Back Check (Aces Hockey #4)(85)

 

"Sure." She smiled at Max as Tanner took her hand.

 

He led her onto the dance floor. She stared at him as the familiar strumming of the intro to "I'm Yours" by Jason Mraz started. Wow … memories. How many times had she and Tanner danced to this song in college?

 

"I love this song," she said, wide-eyed.

 

"I know." He set his hands on her waist and they moved to the music. He smiled. "I remember."

 

She gazed up at him as the bouncy tune played. He twirled her in a little spin, bringing her back in tight against him. Joy bubbled in her chest, bright and beautiful. "I love you."

 

"Love you too, beautiful."

 

Their gazes stayed fastened on each other throughout the song. As the song drew to an end, Tanner said to her, "This isn't the best wedding in the world."

 

She blinked. "No?"

 

"No. Our wedding will be the best wedding in the world." And he dropped to one knee on the dance floor. "I'm yours. Will you be mine, Katelyn? Will you marry me?"

 

He held out a ring that flashed in the low lights.

 

Everyone around them had stopped and was watching. Katelyn's heart pitched into an unsteady rhythm and her entire body trembled. She cupped her hands over her mouth as she stared down at Tanner in shock. Pressure swelled in her chest and her face, behind her eyes, her nose stinging.

 

"Yes," she whispered. "Oh my God, Tanner. Yes."

 

Whoops and clapping filled the ballroom. Tanner rose and slipped the ring onto her shaking hand. She stared at it through a blur of tears. "It's beautiful."

 

Tanner's friends swarmed around him to slap him on the back and congratulate him.

 

"I hate to say I told you so," Marc said, his arm around Tanner's shoulders shaking him. "Aw, who am I kidding. I fucking love to say I told you so."

 

 

 

        

          

        

         

 

Tanner grinned. "Yeah, for once I don't mind hearing it. Okay, you were right, Captain Codger. Life without love is pretty lonely."

 

Katelyn too was swarmed by Lovey and Amber and Lovey's friends.

 

"I'm so sorry," she said to Lovey as they hugged. "I had no idea he was going to do this at your wedding."

 

"Don't apologize! I knew about it. He asked me if it would be okay, and he wanted that song played."

 

Katelyn shook her head, smiling through her tears. "Oh wow."

 

"We're so happy for you," Lovey added, beaming. "It made our day even more special."

 

Katelyn hugged her new friend, then Tanner pulled her back into his arms and laid a huge kiss on her, bending her back over his arm. She came up laughing and breathless to clapping and cheers. She smiled at the man she loved. His new seven-year contract with the Aces was nice security-even so, nothing was guaranteed, and she understood that. But whatever happened, wherever they ended up, they'd be together, there for each other, for better or for worse, through stupidity and pride, injury or illness, joy and laughter … to love and to cherish … always.