Back Check (Aces Hockey #4)(9)

 

"Yes! Get out of here!" Everyone started shoving him toward the door and he bolted out.

 

"Oh my God, I can't believe it!" Lovey laughed with delight as they all returned to the kitchen. "Their due date was yesterday," she informed Katelyn. "We've been waiting for this to happen."

 

"That's awesome." Katelyn smiled with genuine warmth. She sipped her wine. Her gaze drifted to Tanner, then quickly away.

 

"We have a pool going on whether it's a boy or girl," Amber said. "They don't even know. This is so exciting."

 

"We have a game tomorrow night," Army said. "Guess Rupper might not make it."

 

"Sure he will." Hughie waved a hand. "They're having the baby now."

 

"Sometimes it takes a while," Lovey said. A worried crease appeared between her eyebrows. "I hope it all goes well for them." She lifted her glass in a toast. "To baby Rupp!"

 

They all toasted. Then Lovey said to Katelyn, "Maybe there will be another wedding for you to plan. Jared and Sidney said they were going to get married after the baby was born."

 

 

 

        

          

        

         

 

Katelyn smiled. "That would be great."

 

"So, Katelyn." Hughie moved up beside her and leaned in. "Are you as beautiful on the inside as you are on the outside?"

 

Katelyn's laugh was like warm honey.

 

Tanner's fingers gripped his beer bottle and he narrowed his eyes at his teammate.

 

 

 

 

 

Chapter 3

 

 

Katelyn smiled at the big man beside her. He was cute, with his square jaw and short-cropped light brown hair. He reminded her of Moose in the Archie comics. She shook her head at him.

 

Marc gave him a light cuff on the head. "Leave her alone."

 

"I'm just being friendly." He turned back to her. "So you're a wedding planner. Did you plan your own wedding?"

 

"Smooth," Tanner muttered.

 

Katelyn grinned, although it was a crooked grin, trying not to look at Tanner. "I'm not married."

 

"Ah. Good to know." Hughie tipped his bottle to his mouth.

 

"I better get going." Jillian set her empty wineglass on the counter with a clink.

 

"Yes, me too." Katelyn tipped back the last of her wine. "Thanks for the drink, Lovey."

 

"Thank you, for coming tonight. I'm looking forward to working with you on the wedding."

 

"Same."

 

Lovey bustled around getting coats and jackets as everyone else made a move to leave also.

 

Katelyn tried not to be aware of Tanner as he pushed his arms into a leather jacket and wrapped a scarf around his neck, while Marc Dupuis held her coat for her. "Thanks." She flashed a smile over her shoulder at Marc and tugged her long hair out from under her collar. She picked up her briefcase and purse, and her heels clicked across the hardwood floor as she walked to the door. There, Lovey surprised her with a quick hug.

 

"Sorry, I don't know you well, but I feel like I do," Lovey said. "So we'll see you Sunday."

 

"Right." She was going to accompany Lovey on a wedding gown hunt, along with Lovey's mom and matron of honor, who were traveling to Chicago this weekend from Wisconsin. Katelyn was busy with a wedding Saturday, so they'd planned it for Sunday. Now that she had a sense of what Lovey was looking for she could narrow things down for her. "See you then."

 

She wanted to escape quickly, so she ducked out with a wave and sprinted in her heels down the hall to the elevator. She glanced back to see if anyone else was coming. Anyone else, being Tanner.

 

Jesus, Joseph, and Mary on a bicycle! What the hell was he doing there?

 

She tapped her pointy-toed shoe until a soft ping announced the arrival of the elevator. She stepped in and stabbed the button for the main floor. The door was just sliding closed when a large male hand appeared, halting the door. As it reopened, Tanner stepped in.  

 

She closed her eyes briefly, then stiffened her spine.

 

"Katelyn."

 

"Tanner. Such a surprise to see you again."

 

"Likewise."

 

The doors closed and they were alone. Tension vibrated around them as the elevator began a smooth descent.

 

"I didn't know you played for the Aces now," she said, trying to get her knees to stop wobbling.

 

"Yeah. I got traded a few years ago." He paused. "I didn't know you were living in Chicago too."

 

"I've been here a few years as well."