He crossed right up to the do-not-cross line, not stopping until he was right in front of her. “I’d never do that.”

“But, Ian,” she said, her eyes watery. “You did.”

And he’d spend the rest of his life making up for it if that’s what it took. “I was an idiot with his head shoved way too far up his ass. I removed it. I promise: I’ll be with you if we’re ever arrested for trespassing again, go ice-skating, make out in the owner’s suite, or just sitting on the couch talking smack about the hair of the players in whatever classic hockey game is on.”

He glanced over at the TSA agent by the podium and raised an eyebrow in question. She smiled and waved her hand.

Crossing that line was like walking into a new future, one that he couldn’t wait to start. He pulled her into his arms, dipping his head down to kiss her but stopping just shy of her lips. “I love you, Shelby Blanton.”

“I love you, too.” Then she raised herself up on her toes and kissed him, soft, promising, and forever.

Somewhere in the background he heard whistles, claps, and hollers, but he couldn’t be bothered. He had Shelby in his arms and there was absolutely nothing in the world more important than that.

Epilogue

Epilogue

Three years later…

The Pikeville Thundercats were still celebrating their AHL championship victory at a scaled-down hometown parade when Ian got the call. Not that he knew it at the time. He’d taken one look at his phone screen, seen Jasper’s name, and handed it off to Shelby. She handed it right back after answering it.

Now here he was trying to hear the Ice Knights owner over the sound of the crowd cheering the minor league players and process what he’d just said. “I’m sorry, can you repeat that?”

Jasper Dawson yelled loud enough that the astronauts in the space station probably heard, “I said, we want to bring you in. Coach Peppers is starting to eye retirement and we want to bring in someone who knows our system to serve as assistant coach and then, in a year or two, head coach.”

He glanced over at Shelby, who was playing peekaboo with one of the Thundercat players’ babies while swaying back and forth with their eight-month-old on her hip. He had a great life here. He was coaching kids and doing his best to win games and get his players to the big time. Shelby worked remotely for the Ice Knights and drove around a classic Mustang outfitted with all the most modern safety gear (a wedding gift from Roger). They’d made their place in Pikesville, and going back to Harbor City was something he hadn’t even hoped to have happen for another ten years.

“Are you sure?” Ian asked.