Maverick, Emmy, and several teammates attend a Pilates class taught by Lexi. Before the class, Maverick privately tells Hudson about his plan to bring Emmy’s father to the game and asks if Duke would be willing to assist. He then admits to Hudson that his feelings for Emmy are serious and that he is now a “one-woman man.” Hudson confirms his father would be happy to help. During the difficult workout, most of the hockey players struggle, with the notable exception of Hudson. Emmy proposes a bet to Maverick: If he can finish the class without stopping, he gets to do whatever he wants to her that night, but if he stops, she gets to do whatever she wants to him.

Emmy stays the night at Maverick’s apartment before the team leaves for their road trip. She confesses that she recently told her friends that they have been sleeping together for months and are now dating. Maverick reveals that Hudson already knows about their relationship and is happy for them. He confirms the final plan to pick up her father in a rented van early in the morning. During their “question of the day” game, Maverick says he is most proud of restraining himself from killing Emmy’s ex, Cole. Emmy says she is most proud of not letting “the noise surrounding the sport [she loves] get too loud” (357). She’s also proud of herself for having proved doubters wrong while finding a place she wants to stay and a person she wants to be with. They then share an intimate night together.

Maverick and Emmy drive to Lansing and pick up her father, Alan Hartwell. At the arena in Detroit, Maverick surprises them with a private suite where Alan and Duke can watch the game comfortably. While Emmy is away from the suite, Alan asks Maverick how long he has been in love with her. The direct question forces Maverick to confront his feelings, and he realizes he does love Emmy. The Stars win the game, during which Emmy scores a goal. After they drop Alan back home, Emmy rests her head on Maverick’s shoulder as they ride the hotel elevator, and he silently reflects on his newfound love for her.

Emmy goes to Maverick’s apartment and surprises him by wearing red lingerie under her coat. They share a slow, intimate sexual encounter, during which Maverick reveals he has an appointment to get a tattoo of the word “mine” on his hand. He tells Emmy that she is perfect for him and he will never get enough of her. Afterward, as they talk, Maverick almost confesses his love but holds back. They reminisce about their first meeting, and Emmy lists all the qualities she admires in him beyond his looks, such as his kindness and confidence. Maverick, in turn, reassures her that she is “more than enough” (375).

After practice, Coach Saunders calls Maverick into his office to discuss a potential trade offer from Toronto. The deal would send Emmy, Finn Adams when he is healthy again, and a first-round draft pick in exchange for star winger Justin Harper. Maverick admits to the coach that he and Emmy are “involved.” Coach Saunders assures him the decision will be based solely on what is best for the team, not their personal relationship. Fulfilling his role as captain, Maverick tells the coach he supports whatever he decides. Coach Saunders says he will make a final decision within 48 hours and gives Maverick permission to tell Emmy about the possibility of the trade.

Feeling overwhelmed, Maverick asks Dallas, Reid, and Hudson for advice. He confesses that he and Emmy are dating, that she might be traded, and that he is in love with her. Reid lays out a plan: Maverick should first tell Emmy the bad news about the trade, then immediately confess his love and propose a strategy for making a long-distance relationship work. Hudson reassures Maverick that Emmy’s feelings are mutual, noting that he often sees her looking at Maverick when he isn’t aware. Bolstered by their support, Maverick calls Emmy and asks to come to her apartment to talk.

Maverick arrives at Emmy’s apartment, tells her about the potential trade to Toronto, and blurts out that he loves her. He promises they can make a long-distance relationship work. Emmy immediately tells him she loves him too, revealing she knew it when he offered to drive to pick up her dad. Their conversation is interrupted by a call from Coach Saunders. Maverick takes the call and learns the trade has been officially approved. Emmy must report to Toronto in three days.

The team gathers at Maverick’s apartment for a farewell dinner. During the party, their teammate Seymour announces that his partner, Brooke, is pregnant. Soon after, Maverick and Emmy tell the entire team that they are in a serious relationship and love each other, receiving their friends’ full support. Later that night, Maverick reassures Emmy of his fidelity by showing her the hundreds of unread direct messages he has from other women on social media. He also confirms that his phone password, 3669, is her name spelled out on a keypad.

On the morning of her departure, Emmy and Maverick spend time skating together on the empty rink. Before they leave, Maverick surprises her by revealing a brand-new, fully equipped women’s locker room he and Coach had been working on for a while, which was delayed by permitting. He apologizes it wasn’t ready sooner and tells her it will be officially named The Hartwell Room in her honor and will serve future women on the team. After dropping Emmy off at the airport, Maverick secretly boards a private jet and flies to Toronto. When Emmy arrives at her hotel, she is shocked to find him waiting inside. He explains that the coach gave him a personal day so she wouldn’t have to spend her first night in a new city alone. For his question of the day, he asks how she feels about him “bugging” her forever.

One year later, Emmy returns to the Civic Center as the franchise player for the new Baltimore Sea Crabs, preparing for an exhibition game against Maverick’s team. She and Maverick are still deeply in love and share an apartment between their two arenas. Under the guise of a promotional photoshoot, Maverick lures Emmy onto the ice. He reveals that he has been counting their “question of the day” game, and for the 500th question, he gets down on one knee and proposes. Emmy enthusiastically accepts as their teammates, friends, and family emerge to celebrate, having been in on the surprise. The newly engaged couple shares a private moment where Emmy reveals a new tattoo of the word “mine” in Maverick’s handwriting, matching his tattoo for her.