Page 17 of Shot on Goal at a Second Chance (Midlife Meet Cute #6)

Zach

After a week-long business trip, I couldn’t wait to see Rebecca.

So much so that when I picked her up for our date tonight, I almost dragged her back into her condo.

The dress she’s wearing hugs her curves in all the best places.

She has her hair swept up, exposing the smooth curve of her neck.

Her cheeks are flushed, and the smile she flashes at me as I drive to the beach makes me touch the box tucked in the pocket inside my jacket.

Instead of taking the turn that leads to downtown Sarabella and our dinner destination, I take a different route toward a residential area situated on Mango Key Beach.

“Zach, where are we going?”

I squeeze her hand. “It’s a surprise.”

Before she can say anything, I pull into the drive of a modest craftsman-style home.

When I told the real estate agent about my change of plans, she said she had the perfect house in mind.

Though built in the sixties, the previous owners renovated everything, restoring most of the original design yet including modern features and appliances.

It’s not a big place, not that Rebecca and I need something large, but it’s near the beach and has two spare bedrooms we could make into guest rooms so family can visit and stay with us.

Hopefully, Becks will love it as much as I do.

I may have jumped the gun in making an offer, but a house like this won’t be on the market for more than a day.

I haven’t even proposed, and I’m already planning our future.

She ducks her head to get a better look through the windshield. “Is this your new place? I thought you were looking at condos.”

I get out of the car and race around to the other side to open her door. “I decided to go a different direction.”

As we approach the entrance, I enter the code the real estate agent so generously shared with me into the key box. She hesitated initially, but when I told her my plan, she was happy to help.

My first endorsement of approval comes when Becks steps into the entry, admiring the hardwood floors that span throughout the entire house.

Tall windows on the back side of the living room face the ocean.

To the right, a large waterfall granite island separates the kitchen from a small den where I can picture us relaxing together in the evenings.

She runs her hand along the gray-speckled counter, admiring the steel pendant lights hanging above it. “This is gorgeous. I think I’m jealous.”

“No need to be. You’ll practically live here, I’m sure.”

She gives me a coy look. “Are you asking me to move in with you?”

“No. More like, can you picture yourself living here with me as my wife?” I reach into my jacket and pull out the box, opening it as I do. “Becks, will you marry me?”

Her mouth opens as her teary eyes bounce from the ring to my face and then back to the ring. “Is this the same one you originally intended to propose to me with?”

Her question hits me like an unexpected crosscheck. “You know about that?”

She tugs her lip between her teeth on one side, making me want to kiss her. “Kayla told me the evening you showed up at my door to celebrate Gabe joining the team. She overheard you and my father that night.”

The painful memory returns but then dissolves with the relief that she finally knows the truth. I pull her against me. “I’m so sorry, Becks. I should have fought harder for you.”

“No, I’m the one who’s sorry, Zach. I wish I’d known. I’m mad at my father, and I can’t even tell him.” Her cheeks flush with her anger.

I trace a finger down her cheek. “Don’t be angry with him. He was looking out for you. And he was right.”

Her eyes widen, sucking me into their blue depths. “How? We could have been together all this time.”

“I was selfish to think you’d just drop everything to follow me. If you had, you might not have realized your own dreams. Like owning your own team.”

“Maybe. Maybe not.” She sighs. “But it doesn’t really matter now, does it?”

“No, it doesn’t.” Lifting the ring box, I cock a brow, letting her know I’m still waiting for her answer. I want to spend the rest of my life with this woman, making every minute count.

She lets out a soft laugh. “Yes, Zachary Keller, I will happily marry you.”

I slip the ring on her finger, then kiss her with all the emotion I’m feeling at the moment. Everything about her makes my life fuller, richer, better. Every kiss, every touch is like the first time with her, and I can’t get enough.

She gives me a mischievous look. “Now I have a question for you.”

Did I mention how intriguing I find her? “Oh?”

“A job offer, actually.”

“What do you mean? I know I still have to travel a fair bit, but at least this gig keeps me based here in Sarabella, and that’s all I want.” I don’t want her to have any more doubts about where I stand. She’s my highest priority, and I’m not letting anything come between us again.

“Be my GM.” Her expression is dead serious.

I’m at a loss for words. The idea never crossed my mind. I know hockey better than I know myself, but I never pictured myself working directly with a team in that capacity. “Why me?”

“You’re an analyst at heart. Imagine what we could do with this team with your skill set. You’d make an amazing general manager.”

“I thought you always wanted to do this with your father.” Probably a ridiculous statement, but since she knows how her father turned me away, I don’t want to mess with her memories of him any more than I already have.

“In case you’ve forgotten, he’s no longer around.” Her tone is ironic and playful.

I chuckle. “I know, but…”

“But?”

The idea excites me more than I expected. “You really believe I can do this?”

“I’m positive. We’ll make a great team.” She lifts her brows. “Want to think about it?”

I study her face—the curve of her smile, the excitement dancing in her eyes. After 23 years, we not only got a second chance at love but a new adventure to take together. “No, I don’t have to.”

She tilts her chin up as if she’s challenging me. “Answer, please.”

How can I resist? And I have no desire to. “Yes, I’ll be your general manager.”

A soft squeal comes from those lush lips of hers, and she bounces up and down. “I can’t wait to tell my sister. She’s going to flip.”

I let out an ironic chuckle. “I can’t wait to tell my agent. He’ll either love it or hate me. Good thing he’s my best friend.”

She stares at the ring on her finger. “Is it…” Her eyes find mine. “The same one?”

I nod.

Tears well in her eyes. Usually, I can tell what she’s thinking, but right now, I’m unsure. I pull her against me. “We can pick out a new one if you prefer.”

“No. It’s not that.” She rests her palm on my chest. The modest diamond catches the light, sparkling like her eyes.

I considered finding something new, but whenever I opened the box, I still felt that same zing that said it was the ring.

“Then what?”

“I can’t believe you kept it all this time.”

I brush my lips over hers, then lift her hand and kiss her fingers above the ring. “I never let go of the hope that one day we’d get a second chance.”

She leans into me, her forehead resting against mine. “I spent so long trying not to look back. Trying to convince myself it didn’t matter. But it did.”

I tighten my arms around her. “You always mattered. You still do. More than ever.”

“I know that now.” She tilts her face up for a kiss.

And I oblige, happily, content for the first time in 23 years. “And I’m never going to let you forget it.”