And there would always be gossip. These were hockey players, after all.
Georgia was one of the first to board the plane. She chose a seat near the rear, scooting all the way in to the window seat for Becca, who came down the row just behind her. But Becca didn’t take it. Instead, she slid into the seat on the opposite side of the aisle, and winked.
It wasn’t long before the cabin filled with players. Leo appeared over her. “Is this seat taken?”
“Nope!” Becca said from behind his backside.
Leo grinned, and Georgia was pleased to see that he looked relaxed and happy. Tired, maybe. But that was just a given in the middle of the season. He stashed his carry-on in the overhead compartment and then sat down. Reaching for her hand, he lifted it to his mouth and kissed it.
Georgia aimed her smile at the window, but since it was dark outside, all she saw was her own reflection. She looked relaxed and happy, too.
“Will you come home with me tonight?” Leo asked quietly. “I’ll probably help Silas pack, so it won’t exactly be a party. But I want you in my bed.”
Georgia squeezed his hand. “Absolutely. I’ve missed you.”
He made a low growl. “That’s what I like to hear.”
“I’m sorry,” she said, moving a little closer to him. “I heard you might be traded, and I panicked.”
“I know.” He chuckled. “You were in a tight spot.”
“It could still happen.”
“Let’s wait until they shove a plane ticket in my face before we panic. Deal?”
“Deal.”
Most of the seats around them were taken now. But the head honchos hadn’t gotten onto the plane yet. When Silas did, all the other players clapped.
Georgia yawned, wondering whether she could fall asleep during the two hour flight. But Leo fidgeted in his seat. And that really wasn’t like him. “You okay?” she asked.
“Yeah. But there’s something I need to get off my chest.”
That woke her up fast. “Really? What?” When she turned her body to face him, she saw Becca do the same thing across the aisle, curiosity on her face. Whatever Leo had to say, Georgia hoped it wasn’t something too private.
He took a deep breath and let it out. “My timing probably sucks. But I just can’t wait.” He unclipped his seatbelt and rose from his seat.
“Where are you going?” Georgia asked. They’d be shutting the plane’s doors in a minute.
Leo turned around to face her in the aisle, then knelt down. Georgia squinted at him, on the verge of asking him if he’d dropped something, when Leo grabbed her hand. “There’s a real spark between us,” he said.
Was he . . . “Oh my God!” She clamped a hand over her mouth.
“Will you marry me this summer?” Leo’s big brown eyes sparkled up at her, waiting for an answer.
Georgia actually replayed his words in her head, trying to be sure she’d heard him correctly.
“I wish I had a ring,” he continued. “I always wanted to do this right. I had it all planned out once. When I was eighteen, I thought I wanted to take you stargazing in my truck and pop the question. But I don’t want to waste any more time . . .”
“YES,” Georgia said, shaking off her shock.
Becca gave a loud, shrieky squeal and Leo grinned widely.
“Holy fuck, what is happening here?” Castro demanded from the row behind them.
Someone started to clap, and then someone else joined in. The sound of applause rose as Leo stood up, then leaned over the seat to kiss her.
Georgia lost herself in the taste of happiness for a moment. Leo cupped the back of her neck and angled his mouth to fit against hers. But he began smiling so hard that he lost focus, and Georgia laughed. “Love you, babe. Always have,” he rumbled.
“Coach!” somebody yelled. “Looks like you’re paying for a wedding.”
“What?” her father’s voice barked, and Georgia stiffened. The plane got quiet.
Leo stood up slowly, his hand still a warm presence on her neck. He cleared his throat. “I should have asked you first. But I’ve always been impulsive.”
Georgia watched her father’s face cycle through the entire range of human emotion in about four seconds. Then it reshaped into its usual crusty visage. “Boys, you’d better make it to the play-offs. I’m gonna need that bonus money to throw a party. If you clear the semis, I’ll spring for the good whiskey.”
The jet erupted with laughter.
Leo sat back down, and pulled her into a hug. “You gonna be a bridezilla?” Leo asked.
“What do you think?”
“My girl doesn’t like a fuss. But I’ve heard that weddings make people crazy.”
She turned and hugged him across the chest. “I’ve sworn off crazy. Let’s hire a wedding planner and let her do everything.”
“Sounds good.”
It felt weird to cuddle Leo in public, but not weird enough that she wanted to stop. Though her phone, its top edge showing from the seat-back pocket, glowed a color she hadn’t seen before. Pink? That was odd. She untangled herself from Leo to take a look.
CONGRATULATIONS, the text read. —Nate.
“How does he do that?” Leo asked.
“No idea. He’s not on the plane, right?”
“Nope,” Leo agreed. “Didn’t see him at all at this game. Where does he live, anyway?”
“In a mansion on the promenade in Brooklyn Heights. He takes the ferry to his midtown office and walks to the Bruisers HQ. It’s a good setup he’s got. Can we stay in Brooklyn?” Georgia asked. “I like it there.”
“Sure, baby.” He tucked an arm around her. “Maybe I’ll take Silas’s apartment for real when the lease is up. I guess I should have thought that through.” He laughed. “I’m kind of impulsive. Should I have waited to propose until I had a ring?”
“No!” She buried her face in his collar. “I’m sick of waiting.”
He gave her a squeeze. “Me, too, baby. Me, too.”
THIRTY-FOUR
2:45 PM, MONDAY, FEBRUARY 29TH, NHL TRADE DEADLINE DAY
BROOKLYN, NEW YORK
TOP STORY
“Area Teams Make Last-Minute Roster Adjustments Heading Into Play-offs”
—The Daily News
The official trade deadline was three o’clock PM, Eastern Standard Time.