Penn leaned down and kissed him on the cheek. "West, wake up. It's almost eight."

West blinked at her a few times and rubbed his eyes. "Hey. Morning, Pixie."

She placed a breakfast tray of eggs, bacon, toast, and juice in front of him. "Morning, gorgeous. Time for breakfast."

"You know, this is the second time you’ve brought me breakfast in bed. I might get used to this." He yawned. "Wait. I didn't have any of this stuff in my fridge."

"Um, I borrowed your truck and went shopping. Your fridge was in a really sad state."

"You did?"

She took a seat next to him on the bed. "I hope that's okay. I wanted to help, so I picked up some of the basics. I know you have practice later. I figured since I was up, why not?"

He leaned back against the headboard. "It's more than okay. It's appreciated."

"Eat and then take a shower. I have something I need to show you."

He grinned and gave her a lingering once-over. "Can't you show me now?"

Her cheeks burned at his scrutiny, but secretly, she was thrilled that he was so attracted to her. "Don't you ever get enough, Keller?"

"Not of you. You should know that by now."

"I'll be downstairs waiting. Maybe that will get you moving faster."

"I have to eat breakfast all alone?"

She paused at the door and grinned. "I’ll be right downstairs, you big baby. Besides, I need to put the dishes in the dishwasher."

Twenty minutes later, he met her in the kitchen, dressed in the faded jeans he wore the night before, and a grey t-shirt.

"Okay. I'm stuffed, clean, and ready for whatever you want to show me." He brushed a kiss against her lips. "Breakfast was delicious, by the way."

"Good." She dragged him toward the garage door. "C’mon. Let's go."

"Well, now I'm intrigued." He slid his sunglasses on and raised an eyebrow.

Penn fidgeted in the passenger seat, giving him directions as they drove through the Vegas streets. She pointed to a side street a few minutes later.

"Turn here. You can park around back."

He peered out of the driver’s side window at the little building. "What is this place?"

"You’ll find out. Come on." She pulled her keys from the pocket of her shorts as he parked the vehicle.

Penn led him up the stairs to the second floor. Her hands shook as she tried to unlock the door. After three unsuccessful attempts, it finally opened. "Go on in."

Giving her a curious look, he stepped into the tiny apartment. He glanced around at the sunny, yellow walls and the photos that hung there.

"What's going on, Penn?"

She led him into the living room. "I guess it's my turn to have a secret. This is my apartment, West. I moved here a month ago from Lakensville."

He blinked. "What? You mean you've been in Vegas for an entire month?"

She nodded.

"Why didn't you tell me?"

Penn led him to the couch and sank down onto the cushions. "After I went back home, I tried to get my head clear and figure out how to help my parents."

"They’re still struggling, but things have really improved. They’re having private counseling once a week with the pastor of their church, as well as going to a group for bereaved parents."

He looked impressed. "Wow. How in the hell did you get them to agree to that?"

"I pretty much forced them to take the reins when it came to the farm. I spent two months preparing them for my move. They weren't happy at first, but my dad is almost back to his old self. Mom is still having a hard time, but it’s getting better. I think the therapy is helping."

"But what about a job? Are you working?" he asked.

"I landed an interview thanks to Holly’s boss. Her best friend works part-time in veterinary medicine. The practice where she works hired me on as a full-time tech. Holly helped me find this apartment while I was in town for the interview, and I moved here a week later."

He took her hand. "Don’t get me wrong, I’m happy things are improving for you. I guess I just would have loved to know sooner."

Penn hesitated. "I wasn't even sure if you ever wanted to hear from me again. You never reached out to me. I know I didn’t reach out to you either, but I was still hurting, I guess. Honestly, I'd be lying if I said that I didn't hope we could be together once I moved out here. It factored into my decision."

"But West, as much as I wanted to be with you, I knew I couldn't do it if I was still struggling with so much baggage. I started seeing a therapist to talk about what happened with Danny. It's really helped me move forward."

