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Why is he even asking? I already have a wedding to-do list! Of course I’m going to marry him! It was stupid of me to tell him he has to ask first.

  “Mere?”

  I look down at the ring. The ring he bought when we were two dumb teenagers. Well, one of us was dumb. Looks like Noah was smarter than I was.

  “Mere,” Noah repeats, his impatience taking over, but it causes my eyes to snap up to his.

  “Of course I will,” I finally answer.

  He grins and wastes no time sliding the ring onto my finger. “You had me worried for a second there.”

  “You caught me off guard, and then I thought it was stupid of you to ask since we’re obviously getting married. This is why you propose first.”

  Noah rolls his eyes at me before leaning forward to kiss me. I feel that kiss all over my body. It brings a shiver out of me. There is no doubt in my mind that between the events of the day and the fact that he has a one-game road trip coming, once we get back home, he’s going to want to do nothing but fuck.

  “Let’s get this tattoo over with, so we can go home.”

  He grins. “I like how you think, Meredith Quick.”

  Noah opens the door and I get out, ignoring the look of disdain an elderly woman gives us while her husband gives us a toothless grin. Even though this is my idea, Noah takes my hand and leads us inside. The guy told me since the job was so simple I wouldn’t need an appointment. They weren’t lying either.

  It’s reassuring to see how clean it is, too. This entire thing has had me worried. The pain from my shoulder is one thing to deal with. Voluntarily doing something that will hurt is somehow different. That’s why I’m nervous. While we wait for the tattoo artist to come talk to us, I have to fill out paperwork and let them copy my ID, which reminds me that I need to update my driver’s license.

  “Hey, you’re Noah Ramsey, right?” the guy who walked up to the counter to talk to us asks. He’s not completely covered in tattoos, or at least based on his thin white T-shirt. The only ones I can see are covering his arms.

  “Yeah, that’s me. My girlfriend here wants a tattoo.”

  He reaches out to shake our hands. “Name is Jay. I’ll be inking you.” He turns back to Noah. “I was stoked to hear about you coming to Carolina, and you’ve been playing well for us.”

  “Thanks. Always nice to meet a fan.”

  “I’m definitely one of them. What do you want?” he asks me.

  “His name in his handwriting right here.” I point to where I want it.

  His eyebrows shoot up and he glances between us. “I’ll risk pissing you both off, but considering what you’re wanting, maybe I’ll be okay.” He looks at Noah. “Is she Meredith?”

  Noah laughs. “Yeah, it’s her.”

  “My girlfriend is going to be so disappointed when I tell her this.” Jay looks to the receptionist. “Her paperwork done?”

  “Yep,” she answers, smacking some gum.

  I zone out, barely pay attention as Noah talks to Jay as he writes his name so a stencil can be made.

  “Mere, you don’t have to do it,” Noah tells me while we wait for Jay to get his work station and supplies together.

  “It’s going to hurt.”

  He laughs. “Well, yeah. It’s not too bad, though.”

  I reach up and tug on his hair. “Don’t laugh at me.”

  He grabs a chunk of my own hair, pulls it to tilt my head back, and then kisses me. “Don’t tug on my hair.”

  A throat clears, Noah lets go, and it’s time for my tattoo. Jay directs me to lie on a cushioned table-like piece of furniture. I unhook my bra, move part of it out of the way, and lift my shirt. Noah sits in a chair by my head. I focus my eyes on his brown ones while Jay starts preparing me.

  “Black ink, right?”

  “Yeah.”

  “Are you nervous?” he asks as he cleans the area of skin.

  “Of course. It’s going to hurt.”

  He laughs at me much like Noah did. “With what you’re getting, there will barely be any pain.” He stops to lift his elbow. “I mean, it’ll be a few minutes compared to hours like mine. But if you need a minute, just let me know.”

  “Okay.”

  “How’s that look?”

  I glance down to see a purple outline of Noah’s name. It seems fine to me, but I make Noah check, too. The look on his face is priceless. This is even better than I thought it would be. I wonder if that’s how I look when I see his. This might just top my short list of good decisions this year.

  “Looks great,” Noah finally says. He sits down, kisses me again, and pulls away with a grin. “Love you.”

