"Even so, she can help."
Lovey's words of praise pleased Katelyn. "Thanks, Lovey. I'll leave a few of my cards in case anyone else is interested in event planning."
"You know." Sidney cocked her head. "I actually could use your help professionally."
"How so?"
"I have a mixology consulting business. I often arrange parties to launch new cocktail menus at bars and restaurants. Having Aubree now means not as much time for some things. Would you be interested in that kind of work?"
"Absolutely! It sounds fun."
"I could really use some help for a party coming up next month. I love doing it, but not when it takes me away from her." With a soft expression on her face, she glanced over at the baby Amber was holding.
"We should talk, then." Katelyn smiled. "Call me tomorrow, or any time that works for you."
She all but danced back to the kitchen to get the fruit platter. Taking this wedding planning job had already turned into more business for her, and that was important. It had been a shock to have Tanner walk back into her life, but she could deal with that if it meant more business. She hoped.
Chapter 8
The gifts had been opened, the wrapping paper gathered up, much of the food consumed, and several bottles of wine drunk when a bunch of big men arrived at the condo, changing the atmosphere from pink and girly to vibrating with testosterone.
Katelyn stared as half the Aces team walked in, there to pick up wives and girlfriends. Except why was Tanner there? He didn't have someone to pick up. Or did he? Had she missed something in all the introductions? Did he have a girlfriend?
"Hey, sexy baby mama." He greeted Sidney with a kiss on her cheek. "Look at you. Gorgeous as ever."
She smiled affectionately at him. "Thanks. First time I've put on real clothes and lipstick since Aubree was born."
"Where is she?"
"Right here." Jared had his little girl cradled in his arms.
"I want to see her." Tanner edged closer as if the baby was an explosive device and peered down. "Oh. She's really cute."
"You want to hold her?"
"No!" Tanner held up his hands and took a step back. "Fuck no. I mean, sorry … "
Sidney laughed. "It's okay, I don't think she's going to be repeating that word for a while."
"Babies scare the crap out of me," Tanner muttered.
Katelyn sucked on her bottom lip to hide her amusement.
"I'm afraid I'll break them," Tanner said. "Or they'll cry."
Katelyn's heart turned over in her chest at this big, rough, tough hockey player terrified of a tiny human.
Jared rolled his eyes. "Okay, fine. You can help me carry the gifts down to the car, then." He handed Aubree to Sidney.
"I can do that." Tanner turned and met Katelyn's eyes. "Oh hey, Katelyn."
She quickly looked away in case he could see how she'd been watching him and the baby. "Hi. The gifts are over here." She gestured at all the lovely things-beautiful picture frames, soft little blankets, and some adorable baby girl outfits that she was pretty sure didn't come from Target.
Tanner and some of the other guys loaded up and carried the gifts down to Jared's car in one trip, which was no doubt the reason he'd brought the whole team back here with him. When they returned, Jared asked, "Any food left?"
"There's lots," Katelyn said with a smile. "I was about to put it away."
"No, don't put it away," Marc said. "We're starving."
"How about a piece of pink cake?" Lovey asked. "Is your masculinity secure enough to eat pink cake?"
"I love cake," Tanner said. "Don't care what color it is."
Katelyn remembered his love of cake.
"There's one piece left." Katelyn slid it onto a plate and handed it over. "Dig in."
"Why does he get the last piece?" Duncan demanded.
"Here. Have a cake pop." She handed the big guy a little pink cake on a stick.
He frowned at it, then shrugged and popped it in his mouth.
"Did you bake this?" Tanner forked up a piece of cake.
"God, no. I'm an event planner, not a caterer."
"Huh." He swallowed. "Damn, that's good."
"Right?" Marc said. "Try these ham things."