“The organization wants to start a youth dance program. Something to connect kids to the team, to give them access, mentorship… a place to learn and belong.” My voice softened. “To show them what dance can be. What it did for me. And how it can lead to a spot with the dancers in the future, if they want it.”
Braden’s eyes searched mine, something like awe flickering there.
“They want me to lead it,” I finished.
For a heartbeat, he just stared at me, and then a wide, breathtaking smile spread on his face — the very one that had stolen my heart months ago.
“Em…” He let out a disbelieving laugh, his hands sliding up to cup my face. “That’s — are you kidding me? That’s perfect for you.”
My chest tightened. “You think so?”
“I know so,” he said without hesitation. “You light up every room you walk into. You care about people in a way that sticks with them. We’ve been talking about this for months now, the way you were with those girls at the jamboree, the way you saw what none of us did. And dance? It’s always been more than just a hobby for you.” He shook his head, smiling like he couldn’t help it. “I’ve seen you light up when you move to music, when you’re free to explore. These kids… they’re going to have their worlds rocked. You’re going to change lives with something like this.”
Emotion climbed up my throat, thick and sudden.
“Claire said instead of turning in my uniform, we just change what it means.”
“Damn right we do,” he said.
I laughed softly, leaning into him again, and he held me tighter — like he was grounding me in it, in the possibility of it all.
We fell quiet after that, and the snow began to fall again.
“Playoffs are coming up,” Braden said after a moment, his voice thoughtful now. “If we can seal our spot with this next game.”
I tipped my head back to look at him. “You ready?”
He exhaled, eyes drifting out toward the mountains. “I don’t know what’s going to happen,” he admitted. “It’s… a lot. The pressure, the expectations.” His lips curved faintly. “But I do know I’m playing better than I ever have.”
I smiled. “You are.”
“And for the first time, I’m not in my head about it,” he added. “I’m just… in it.”
“That’s a dangerous man right there,” I teased.
“Yeah?”
“Yeah. League’s not ready.”
He huffed a quiet laugh, pressing a kiss to my hair.
So much talking had happened over the last few days. We’d video chatted with my parents, who were holidaying in London with my dad’s family, and we’d checked in with Braden’s parents and Ginny, watching them open the gifts we’d sent.
Everyone was good. Everyone was okay.
And it felt like permission was granted to both of us to finally lean into whatweneeded next.
Braden shifted, pulling me fully into his arms now, wrapping me up as the snow continued to fall around us — soft and endless and quiet.
I tucked my face into his chest, breathing him in.
“What?” I asked when I felt him go still above me.
He was quiet for a long moment.
“Just thinking,” he said.
“About what?”