since my father gave us his blessing and the team accepted that I wouldn’t be staying away from him. And since then, things have only gotten better. Every day with Stellan feels like a new adventure. The press? They can’t get enough of us. The chemistry between us has become the story of the season. Fans can’t stop talking about us , about the couple that’s captured their hearts in a way the media’s never seen before.

It’s a little overwhelming, but I wouldn’t trade it for anything. Stellan is everything I’ve ever wanted—funny, kind, determined —and every moment with him feels like a dream I never want to wake up from.

He’s already making headlines, but lately, he and I have been stealing the spotlight, even more than the infamous pairing of Zyon and his pop star girlfriend, Auri. The press loves us. I think they even like us more.

And I’m standing here, waiting for him.

The sound of the arena doors opening pulls me out of my thoughts, and I turn to see Stellan walking toward me. His strides are confident, but there’s a softness to the way he looks at me, a warmth that makes my heart flip every time I see him. He’s still in his practice gear, sweat glistening on his skin, his hair tousled in the way I love.

I don’t even think, just take off running.

The moment I get close enough, he grins, and I jump into his arms, wrapping my legs around his waist and my arms around his neck. He catches me easily, lifting me up as I bury my face against his neck.

“Missed you,” I whisper, feeling the steady beat of his heart beneath my ear.

He chuckles softly, and then I feel him press his lips to my temple before lifting my chin so I’m looking at him. His eyes are warm, full of affection, and it makes me feel like the luckiest person in the world.

“I missed you too,” he says, his voice deep and full of emotion.

And then, before I can say anything else, he kisses me.

It’s soft at first, but then it deepens, and everything around us fades. The world, the press, the noise of the crowd inside, it all disappears. There’s just him and me, and the kiss we’ve been waiting for. His hands are on my back, pulling me closer, and I can feel the heat of him against me, the way his body molds perfectly against mine.

When we finally pull away, breathless, I smile up at him, my heart racing.

“Still can’t get enough of me, huh?” he teases, his eyes sparkling with that mischievous glint I’ve come to adore.

I laugh, brushing a strand of hair out of his face. “You’re lucky I’m so in love with you.”

His grin widens, and he kisses me again, a quick peck on the lips this time. “I’m the lucky one.”

And for a moment, as we stand there in each other’s arms, I know without a doubt that this is it. We’ve fought for this. We’ve built something real. There’s no more pretending. This is us, and it’s everything I’ve ever wanted.

We pull apart, but I don’t let go of him. He doesn’t let go of me either.

“You know,” I say, a teasing smile on my lips, “the press is going to be all over this.”

“Let them,” he says, his voice full of confidence. “They’re gonna need something to talk about now that Zyon and Auri have cooled off.”

I laugh, the sound light and carefree. “I think we’re definitely the new favorite couple.”

Stellan grins, his hand brushing against my cheek. “And I’m not complaining. I’d let them follow us around all day if it means I get to be with you.”

“I’m with you, no matter what the press says,” I say softly, my voice full of affection. “This is real.”

“It’s real,” he agrees, his voice full of certainty.

And as I look up at him, standing there with the man I love, I realize that everything that’s happened—every moment of doubt, every obstacle we’ve faced—was worth it. Because now, we’re here, together, in the spotlight, but more importantly, we’re in each other’s arms.

I smile, knowing that no matter what happens next, this— us —is my happily ever after.

Thank you for reading Stellan and Fiona’s love story.