She was just starting to run off the field when I crooked my finger in her direction.
Frowning, she jogged up to me. “Hey, what’s up? Are you okay? Did you get hurt? I’m so sorry we lost—”
“I can still win,” I interrupted.
“Oh?” She grinned as people started moving around us, giving me the space I needed to drop down to one knee.
And suddenly the rest of the team was surrounding us.
Em walked up to me, and gave me the biggest hug. “She’ll say yes, I promise. I’m so proud of you, and she would be too, ya dumb football player.”
“Cheer hard, cheer-tator,” I teased back, using her nickname from high school.
She joined Sanchez’s side and I got down on one knee.
Kinsey gasped when her mom stepped forward with roses and a plate of cookies. Naturally, we had to celebrate once my woman said yes, and I figured she’d want a piece of her dad with us.
“Kinsey Romonov—”
“Yes!” She jumped into the air amidst hoots and hollers as well as laughter.
“Baby.” I laughed. “You gonna let me finish?”
She’d actually knocked me on my ass.
“Oh.” She braced her hands on either side of the grass, then leaned down and kissed me on the mouth. “Yes, I’ll marry you.”
“You stole my sentence.”
“Talk faster next time.”
“Kins—”
She huffed out a breath and smiled.
“Will you really marry me?”
“Yes. I only said yes three times.” She kissed me across the mouth and said it for a fourth. “Yes, Quinton Miller . . . best tight end with a tight end in the league, I’ll marry you.”
My team all burst out laughing.
Yeah, I wasn’t going to get rid of that nickname for a very long time. Thanks, Kins.
Mine.
She was mine.
I just hadn’t known it.
She helped me to my feet while the crowd around us cheered, a few of the Dallas players came over to congratulate us, and my team lifted her into the air and cheered.
They walked off with her.
I stayed back.
Em reached for my hand.
I squeezed it tight. “Well, best friend, definitely not how I would have written the story.”
She laid her head on my shoulder. “Me neither.” I wrapped my arm around her. “It’s better. This is the way it was supposed to be.”
“It’s everything it was supposed to be.”
She nodded.
“Thank you for being you, Em.”
“I’m so proud to call you friend, Miller.”
Full circle.
Just like I said.
Everything.
Everything comes full circle.
That’s life.
And mine?
Was just getting started—all because she said yes.
Acknowledgments
Thank you, GOD, for this amazing job. I honestly wake up every day pinching myself and wondering how I’m able to do what I love! I’m so honored and blessed to have incredible publishers, readers, bloggers, just PEOPLE in my life who make this job so amazing. I can’t even call it a job, it’s a passion, it’s something I do because I love it so much.
Thank you, Erica, for being the best agent around. I can’t even describe how much I think about you and the impact you’ve had on my life. I want to give you to every author out there yet feel so selfish about you at the same time (hah-hah).
Skyscape, one of the best publishers in the world: I’m daily honored to work with you and hope to keep writing stories until you tell me no. ;)
Thor and Nate: thank you for being so understanding and helping inspire some of my best work!
The Rockin’ Readers: GAH, you guys are the best family EVER!!! I’m so lucky to have you and your support. I know that at a drop of the hat I can ask for help and you’ll be there ASAP. It’s so encouraging to have a group of readers that are family to me and I’m so blessed with you guys. Thank you!
To my awesome publicist (Nina!) at Social Butterfly PR and to JILL, oh gosh, JILL (my sister!): I think I would actually just be rocking in a corner without you two! Thank you for keeping me sane, for making all the things work, and just for being so awesome!
Liza, Kristin, Jessica, Lauren, Michelle—EVERYONE who worked on this book with me: I’m so thankful for your input and hard work! Thank you so much.
And bloggers: I love you. I really do. I would not be able to do what I do without you guys. Thank you for your constant support and help with all the things!
I hate these because I always forget people. It really does take a village and I’m so thankful for mine!
HUGS,
RVD
About the Author
Photo © 2014 Lauren Watson Perry, Perrywinkle Photography
Rachel Van Dyken is a New York Times, Wall Street Journal, and USA Today bestselling author. When she’s not writing about hot hunks for her Regency romance or New Adult fiction books, Rachel is dreaming up new hunks. (The more hunks, the merrier!) While Rachel writes a lot, she also makes sure she enjoys the finer things in life—like The Bachelor and strong coffee.
Rachel lives in Idaho with her husband, son, and two boxers. Fans can follow her writing journey at www.RachelVanDykenAuthor.com and www.facebook.com/rachelvandyken.
Rachel Van Dyken, Infraction
(Series: Players Game # 2)
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