The groomsmen were handsome in their black tuxes, the small orange boutonnieres matching the bouquets of orange and cream roses, freesias, and pale green hydrangeas. The bridesmaids looked stunning in shimmery apricot gowns-including Randi, for whom a late dress change had been necessary because she was now four months pregnant. They'd had a bit of a scramble at that (happy) news, but Katelyn had handled it.
And of course Lovey was gorgeous. There'd been emotional moments with tears, a little stress when the officiate had called her Lovina repeatedly, even though she'd clearly told him she wanted him to use "Lovey." She'd turned to give Katelyn a "what the fuck?" look, then shrugged and continued.
The ceremony had been beautiful. The reception was moving along perfectly. The tall flower arrangements on each table complemented the bouquets perfectly, with smaller vases and candles glowing amid sparkling glass and cutlery. A few of them had burned out and Katelyn had quickly made replacements with the spares she'd stocked. The lights of downtown buildings were starting to glitter in the June dusk through the big windows, and the overhead chandeliers cast a perfect glow on the ballroom.
They'd had one unexpected meal issue with a guest who hadn't let them know that she was vegan, but Katelyn had tactfully and hastily arranged a last-minute meal replacement with the hotel's wedding director.
And another good thing that had come of this … the wedding director at the hotel had turned out to be a lovely woman with whom Katelyn had really clicked, and who had now made three referrals to Katelyn for other weddings. Yay!
Soon, Tanner's duties would be done and they could spend a few minutes together.
The time for the first dance arrived and the bride and groom stepped onto the dance floor. They smiled into each other's eyes as Michael Bublé sang "Everything."
Emotion rose in Katelyn's throat and she touched a fingertip to a tear at the corner of her waterproof-mascaraed eye.
It wasn't a surprise to her, but it was to the guests when the music stopped and the bride and groom stepped apart. She grinned.
A new song started, the quick rhythm leading to "Baby Got Back" by Sir Mix-a-Lot.
The crowd roared as Lovey and Marc started a dance, Lovey's rap moves in her floaty, shimmering dress impressive.
Katelyn couldn't help bopping to the catchy rhythm from her place at the back of the ballroom, smiling as the newly married couple shook their booties. When the song called "Fellas!" the groomsmen all shouted back, and when the song called "Ladies!" the bridesmaids did the same, eventually all of them joining the bride and groom on the dance floor, shaking it.
Katelyn knew this was what Lovey had wanted-pure fun and joy and celebration, however untraditional.
The music changed again, to a slower dance song, and the wedding party paired up, Tanner dancing with Amber. When that ended, Tanner left the dance floor and headed toward Katelyn.
She smiled at him. "Hi. Thanks for coming."
He rolled his eyes. "As if I wouldn't show up."
"It hasn't been so bad, has it?"
She knew his dislike of weddings, his belief that marriages all ended in divorce. He'd not only showed up, he'd helped out with a smile on his face and supported Marc and Lovey and the nervous best man.
"Not so bad."
"Is this the best wedding in the world, or what?" She grinned at him.
He laughed. "Maybe. Hey, come meet a friend of mine, he's not going to be staying long." He took her hand and led her across the ballroom to another table where some of the Aces players sat. She'd met most of them, but not the tall, lean man who rose as Tanner approached.
"Hey, Hallsy. This is my girlfriend, Katelyn. Katelyn, Max Hall."
She smiled and shook Max's hand. Although she hadn't met him, she knew his story … his young wife had passed away just over a year ago and he hadn't played hockey since. "Nice to meet you."
"So you're coming back in the fall?" Tanner said to Max.
"Yeah. That's the plan."
"That's so good. We need you."
Max smiled, though his eyes held shadows. "Hopefully I can keep up with you."
"I heard you're working out with Jake at Elite Sports."
"Yeah. They're kicking my ass."
Tanner grinned. "Good."
They made a little more small talk, then Tanner's head jerked around as the music changed. "Excuse us," he said to Max, then turned to Katelyn. "Dance with me, beautiful lady."