Epilogue

Hayley

Dating Maxime Beaumont is different from any other relationship I've had before. He's attentive, caring, funny, and he makes me feel safe. Which is such a weird feeling. How dating him changes me .

And when my insecurities flare up, I just need to look at him or read one of his texts to remember that someone loves me for exactly who I am and that I should be kinder to myself.

Navigating his schedule isn't always easy, and it's insane how many road games he has, but we make it work. Thankfully the season will be over soon, and I'll have him all to myself. Selfishly, I wish they weren't doing so well so that he'd be off earlier, but I'm proud of him, of the whole team, and I want them to lift that Stanley Cup over their heads. They deserve it. I can handle waiting back for a couple of months until I steal him away for the summer. We've already planned a trip to France to visit his dad and stepmom, but mostly, we're just going to hang out and enjoy being together every day.

Today is a day off, and we spent it outside, shopping and walking in the park. We're now approaching Warlington Lane.

"Should we stop for ice cream?" he asks, cocking his head.

"I like how you think."

We enter the small ice cream parlor, and I eventually settle on a pistachio and chocolate ice cream while Maxime goes for a strawberry milkshake.

"Are you sure you don't want to try anything else?" the cashier asks, fluttering her long lashes. She has gorgeous blue eyes, and her pink apron complements her complexion. I can't see her body well because of the counter, but I can tell she's been gifted with an hourglass figure.

Maxime shakes his head. "No, I'm good. Thanks. "

"It's no trouble," she says, her eyes fixed on him. "Really. You can sample anything you want."

And I'm sure she really means that.

Maxime throws me a concerned look, but I just smile. Because yeah, I'm that girl now. Not even threatened by this gorgeous human being who's clearly hitting on my boyfriend. I can even appreciate the fact that other women are attracted to my hot boyfriend. I don't know if it's his constant reminders and comments about how much he loves me and how beautiful he finds me, or if I'm just getting used to seeing girls clambering all over him after the games. Either way, it's working.

"No, I'm good," he says, taking my hand. Even if I don't need that gesture to tone down my insecurities right now, I love that he's concerned about my feelings. Besides, holding Maxime's hand never gets old. I crave his rugged touch that's always warm, sending thousands of tingles through my body.

The server gives us the total, Maxime pays, and we leave the store with our treats.

"Such a hotshot," I say once we're on the sidewalk. "You could have had any sample you wanted."

He rolls his eyes, a chuckle escaping. "Gosh, that was wild. Sorry. "

"Don't apologize," I say, coming to a stop. I trail a finger down his cheek and place a long kiss on his lips. "I get it. My boyfriend is a hot hockey player who's incredibly hard to resist."

He raises an eyebrow. "Oh, is he now?"

"Mm-hmm," I say against his lips, and he presses his mouth to mine. Once again, I'm lost in the usual whirlwind of Maxime Beaumont's mind-blowing kisses, and I have no desire to get out. I let it swallow me whole until I'm just a puddle on the floor.

"You're the irresistible one, Hayley Nash," he adds, finishing me off once and for all.

There have been some new developments on our quaint little street these past few months. Almost all units are now claimed, and the atmosphere is livelier than ever. We've seen a lot of the NY Raptors lately, too, because Marissa is opening her coffee shop next week, and the guys helped with the renovations. She is the coach's daughter, after all. Though, Aaron, in particular, seemed to have taken his duty very seriously. From what I understand they're very good friends so it's not that surprising.

I'm not going to lie, it'd be nice to know someone else who's dating a Raptor. Emma and Alice come to most of the games, but they're not very interested in hockey, and I don't know how much longer they'll agree to tag along. I met the other wives and girlfriends, but I haven't clicked with any of them so far. Either it's the age difference or the fact that we don't have much in common. Plus, some of them are a little snobby. Not my crowd.

"Argh! ?a suffit maintenant! " Alice pesters, storming to the front door of the store.

