Back Check (Aces Hockey #4)(6)

 

It was weird how your view of things shifted. As a kid, twenty-six million dollars would have sounded obscene. Now it was just what it was. Lots of players these days were signing long-term contracts worth that or more.

 

"No worries." Lovey led the way into the living room, where everyone already sat. "Can I get you something to drink? Coffee? Pop? Milk?"

 

He grinned. "I'm good, thanks."

 

"You haven't met our new wedding planner."

 

Tanner's gaze fell on the woman seated in an armchair near the window, a folder of papers open on her lap. His heart pitched into a fast rhythm and adrenaline tingled through his veins right to his fingertips. His feet stopped moving, every muscle in his body tensing.

 

"Katelyn Medford." Lovey said the name he already knew. "This is Tanner Bennet. Tanner, Katelyn is our new wedding planner."

 

Katelyn rose to her feet and took two steps toward him, hand outstretched.

 

Goddamn, she was as gorgeous as ever. Maybe even more … her dark hair hung in thick, lustrous waves long enough to cover what he knew were sweet tits. Amazing eyes gazed back at him-the light green color striking against smooth olive skin, and tilted up at the corners slightly. Her face wasn't a perfect oval-her chin was a little too pointy-but her lips were full and a shiny pale pink, all her features combining to make her stunningly beautiful.

 

"Tanner," she murmured. "We've met."

 

Tanner only had eyes for Katelyn, but he sensed Lovey's confusion as she asked, "You have?"

 

"We went to college together," Katelyn said, while Tanner's mind spun uselessly. "Many years ago."

 

He took Katelyn's hand to shake it-although it seemed absurd, given their past relationship. He studied her face, seeking out changes that had occurred in the eight years since he'd seen her. Really, she didn't look much different, just a little more mature and … confident. But now he saw the tightness at the corners of her eyes and the tense, fake smile. "Right," he mumbled. "College."

 

"I didn't know you knew each other!" Lovey clasped her hands together. "What a small world!"

 

"Yes." Katelyn's eyes cooled, although she still smiled. "Isn't it."

 

He released her hand and she gave him a cautious smile as she returned to the chair she'd been sitting in and picked up her folder. He still didn't move.

 

"Uh, you can sit here, Tanner." Lovey patted beside her on the couch.

 

 

 

        

          

        

         

 

"Right." Jesus. He took a seat and tried to focus.

 

Katelyn. Katelyn was here. The girl he'd loved with all his heart. Well, as much heart as he had, which he now knew wasn't much, except when it came to hockey.

 

It had been a long time ago. Eight years. They'd both been students at Michigan State.

 

Wow, he could totally get lost in a trip down memory lane, thinking about how they'd met, the fun they'd had together, the hot sexy times they'd shared … Christ. The heat between them had been enough to keep the entire Michigan State campus warm that winter. But then there was the last time they'd seen each other … tears and anger and bitter words.

 

Katelyn was talking and he was watching her pretty lips move, but he wasn't hearing a word she said. His gaze tracked down over her body. She wore a short-sleeved gray dress that could have been plain, except it was gathered in some kind of complicated pleat that emphasized her tiny waist. Elegant. Her slender legs were crossed, showing off gray suede shoes with a spiky heel that could be dangerous.

 

"Formal-wear … fittings … three months … "

 

She didn't seem to have any issues focusing on wedding business here. Tanner frowned. His gaze now moved to Katelyn's left hand … nope, no ring.

 

What was up with that? She should be happily married by now. He was pretty sure he'd heard she was engaged … a few years back.

 

Fuck. That didn't matter.

 

Now she was talking about save the date cards and making sure everyone had the wedding in their calendars.

 

"When's the wedding again?" he blurted.

 

"June thirtieth." Katelyn's eyes made his skin frost over. "I just said that."

 

"Right, right."

 

This earned him a peculiar look from Lovey.

 

He pulled his phone out and started swiping at the screen.

 

"What are you doing?" Lovey asked, amusement shading her voice.

 

"Putting it in my calendar." He flashed his best charming smile. "So I remember to show up."