  “Love you more,” I mutter with a wince as a buzzing sound fills the air. I officially have no clue how I stood by and watched Noah do this. My jaw clenches at the first sign of pain.

  “Relax, Mere,” Noah quietly orders.

  “I am,” I grit.

  He laughs. “I didn’t know you were such a baby.”

  “I’d rather injure my shoulder again.” Okay, it’s not that bad, but it’s not enjoyable either.

  “Hey,” Jay starts, getting our attention. “Can I get a pic of you before y’all leave?”

  “Absolutely,” Noah replies.

  “Can you finish the tattoo before fangirling over my boyfriend?” I ask in a sugar-coated tone.

  Jay laughs. “I like her,” he tells Noah.

  “Me too.” Noah squeezes my hand. “And Mere, it’s fiancé, yeah?”

  That gets me to smile. “Right back at ya. You called me your girlfriend just a few minutes ago.”

  “She’s got you there,” Jay laughs.

  Noah just shakes his head, but it’s with a smile. A few minutes later, the tattoo is done, Jay tells me what I need to do to care for it as it heals, and then he gets his picture. Noah also signs a Rebels poster hanging in the lobby.

  Just like I thought, Noah drags me to the bedroom when we get home for possibly the best sex ever. Life is better than good. If I could find a word to adequately live up to just how good, I’d use it, but I’m not sure a word exists that could measure up.

  Do you know what it took for Noah to download Instagram and make a post?

  Me getting a tattoo.

  When he came back from New York, where they lost 2-0, he wanted to take a picture of me. He told me, “Lift your shirt and smile.” So, I did. I had to tell him how to tag me and we didn’t even discuss hashtags because when I merely mentioned it, he was confused. He posted it with the caption of, “Her name has been on my chest since I was eighteen. Never expected she’d do the same. Love my fiancée.” I told him how he could add a heart, too, so he put that at the end.

  That picture has gotten more likes than any of his others. I had to tell him how to turn the notifications off because he started cussing when his phone kept showing notifications at the top. I don’t know if he’ll keep it up, but if he never posts again, we still made progress. I also warned him about comments. People sometimes feel the need to share their opinion, especially when they don’t know your life, and it’s often best to not even look.

  “How did it feel to get a tattoo?” Kira asks me as we work on her shots closer to the net after practice.

  “Are you stalking us on Instagram?”

  She gives me a sheepish smile. “Ginny showed me.”

  “Well, it hurt.” Kira laughs. “Hey, I have an idea to throw at you.”

  “Okay,” she answers slowly.

  “I’m thinking of offering private lessons, but I want someone who doesn’t have the same restrictions as I do to be my assistant. I don’t have a lot of details yet because I’m still figuring it out. I was wondering if you’d be interested.”

  Kira’s jaw drops. “Really?”

  “Yeah. Just something to think about. You’d get paid, of course, and we can go over details once I know more. I’m sure this is something you should talk about with your mom.”

  “Yeah, I will. I’m sure she won’t mind as long as it doesn�
�t interfere with school.”

  “Great.” She gives me her email address, so I can send details. Having this one part sort of finalized makes me want to hurry up and finish my planning. Kira would be a great help, I’m certain of it.

  About twenty minutes later, we wrap things up for the day and we each head home. Erica frowned when she saw me, her gaze dropping to my hand. My love life seems to be what everyone is concerned with. Some of the girls apparently follow Noah’s account and I could tell by the expressions on their faces that they were unimpressed with my ring. I felt no need to defend it. Noah bought that ring when we were teenagers and I think about that every time I look at it or feel it rub against my skin. I don’t care one bit that it’s not some huge, showy diamond. It’s our history, our beginning, and I want it to be a part of our present and future.

  Noah is sitting on the couch while Marc sits at the other end with his feet on the coffee table. Both are playing a video game. When Noah sees Leo be brave by jumping off the couch, he realizes I’m home. He tosses his controller aside to stand and walk over to me.

  “Hey.” I smile.

