Back Check (Aces Hockey #4)(47)

 

She closed her eyes. "I'm not ready for that."

 

He nodded. "Okay. I'll let you know about the tickets. Uh … I better get your number."

 

She smiled and they entered each other's numbers into their cellphones.

 

She followed him to her apartment door and handed him his jacket. "It's stopped snowing." She glanced out the window. "Are you going to take a taxi?"

 

"Yeah, just to save time-but seriously, it's not that far." He set his hands on her hips and pulled her against him. "Next time you come to my place."

 

"Okay." She twined her arms around his neck and went onto her toes to kiss him. "Mmm."

 

The kiss went hot and deep, and they both had to pull away, breathing fast. "Shit," he murmured, touching her face. "I don't even know when I'll see you next. Maybe Monday?"

 

She nodded. "Sure."

 

She smiled as she waved goodbye to him, but the smile turned to a pout as she closed the door behind him. Ah well. She had a busy life, as did he. She wasn't sure what exactly this was, other than "trying again," or where it would go, given his uncertain status with the Aces. For someone who liked to plan, that was a little unsettling-okay, a lot unsettling-but she had to admit, she wanted to give this a shot.  

 

She poured herself a cup of coffee, then sat on her unmade bed and texted Rachel. Want to go to a hockey game tomorrow night?

 

She tossed her phone down. Rachel was probably still asleep at this hour on a Saturday morning. She'd shower and get dressed.

 

Forty minutes later, hair and makeup done, dressed in black pants and a black turtleneck sweater, she started packing up to leave. She grabbed her phone from the bed and checked it. Eeep. Six messages from Rachel.

 

HOCKEY GAME? WHAT?

 

Where are you?

 

What hockey game? The Aces game?

 

What is going on?

 

WHERE ARE YOU?

 

DAMMIT, WHY ARE YOU TORTURING ME LIKE THIS?

 

 

 

Katelyn let out a little laugh and quickly typed in a message. Sorry, sorry. Took a shower.

 

She sent that one, then continued. I have a lot to tell you. We need to talk.

 

Her phone rang almost immediately. "What?" cried Rachel.

 

Katelyn laughed. "I'm on my way out. Or should I say up."

 

"Where are you going?"

 

"I have a party tonight here at the Hancock Center, on the ninety-fourth floor. I'm on my way there to meet the florist and the caterer."

 

"Let's meet for lunch, then. Can you do that?"

 

"Yes. How about downstairs at The Cheesecake Factory?"

 

"Oh, you bitch, I love The Cheesecake Factory, and so does my ass."

 

Katelyn laughed. "Your ass is gorgeous."

 

They arranged a time and she grabbed her briefcase and purse to head out.

 

She was lucky to be able to have the party here, because the event center had preferred vendors they used, but the Reiss family had some pull and the children were adamant they wanted to use her after she'd done bar and bat mitzvahs for three of their kids.

 

What she wouldn't give to be a preferred vendor.

 

Maybe someday. She just had to keep working hard and doing the best job she could and her business would grow.

 

They had the north side of the floor for the party, and it had already been set up for the hundred guests expected for the hors d'oeuvres buffet. She reviewed details with the caterer and directed the florist where to put the big arrangements of flowers-tall vases and centerpieces of pale yellow roses, white lilies, and carnations accented with elegant gold ribbons.

 

She located the boxes of decorations that had been delivered, and set out candles on all the tables, to be lit later. There were small gold boxes of expensive chocolates to be handed to guests later and special gold-accented flutes for the anniversary couple to drink champagne from.

 

Okay, all was in order and she could take off until closer to party time. She rode down to the lobby of the building and exited to descend to the outside restaurant.

 

It was busy there, but Rachel had already arrived and given their name.

 

"You know I'm dying of curiosity," Rachel said as they stood in the busy entrance. "How could you do this to me?"

 

Katelyn laughed nervously. "I didn't do it intentionally."

 

"Rachel, party of two."

 

"Yay. I'm starving."

 

They followed the server into the restaurant. Once they'd ordered coffee and lunch, Rachel folded her arms on the table and looked at her expectantly.

 

"Okay!" Katelyn smiled brightly. "Last night I slept with Tanner."

 

Rachel's jaw slackened and her eyes bugged out. She reached for a glass of water and gulped some down. "No. Way."