A Very Merry Hockey Holiday (Assassins #6.5)(19)

“The groom has these waiting for you.”

Reese awwed as Claire giggled. Going to the vase, she took in a big breath of them before grabbing the card and tearing it open.



Claire,

It was chance that I met you.

Fate that we fell in love.

And a blessing that you want to marry me.

I can’t wait to be yours for the rest of my life.

Enjoy picking the dress that will be the start of our forever.

I love you.

Yours,

Jude.



“Oh my God,” she gasped, covering her mouth. “He is so amazing.”

Reese smiled as she took the card and read it, tears gathering in her eyes. “You need to frame this.”

“I plan on it,” Claire agreed, taking the card and tucking it back in the envelope. On cloud nine, she began searching for her dress, but she wasn’t having any luck. She had tried on thirteen dresses and really didn’t like any of them. She wanted something perfect. She wanted a forever kind of love dress. Defeated, she let out a breath and met Reese’s gaze.

“The dress might not be here.”

“But yours was,” Claire said and then she paused. She loved Reese’s dress. Like, a lot. Turning slowly, she met Reese’s gaze. “Wait. You’re like my mom, right?”

Reese smiled. “Well, yeah.”

“You know how brides wear their mom’s dresses… So can I wear yours?”

Reese’s eyes clouded with tears as she slowly nodded. “I would love that.”

She wrapped her arms around Claire tightly, kissing her cheek. “I love you so much, Claire.”

“So that’s a yes?” she asked and Reese laughed.

“Yes, of course!”

Closing her eyes, Claire hugged Reese and knew this was the right choice. Phillip and Reese’s love was something out of books, and her dress was gorgeous. It was a forever kind of love dress, and Claire couldn’t think of anything else she’d rather wear than Reese’s dress.

Her mom.



Being home was great. She spent time with her family, got to see some of her friends, and it was wonderful. But, she missed Jude. It was Christmas Eve night and Claire knew she should be happy, but she wasn’t. She hated that she wasn’t with him. Closing her eyes, she waited for him to answer as a tear rolled slowly down her cheek.

When he answered, she said, “I miss you.”

His chuckle sent chills down her spine. “I miss you, baby, two more days.”

“But you won’t be here for presents or pie or anything. I’m going to be lonely without you.”

“You will not. I bet Sawyer is driving you crazy.”

“He is, but I miss you,” she whined, wishing like hell that there was no distance between them. “I’m going to wake up and you won’t be here on my favorite holiday.”

“Wow, thanks for making me feel like an ass,” he complained and she felt bad instantly.

“I’m sorry.”

He laughed. “I know this sucks. It does, but I promise I’ll make it up to you.”

“No, I’m sorry, you’re right, I’m being a brat. I just hate being apart. As soon as my contract is up, I’m done, and I swear you are going to have to peel me off you.”

“I look forward to it. I love you, Claire. I do. So much.”

“I love you more than that,” she said with all the conviction in the world. Sometimes people picked at them saying they were so young and in love, but she loved it. She loved how intense they were about each other and couldn’t wait until the moment they would be joined together as one. It would be the most amazing occasion of her life with everyone there to share in their love. They may be young, but they knew this was it. This was forever.

They talked for a little longer about his parents, and then she yawned, dead on her feet. She had gone shopping with Reese and Sawyer for last-minute gifts.

Laughing he said, “Okay, I’ll call you tomorrow before the game.”

She smiled as she pushed back her tears. “I’ll be watching.”

“Good. Enjoy your gifts tomorrow.”

“I wish you were one of them. That would be so hot, you under the tree with a bow.”

He chuckled. “I was thinking the same thing, but you with bows on your naughty bits.”

She giggled as heat engulfed her. “Don’t turn me on if you can’t get me off.”

He scoffed. “Oh, baby, I can get you off with just my words, but I don’t want you coming, screaming in your uncle’s house. He already wants to kill me ninety-nine percent of the time.”

She giggled. “But hey, that one percent, he likes you.”

“I doubt that, but he’ll like me soon enough.”

“Sure,” she agreed and he laughed.

“Okay, I love you. Call you tomorrow.”

“Love you too.”

When she hung up, the sadness was there, but this was the life she’d chosen. Hockey players came and went on the holidays, so she’d better get used to it. Especially since she was about to marry one.



“Claire! Claire! Claire!”

Claire slowly opened one eye to see Sawyer on her chest, smacking her with his palms.