“We’re going to be late,” Declan calls from the living room.
“I know. I’m hurrying.” I clasp the necklace and grab my purse. With a glance out the window, I come up short and curse the blanket of white covering the ground. Late February in Minnesota is still cold and snowy. Every year I pray for an early spring. “I forgot to park in the garage again.”
My handsome husband stands by the door, wearing the hell out of a suit and a smile. “Your car is cleaned off.”
“What did I do to deserve you?”
His arms glide around the silky material of my dress and draw me closer. “Must be your charm and wit.”
“Or my ass,” I say as he grabs a handful.
“That too.”
He helps me into my coat, and we head outside. The wind blows freezing air into my face and makes my eyes sting. I nuzzle into his shoulder, which is why it takes me longer than it should to realize it isn’t my Volkswagen sitting in the driveway.
Declan pauses and waits for my reaction as we stand next to a shiny, red Mercedes SUV.
“What is this?” I ask, eyes growing wide as I take in the beautiful car.
“I finally sold the old Mercedes, and I bought a new one. For you.” He holds the key up to me.
“Shut up.”
His chest shakes with silent laughter at my response.
“You did not buy me a vehicle.”
“Technically, we did. What’s mine is yours, and all that. Do you like it?”
“Like it? It’s gorgeous.” I run a gloved hand along the red paint. “Are you sure we can afford this? Your wife is still unemployed.”
His smile doesn’t waver. “Good thing your husband’s stock is up then. I got the endorsement campaign.”
“Oh my gosh, really?” The Wildcats are having a great season and a lot of it is thanks to him. He’s had so many offers for endorsements, but he was holding out for the one he really wanted – a well-known footwear and apparel company that has other professional athletes from a variety of sports.
It’s a huge get for him, not only financially, but it pushes him into the limelight and gives him a little more of the respect he deserves. I’d like to think I helped with that part. Nobody puts Declan in the corner. Except me, and that’s just so I can make out with him.
I stop admiring my new vehicle to hug him. “Congratulations.”
Then it hits me. “You got a big check and bought me a car with it? Why didn’t you buy yourself something?”
“I bought exactly what I wanted.”
I still can’t believe this man is real.
“Ready to test it out?” He opens the driver’s side door for me.
I glance down at my shoes. “Actually, can you drive us tonight? These heels look great, but they’re not very functional.”
He scoops me into his arms and takes me over to the passenger side. It smells like new car and the leather feels cool through my thin dress.
While Declan drives us, I test out all the features of the car. When he finally pulls up to the event, I have the music cranking and the seat warmers going.
“Welcome, Mr. and Mrs. Sato.” The valet opens my door and helps me out.
The Wildcat Foundation is hosting a casino-style event tonight at the arena. The entire team, including the coaching staff and front office, are here with dates, and fans were able to buy tickets to get up close and personal while they support a great cause.
We walk a red carpet, posing for several pictures on our way inside. Declan stops to sign autographs and take a few selfies.
Food, drinks, and games are set up all around the third floor of the building. Each member of the team has to work one of the games at some point during the night.
Declan’s shift isn’t until later, but he’s pulled to take some group photos and I wander over to the girls. We’re huddled up several times too, by photographers wanting to capture a WAG shot. Then we get drinks from the bar and roam around the big event area to check out the games.
Every thirty minutes or so, I feel Declan’s gaze on me and scan the room until I find him. Each time our eyes meet, my stomach flutters. This time, when I locate him, he’s standing behind a blackjack table. His suit jacket is off, and the sleeves of his white shirt are rolled up, showing off his forearms.
Taking my champagne, I head closer. I hang back and listen to him interact with the people sitting at his table. He looks directly at me as he laughs at something someone said.
I want nothing more than to go to him, kiss him, and steal all his attention. Nothing feels better than being loved by him. But I don’t do that. I blow him a kiss and head for another table. He’ll find me when he’s done.
In the meantime, I’m happy that he’s putting himself out there more. People deserve to know him like his teammates and I do. He’s the best and people love him. Just not as much as I do.
I don’t get far before his muscular arms wrap around me from behind and stop me in my tracks. “Where do you think you’re going?”
“To find the girls. I didn’t want to interrupt.”
“Please, baby, interrupt.” He ducks his head to kiss my neck, sending goosebumps racing down my body.
“Aren’t you supposed to be working?”
“Yep, just came to bring you back with me.”
I turn to find the entire blackjack table staring at us. “Everyone is looking this way.”
“Of course, they are. You’re gorgeous.”
“I don’t think it’s me they’re looking at. Those women are hoping you toss me aside and take one of them home.”
“Zero chance of that, baby. I’m all yours.” He takes my hand and kisses the top of it, before threading our fingers together and leading me back to the table.
He introduces me as his wife, and I feel a rush of pride. I can’t imagine being married to anyone else.
Chance, luck, divine intervention, or whatever it was that brought us together, I’m just happy I found him. I’ve made a lot of mistakes, but he is not one of them. He’s my person, my soulmate, my forever.
And we’re going to live happily, wildly ever after.