The latest development? A new bar that's just opened next door. Run by a guy who likes to work with music blaring at full blast.

It's cool that our street is so narrow that it feels like a small village, but that also means forced proximity with our neighbors. Needless to say, it's been an adjustment.

Mr. Darcy meows, probably frightened by Alice's temper. Frankly, Emma and I are a little worried. Our sweet Alice is turning into a screaming harpy every time our neighbor moves a finger. And she's not even working today. She could be far away if she wanted to escape the noise.

I set down the plant I'm arranging in the front window, and Emma appears next to me, cradling Mr. Darcy in her arms. "Grab the popcorn," she jokes.

"What do you think she'll say this time? "

"I don't know, but I hope she gives it to him good. I'm proud of her for sticking to her guns."

I furrow my eyebrows, nodding. "Yeah. I'm a tiny bit worried about her blood pressure, though. Plus, he's not that bad. He did turn the volume down these past few days."

We can't see Alice anymore, but since the hardcore song just cut off on the guitar solo, I'm guessing she entered the bar.

We hold our breaths, waiting for our girl to return. It doesn't take long. After a few seconds, Alice marches back in, red as a tomato as she stomps her feet on the floor.

" Putain ," she growls, opening the door with the force of an Olympic weightlifter. "He's insufferable."

She's trembling like a leaf as she paces. "Is it so hard to respect your neighbors? I don't think so. Why does he have to listen to music with the volume cranked up?"

The music starts again next door, and she collapses on the couch. "Is he deaf?" she yells.

"Um, I know we're not," Emma says, putting Mr. Darcy down. He runs to his spot, tail between his legs.

"Just let it go," I say, focusing on the window display again. "At least it's only during the day. And with the door closed, we can barely hear it."

"But I know it's there. And I can hear it. "

"Fine," I say, holding in my laughter. If you ask me, Alice jumps at the opportunity to pester our neighbor a little too quickly. Though I would never say that to her. With the way she's been lately, who knows what she'd do? On top of being my best friend, she'll probably be my sister-in-law one day. I have to stay in her good graces.

Plus, it's none of my business. Although I did always think Alice would be best suited to an older, more mature guy, and judging by the salt-and-pepper hair he sports and the fact that he has a teenage daughter, our new neighbor would fit the bill. Well, the "mature" part remains to be proven. But maybe he likes these encounters just as much as Alice does—just a thought. And here I go daydreaming again, fabricating an enemies-to-lovers story out of a few altercations between neighbors. I have a tendency to do that.

Clearly, I read too many romance novels. I think it's starting to get to me.

A knock on the window distracts me, and my heart leaps when I see Maxime in his pregame suit.

I step away from the window as Maxime enters the store.

"What are you doing here?" I ask, falling into his arms. He kisses me on the forehead. "I didn't think I'd see you until after the game. "

"I know." He cups my face and kisses me with his usual tender fervor. "I wanted to see you before."

I kiss him back, wrapping my hands around his neck. "Thank you for stopping by. I love you."

"I love you too." He leans forward to kiss me again, but he stops mid-movement. "What's wrong with you ?" he asks, casting a side glance at Alice.

"I hate our new neighbor. That's what's up with me." She crosses her arms over her chest, leaning back against the couch to sulk.

Emma snorts, and Max and I chuckle.

"You know," he says. "I just finished reading a book like that. The girl hates her neighbor but—"

"Shh," I giggle, shutting him up with a kiss.

"No," he says, breaking the kiss. "It's true. I got it right here, actually. I'll show you."

Emma and I laugh, but Alice is redder than ever. "I'm not going to date that grump . I hate him, and besides, my life isn't a romance novel."

Max's eyes fall on me again, a small smile teasing his lips, and I know exactly what he's thinking. That everyone is the hero of their own book, and that there's an HEA in store for all of us. I'm so glad I didn't resist too long before surrendering to mine, because this is absolutely epic.