  He doesn’t say anything. He cups my face and steals my breath with his kiss. His tongue charges forward into my mouth and tangles with mine like it’s some long-lost friend. My fingers dig into his waist. I lean into him, but then hear an explosion coming from the TV. I pull away with a laugh before we get carried away since Marc is here and Leo is jumping up against my leg, waiting to be acknowledged.

  “What was that for?” I ask, picking Leo up to kiss him on the head.

  “Marc showed me your post from when we were out for pizza.”

  Oh. I took a photo of us with the caption, “I’ve officially retired as my shoulder is too weak to continue playing as a pro. However, there’s no one else I’d rather spend the rest of my life with. I’m his #1 fan again.” Who needs an official release or anything else? I’ve been out this long and I’m not coming back, so I chose to slip it into the post. No tears were shed.

  “Dinner’s ready, by the way. Marco wants to watch a movie that just released on DVD.”

  I like when Noah cooks because his diet seems so different from what mine was and I feel like I’m not feeding him what he’s supposed to be eating. Plus, his food is always good.

  “Thanks.” I give him a quick kiss. “I smell like sweat, so I’m going to shower first.”

  “Can I join you?” Marc asks over his shoulder, still playing the game. “It’s my birthday,” he adds.

  “Really?” I slap Noah’s shoulder. “Why didn’t you tell me that?”

  “Would you have bought me a present?” Marc finally pauses the game and turns to look at me.

  “Of course.” I walk over and smack a loud kiss on his cheek. “Will you accept that instead?”

  Marc grins and flicks his gaze to Noah. “And you were worried about me developing funny feelings for your future wife. I think you should be talking to her about that.”

  I laugh and face Noah, who shakes his head and pushes me toward the hallway. I make my shower quick, already planning to make the guys go get ice cream with me. If it’s Marc’s birthday, we at least need to eat something sweet to celebrate. The guys have apparently eaten already, but they sit at the table with me while I eat.

  “So, what did you do for your birthday?” I ask.

  “Nothing special. Been hanging out with Noah, and now you.”

  “Well, I think we should go out for ice cream, Noah’s treat.”

  “We don’t have to,” Marc immediately says.

  “Yes, we do. It’s your birthday! You have to eat something sweet on your birthday.”

  “We really don’t.”

  “We’re going and you’re going to enjoy it,” I tell him firmly.

  “Okay. Whatever you want, Meredith.” He flashes that grin at me. If I wasn’t in love with Noah, between that smile and his voice, I would definitely have butterflies. It isn’t until now that I realize how nice his voice sounds.

  “How come you don’t have a girlfriend?” I blurt out.

  Marc glances at Noah and then back to me. “What kind of question is that?” he hesitantly asks.

  “Just curious. Have you just not found one or is there some crazy hidden in there? Because it’s not like you’re lacking in looks or personality. Where’s your woman, or are you just going to pine after me for the rest of your life?” I tease.

  Noah snorts and Marc grins. “I’m telling you, I’m making her all hot and bothered.”

  “Shut up and answer her,” Noah says gruffly while kicking him under the table.

  Marc sighs. “Haven’t found one. Happy?”

  I’m not. Marc is a great guy, and I want him to be happy. Maybe I should tell Sylvia she needs to go ahead and introduce him to that friend of hers. “Sure,” I lie. “Let me walk Leo and then we can go.” I smile sweetly at Noah. “Put away and clean my dishes, yeah?”

  He laughs. “Yeah.”

  “I’ll walk with you, Meredith.”

  “Don’t hit on my woman, Marco,” Noah orders as Marc stands.

  “What kind of man do you take me for? I only hit on her when you’re around to see it,” I hear him say, causing me to laugh while I grab Leo’s leash and attach it to his collar.

  “Come on, Marco Polo,” I say to him.

  We head outside without saying much. Then, Marc says, “You don’t mind me hanging around and getting on Rams’s nerves, do you?”

  I look at him with confusion. He seems genuinely concerned. “What? No.” I link my arm through his. “I like having you around. Why are you asking?”

  He shrugs. “No reason.”

  “Come on,” I push. “You can tell me. I can keep a secret.”

  “Even from Noah?”

  We stop walking as Leo finds his favorite spot and I face Marc. “Yeah,” I begin softly. “I’ve kept secrets from Noah before.”

