Back Check (Aces Hockey #4)(33)

 

"Fuck off."

 

"That's not what you told Samantha."

 

"Yeah, that response would go over well."

 

"I don't like the trade rumors," Lovey fretted.

 

"Part of the game, babe," Duper said.

 

"I know. It could mess up our wedding, though."

 

"That's what you're worried about?" Duper gaped at her.

 

She rolled her eyes. "I'm kidding. The wedding's not until June. You'll still show up if you get traded to Anaheim, right, Tanner?"

 

He caught the teasing glint in her eye. "I don't know, Anaheim's far away. I might be too busy going to Disneyland and lying on the beach."

 

She gave him a punch in the shoulder that was more affectionate than punishing. "See you tomorrow."

 

-

 

Tanner didn't bother with a taxi, since the restaurant was within walking distance of his condo. It was definitely a crisp February evening, but not unbearable. His condo was near the river, so he took the River Esplanade, illuminated buildings towering above him and across the river, the lights reflected in the glimmering dark water. His breath puffed out in frosty gusts as he walked. A few blocks north on Michigan, then down Grand Avenue, and he was there.

 

He pulled off his knit cap and ran a hand over his hair as he entered the restaurant. The place had an old-world elegance, with lots of dark wood and leather and muted lighting. The servers even wore tuxedos. The hostess directed him up the stairs at the far side of the lounge, and he climbed to a mezzanine that had been set up with one long table.  

 

Another hostess took his coat from him, and he unwrapped his scarf and handed his outerwear to her with a smile, then turned to the guests already there-Lovey and Duper, of course; Amber and Army; Lovey's cousin Kendra and friend Randi … and Katelyn.

 

He hadn't seen her since that kiss last week after the baby shower, but he'd sure as hell been thinking about her. She gave him a chilly smile when he said hello.

 

She was pissed. Great.

 

He met Randi's husband, Anthony, and requested a scotch on the rocks when a server asked for drink orders. The other guests arrived shortly thereafter. He made a bunch of bullshit small talk, hyperaware of Katelyn as she did the same, the entire wedding party gathered in one spot, along with their spouses. Even Sidney came, although she said she wouldn't stay long, as she'd left her friend Frankie babysitting and Aubree wasn't taking a bottle very well.

 

"I know you hockey players are all superstitious, so you should probably know there are thirteen of us," Lovey said as everyone took their seats at the table. "But I promise it will be okay."

 

They all laughed.

 

"Thirteen's my lucky number," Tanner said as he searched out the place card with his name. There it was, beside Katelyn's. He gave Lovey a look with raised eyebrows and she smiled innocently at him.

 

He dropped onto his seat while Katelyn slid into hers. She looked amazing, as always, tonight wearing a sleeveless dress, the color of red wine, that was kind of pleated and bunched-up, so it was tight around her breasts and waist, and draped around her hips. There was probably some fancy name for the style, but he didn't know what it was.

 

"Am I allowed to tell you that you look gorgeous?" he asked in a low voice.

 

"No."

 

He sighed and took a big gulp of scotch. "You're pissed, aren't you?"

 

"What was your first clue?"

 

"Possibly the stab wounds in my back every time you look at me."

 

She snorted softly.

 

"I'm sorry," he said. "I shouldn't have kissed you."

 

"No, you shouldn't have. And Lovey shouldn't have seated us next to each other."

 

"Come on. You said you wanted us to be friends, or at least pretend to be for the sake of the wedding."

 

"That didn't mean making out in the bride's kitchen!"

 

He grinned. "My mistake." He caught the twitch of her lips. "Come on, it's not the end of the world."

 

"It could be. Okay, not the whole world." She turned to him. "It's my professional reputation I'm concerned about. Nobody wants a wedding planner who makes out with one of the groomsmen in the kitchen."

 

"Huh." He hadn't thought about that. "Lovey won't say anything." He paused. "Will she?"

 

"I hope not. I apologized for my lack of professionalism. It can't happen again."

 

"Damn."

 

Her eyes widened.

 

Hell, he'd said that out loud. He leaned closer, breathing in her scent, a sultry mix of nectarine and spice. "Also, FYI … you kissed me back."