Page 44 of Rematch (Stingrays Hockey #3)

“Still think we’re insane?” Ethan asked as he hip-bumped her.

“In general? Hell yeah,” she replied, mimicking the response he always gave her. “But about this? No way.”

Valentine’s Day had arrived. The shop had officially opened at eight a.m., and Chelsea was blown away by how many people had walked in from the street.

She’d already had to make two more batches of her special heart-shaped cookies, underestimating how popular they would be.

Which was insane, because she was certain she’d made way too many to begin with.

Ethan had planned a Grand Opening event, inviting the press as well as quite a few social media influencers, and he was delighted by how many had shown up. The party had begun an hour ago and the place was still hopping.

Mom and Dad were sitting at one of the window tables with Preston’s parents, who had flown in from Seattle for the big day.

Preston stood near the display case, holding Lennon, he and several of his teammates who’d come to support her, and they were all stuffing their faces with cupcakes. She’d been touched by how quickly Preston’s friends welcomed her into their group.

She smiled at Ainsley and Erika, who both lifted champagne glasses in her direction from across the shop, offering a silent congratulations toast.

Ethan wrapped his arm around her, leaning close. “I can’t believe there are no less than ten Stingrays in our bakery right now. Pinch me, Cupcake, because this can’t be real.”

Chelsea didn’t have to be asked twice, pinching Ethan’s arm hard enough he yelped, then laughed.

“Okay, okay,” he said, lifting his hands in surrender. “It’s real.”

They watched as McKenna gestured for all the players to squeeze together for a photo.

“McKenna said she’d post the pics on the team’s social media. She likes the idea of showcasing the Stingrays supporting a new local business. How huge is that?” Ethan asked.

“Huge,” Chelsea agreed.

Preston gestured for her to come over, so she and Ethan joined the guys, posing in the next few photos with them. Ethan was trying to play it cool, but she knew her best friend well enough to know he was dying inside, thrilled to be standing in his own store with his hockey heroes.

Preston wrapped his arm around her shoulders as she reached for Lennon, snuggling their sweet son, who was taking in all the action with great interest.

“Best fucking cupcake ever,” Victor said. “Congratulations, Chelsea.”

“Thanks,” she said, grinning. Preston had warned her about his teammate’s love of the F-word, and he hadn’t exaggerated.

Preston shifted her until she and Lennon stood in front of him so that he could wrap his arms around both of them.

Erika and Ainsley joined their group, stepping next to their guys.

Tank put his hands up and took a couple steps back, acting as if they all had cooties. “I gotta keep my distance in case all this falling-in-love shit is contagious.”

“What’s wrong with falling in love?” Preston asked.

“Nothing. For you guys. But you’ll never catching me settling down. There are too many delicious fish in the sea.”

Chelsea turned her head toward Preston. “Did he just compare women to fish?” she joked, both of them recalling her asking the same question of Preston the night they met.

Preston chuckled and winked.

“Back me up on this, Rook,” Tank insisted.

“I can see the benefits to having a girlfriend…if she’s the right one.” Rookie stole a glance at Allyson, who was too focused on the huge slice of cheesecake she was shoveling in her face to even notice.

Chelsea and Ethan exchanged a glance, both rolling their eyes in amusement before Preston took Lennon out of her arms, handing him to Ethan.

She gave Preston a curious look but followed his lead when he grasped her hand and pulled her away from the crowd and back into the kitchen.

“I know we’re taking things slow,” he started.

Chelsea snorted at their now familiar joke. Everything between them had been a whirlwind. An amazing, wonderful, perfect whirlwind.

“But I thought today might be a good day to speed things up.”

Before Chelsea could question how, Preston dropped down to one knee, an open ring box—with the biggest, most beautiful diamond ring she’d ever seen—resting on his palm.

“Chelsea, Joy, will you?—”

“Yes! Oh my God, yes.”

“So much for the speech I prepared.” Preston laughed as he slid the ring onto her finger. It was a perfect fit.

“You can say it to me later. In bed.” Chelsea stared at the ring on her finger, overcome with happiness. “I can’t believe this. The day was already perfect enough, and then you just blew it out of the water!”

While Preston hadn’t formally announced his retirement from hockey yet, he’d let his coach and teammates know. In just a few months, he was starting his new gig as full-time dad.

“Felt right to propose to you here,” Preston said. “After all, this was where I found you and Lennon.”

“Fate led you straight to us,” she said, kissing him on the cheek.

He cupped her face, smiling down at her, whispering, “Serendipity.”