  “Like what?” He raises an eyebrow at me, and I know he doesn’t believe me at all. There’s a little bit of surprise. Not that I expect Noah to tell Marc certain things, but I did think he would vent or discuss some things about our relationship with Marc.

  I take a deep breath. “Like how I quit my PT early. How Vance essentially broke up with me because he knew I wouldn’t be able to play again, and how he thought I was lying when I told him I was pregnant.” Marc’s eyes widen as mine water. “Like how it took me a while to tell Noah I had a miscarriage, and I was tempted to not tell him, or Vance, at all.”

  “Fuck, Meredith, I’m sorry.” He hugs me. I imagine if I had a sibling, his hugs would feel like this. There’s nothing but comfort here.

  “What do you want to talk about?”

  My question causes him to let me go. I’m a little thrown off to see him completely serious for a change.

  “Birthdays aren’t my favorite.”

  “Why?” I whisper. I don’t know why, but now I’m a little scared of finding out. Maybe I’m not prepared for whatever he has to say. Honestly, I’m not sure I like serious Marc. It’s odd to see him without a smile on his face, or without one waiting to spring into place. His blue eyes seem to be lacking life and happiness. Whatever’s on his mind isn’t pleasant in the least. This isn’t the Marc I know, and I’m scared to get to know the person standing in front of me.

  Marc must decide not to tell me. “Family stuff is all. Let’s go back inside to grab your man before he comes looking for us. He might think I’ve kidnapped you or convinced you to have a quickie with me.” There’s that grin again, but this time, I’m not so sure it’s genuine. On the way inside, Marc puts his arm around my shoulder and says, “Happy to spend my birthday with you and Rams.”

  “Me too.”

  Serious Marc quickly fades and never resurfaces. He jokes throughout our time at the ice cream parlor, and even posts a picture of the three of us on Noah’s account, talking about how he’s our “favorite third wheel.”

  Later, Noah and I are in bed. He’s holding me like h
e normally does. I’m busy thinking about my conversation with Marc, while Noah seems to be thinking about something else.

  “Are you happy, Mere? Truly happy? Excited about our future?”

  I prop myself up on one elbow to look at him. “Of course I am. Why are you asking me that?”

  “I don’t know.” He sighs.

  “Noah, what’s wrong?” I sit up on my knees with my butt resting on the back of my legs. He lays a hand on my thigh, but doesn’t say anything right away.

  “I’ve just been thinking about what you said.”

  What I said? “What did I say?”

  “Before I met you, my biggest dream was to make a career of playing hockey professionally. Your dream has always been to play tennis professionally. That’s gone, Mere. I...” He squeezes my thigh. “I know you have something else now, but I just want to make sure you’re actually happy and satisfied.”

  I cup his face and push his cheeks together, just because. “Noah, I love you. I’m going to marry you. Your name is tattooed on my body. I have a job that I love. Even if I was a housewife, as long as I had something to occupy my time with like maybe those six kids you’re insisting on, I would be happy. Yeah, my dream is over sooner than I wanted, but I still got to live it. Now, it’s time for me to live the other dream I had: being with you. You don’t need to worry about me being unhappy because I’m so damn happy with you.”

  He grabs my wrists, pulls them away from his face, and kisses the tips of my fingers. “Mean it?”

  “More than anything.”

  “We haven’t had sex today,” he points out.

  I laugh, leaning forward to give him a quick kiss and letting my forehead rest against his. “Shame on you for not making sure your fiancée’s needs were taken care of.”

  He drags me over on top of his body in a move so quick I squeal, and then rolls me onto my back. “Tell me what you need, Mere.”

  I run my hands over his bare chest. It hits me then exactly how happy I am. And it’s all because of Noah. “All I need now, tomorrow, and all the days after that is you.”

  “I love you.” He grins.

  “I love you more.”

  His grin widens for a split second before he leans down to kiss me. My hands push at his boxer-briefs, so Noah stops to strip us both naked. I laugh as he puts Leo on the floor and jumps back onto the bed. I roll us so he’s the one flat on his back. His fingers graze over the spot where my tattoo is as I trail mine over his. I lean down to kiss it before starting a trail down his body.