West tossed his sunglasses on the coffee table. "Believe it or not, I started seeing someone a few weeks ago, too. I guess I just needed to figure out all of the shit happening with my dad, and I needed some help on how to finally deal with Drew’s death. I’m tired of burying it all. You made me realize I had to face that, Pixie."

She squeezed his hand. "I think that’s great, West. Really. Is it helping?"

He shrugged. "I guess time will tell, but for now, it’s been nice to have an hour a week to just get it all out, you know? Then I don’t even think about it much until the next week."

"Exactly," she agreed. "I do the same thing. It’s actually helped me focus better."

"Me, too," he told her. "I just want to be able to handle things better in my personal life, and be able to deal with things head on instead of sweeping them under the rug like I was doing. That didn’t work out too well for me."

He looked around at her apartment again. "I still can’t believe all of this. You’re really here to stay, baby?"

She took his hand. "I am. I know I told you last night, but I really love you, West. I've loved you since that moment we had together in the barn. You saw me at my worst, and you didn't waver. You never judged me. Honestly, I didn't know how I was going to live without you when it all ended. When I left the hotel after the wedding that day, I thought I’d lost another person I loved forever. I was crushed."

He sucked in a breath and pulled her close, burying his face in her hair. "I'm so sorry. I’m not sure I’ll ever forgive myself for that."

She pulled back and met his eyes. "I’m not sorry, West. Because you were right. Everything you said that morning was right. You said you couldn’t ask me to make such a big sacrifice for you, and that was true. I had too much on my plate, and I needed to sort things out and make decisions with a clear head."

"Don’t take this the wrong way, but I would still be here in Vegas even if this wasn't happening with us right now. I really needed a fresh start. But when you told me you loved me last night, I knew you meant it, West. I knew what was happening between us was real, so I had to bring you here. I had to share this with you."

He pressed a kiss to her lips. "I'm so damn proud of you, Pixie. And I’m so fucking happy you’re here."

"I really like it here! I love where I work, and now I have both you and Holly in my life. It's officially perfect."

He grinned. "Does this mean that you are officially my girlfriend?"

She threw her arms around him, and he laughed.

"Yes!" She covered his face with kisses. "Yes, I’m officially your girlfriend."

"You know this means you have to come to my home games every chance you get," he teased. "It's required."

"Is that in the official hockey player girlfriend rulebook?"

"Hmm." He rubbed his chin. "I’m pretty sure. I haven’t consulted it in, well…ever. But if it’s not listed, I’ll get them to amend it." He twirled a lock of her hair around his finger and smiled.

"You have that kind of power?"

He smirked. "They’ll listen to me. I’m kind of a big deal."

She giggled. "There’s that trademark West Keller cockiness I’ve grown to know and love."

"I’m pretty sure the rulebook states that you have to wear my jersey to all of the home games, too."

She stood and walked to the bedroom door, drumming her fingers on the frame. "Hmm."

He cocked a brow. "What? Do you have something against my last name? Or the number thirty?"

"No, but what will I do with the jersey I bought that has Eli's name and number on it? I can model it for you right now, if you want." She put a hand on her hip. "Interested?"

"Put it on." His eyes heated as they trailed down her body. "It will be just the excuse I need to rip it off of you. I'll get to see you naked and pitch it in the trashcan. It’s a win-win situation."

He got up from the couch and closed the distance between them in two strides, pinning her gently against the wall.

She slid her arms around his neck. "I really love you, West."

"I love you, too, Pixie." He stroked her cheek with the pad of his thumb. "But please, tell me you really don’t own Eli’s jersey."

She started laughing. "No. I promise, I don’t."

He sighed with relief. "Thank God. Because I seem to remember you volunteering to wear mine and make faces at me next to the glass. That offer still stand?"

"Get me one of your jerseys and you’ll find out."

"It’s a deal."

"Did I ever thank you for saving me on the side of the highway?"

He picked her up and set her in the middle of the bed, his mouth curving into a smile. "Yeah, I think you did. But you know what? You can thank me again right now."