The Summer Proposal by Vi Keeland

He paused and took another deep breath, again patting his chest. “That heart got me back here this year. But this heart also knows it’s time to go. So today I want to say thank you for all of the years you’ve given me. All of you have become my family—which makes it only fitting that I close out my career on the ice by giving you a piece of my heart.”

He turned to face the side of the rink where I stood and smiled. “Could someone please help my girl come out here? She’s not so good on the ice, either on skates or in those sexy shoes she’s wearing tonight.”

My eyes widened. But before I could panic too much, one of Max’s teammates had already opened the gate to the ice, and two others skated over and offered me their hands. I turned to Maggie, freaking out and looking for help, but she only smiled.

“Go get your man, my friend.”

The next thing I knew, I was walking across the ice, escorted by two large men on skates. In the center of the arena, they handed me off to Max and skated away.

Max took one look at my face and smiled. “You’re freaking out right now?”

I nodded, which only made him laugh.

I gazed up at the stands, at all of the eyes watching me, and the rumbling voices all seemed to stop at the same time. The arena grew quiet enough to hear a pin drop. I wasn’t sure if I was imagining it or not, but when I turned back to Max I realized what had silenced everyone. Max had knelt down on one knee.

Oh my God. My trembling hand flew up to cover my mouth.

Max brought the other one to his lips and kissed it. “Georgia Margaret Delaney, I have been crazy about you since the night I crashed your blind date.”

I shook my head. “That’s because you are crazy.”

Max squeezed my hand. “The only thing that makes leaving hockey bearable is knowing what’s waiting for me on the other side. You have given me so much more than I ever thought possible. You give me strength and the courage to change—not just with my career but as a man. I want to grow old with you, Georgia.”

He picked up something next to him on the ice, a black velvet ring box and...a Yoda. Max had a pretty big collection of them now, especially after his hospital stay, but the one in his hand had a small chip on its ear. It looked like the one I’d carried with me every day since we met. Max noticed me staring at it.

“Yeah, he’s yours. I borrowed him from your purse last night when you weren’t looking. I figured I needed every bit of luck I could get.” He winked. “You don’t need the luck. You already have me.”

Max cupped my cheek, and I noticed his hand was shaking. For all his boisterous confidence and cocky pride, my big, tough guy was nervous. My heart melted a little bit more. He took another deep breath and blew it out with a smile before opening the ring box. Inside was a sparkling, emerald-cut diamond.

“Georgia, you are the reason for the smile on my face every morning and every night. Today I’m asking you to put it there forever. Will you, sweetheart? Will you marry me and make me the happiest guy in the world?”

I leaned in and cupped his cheeks in my hands, pressing my forehead to his. “Yes! Yes, I’ll marry you.”

Max crushed his lips to mine. Somewhere in the distant background, I heard the roar of the crowd.

When our kiss broke, he whispered, “I love you, babe. We’ve come a long way from my summer proposal to the real thing, haven’t we?”

“We sure have.”

“I’m really freaking relieved this was a decision you didn’t need to debate forever.”

I smiled. “I only need to debate things that are uncertain. When it comes to you, the only question I have about our life together is, how soon can we start?”





Dear Readers,



I hope you’ve enjoyed reading Max and Georgia’s story! I’d love to stay in touch and invite you to join my mailing list and receive back a FREE short story.



For a Good Time Call



Ever see For a good time call scribbled on the bathroom wall of a bar? Sure you have. Ever wonder what would happen if you had a few too many drinks and actually called the number? Well now you don’t have to wonder anymore, because I’ll tell you… It blows up in your face when you suddenly realize who Mr. Good Time is.





ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS




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To you—the readers. Thank you so much for sticking with me on this journey. I hope Max and Georgia’s story allowed you to escape for a short while, and you’ll come back soon to see who you might meet next!



To Penelope – Writing can be a lonely profession, but not when you have a friend who is with you every step of the way. Thank you for always taking the ride with me.



To Cheri – Thank you for your friendship and support. I hope 2022 gets us back on the road!



To Julie – Thank you for your friendship and wisdom.



To Luna –So much has changed over the years, but I can always count on your friendship and encouragement. Thank you for always being there, often at 5AM.



To my amazing Facebook reader group, Vi’s Violets – more than 22,000 smart women (and a few awesome men) who love to talk books together in one place? I’m one lucky girl! Each and every one of you is a gift. Thank you for all of your support.