Epilogue
If they pulled this off, it would be Cole’s biggest prank ever.
Leave it to her soon-to-be husband to involve her in the ultimate practical joke. Around her, guests mingled while waitstaff circulated with hors d’oeuvres. Everyone was unaware of what was to come next.
Marisa rubbed nervous palms on her column dress and then brushed aside the curls of hair that caressed her naked shoulders. As she did so, the diamond ring on her finger caught and reflected the light of the chandelier in the main ballroom of the Welsdale Golf & Tennis Club.
At the dais, Cole cleared his throat and called for attention, wineglass in hand. When everyone quieted, he said, “Thank you for joining us tonight. Marisa and I wanted to throw a big party to celebrate our engagement, so there are over two hundred of you here. Big love, big party—”
There was a smattering of laughter and applause.
Cole straightened his tie. “As some of you know, Marisa and I have had more excitement on the way to the altar than most people witness in an NHL game.”
Their guests grinned and laughed.
“I had a crush on her in high school.” He paused. “And I know what you all are thinking. Pershing’s super jock and practical joker thought he had a chance with the beautiful, smart girl who sat in front of him in economics class? She had a mind and a body that turned him into brainless teenage mush.”
Marisa swallowed against the sudden lump in her throat.
Cole shrugged. “So I did the only logical thing. I hid how I felt and told no one. Flash forward fifteen years. I got lucky when my fantasy woman skated onto my rink again. This time I knew I wasn’t going to let her get away. I asked her to marry me.”
Marisa blinked rapidly. Everything Cole had said was true, and yet, he’d cast it in a light that she’d never seen before.
Cole extended his arm. “Marisa, I love you.”
A path opened for Marisa as people stepped aside. On shaky legs, she walked toward Cole, who gazed at her with love in his eyes. She placed her hand in his, and raising the skirt of her dress with the other she stepped up onto the dais.
Their friends and family hooted and clapped.
“That was quite a speech,” she murmured for Cole’s ears only. “I nearly ruined my makeup.”
He grinned. “You would have looked gorgeous for the photos anyway.”
“You’re blinded by love.”
“I wouldn’t have it any other way, sweet pea.” He gave her a quick peck on the lips before turning back to their audience, keeping his hand linked with hers.
“Save the PDA for the honeymoon,” Jordan called from the side of the room, to much laughter.
“Thanks for the great lead-in,” Cole answered. “Because Marisa and I are getting married. Tonight. Right now.”
There were audible gasps, and people looked at each other.
The officiant she and Cole had chosen stepped forward from the side of the room.
“Surprise,” Cole announced, and then he pulled Marisa into his embrace for another kiss.
When Cole had first suggested the idea of a surprise wedding, Marisa had thought he was kidding, but she couldn’t have asked for anything more. She felt like a bride in every sense. She’d paired an embroidered lace-and-ivory gown with high-heeled gold sandals. And of course, she’d marry Cole anytime, anywhere.
There was a flurry of activity as their guests allowed themselves to be shepherded out of the ballroom and into one that had been secretly set up for a wedding ceremony. A photographer would be documenting the festivities, and a florist waited nearby to hand Marisa a tightly packed bouquet of white roses.
Marisa felt her heart swell, and then caught Cole’s grin. Suddenly struck with an idea, she bit back a mischievous smile.
“Oh, Cole, this has been so overwhelming. I think... I think...” She closed her eyes and pretended to swoon melodramatically.
Cole wrapped strong arms around her. “Marisa?”
She opened her eyes and said teasingly, “I’ll be falling into your embrace for the rest of our lives.”