Page 21 of Center Ice

“Good or bad at it?” I laughed.

“Let’s say good.” She relaxed her body. “The main thing I need to do is make more of a name for myself outside of the resort world. Couples have come to this resort to work with me specifically, but I’d like to move back to the US and travel to my clients. I think more high-profile weddings will help me with that.”

“Couples like Noah and Colby? Do they help?”

She nodded. “Yeah. Chloe gave me the approved press list, and there are some pretty big stations coming to cover the wedding. That will be a huge boost for me.”

An idea sparked, but I didn’t want to tell her until I looked into it more.

“That’s very cool. If there’s anything we can do to help just let me know. We can put you on our social media or whatever would help. The women you’re working with, they’re pretty amazing at things like that. Once you give them a mission or goal, they make it happen.”

“Thank you. I really appreciate the offer.”

But she wasn’t going to take me up on it. Maybe that was something I could help her with too.

“What about you? What’s your big dream?” she asked.

“Well, I play in the NHL and have two championship rings, so I guess getting another one is the next goal.”

She bit her lip. “Right, I forgot who I was talking to for a second.”

“What do you mean?”

“You’re not some normal guy. You’re a professional athlete. You’re on a different level.” She ducked her head.

“You’d be surprised by how boring and normal I am. My job isn’t who I am as a person.”

She didn’t seem to believe me but didn’t argue.

“I guess that’s what makes us different,” she said in a cool tone.”

“What do you mean?” I asked.

“My job is a huge part of who I am and what I’m passionate about. I love weddings. They’re a celebration of love and commitment,” she hesitated, “but you don’t believe in that.”

I dropped my shoulders. “It’s not like I don’t support them. I traveled all the way here for one.”

She pursed her lips and studied me. “But in the back of your mind, what are you thinking?”

I didn’t want to lie to her. She’d probably see right through it. “Half of all marriages end in divorce.”

She narrowed her eyes. “I hate that statistic. It’s not even correct.”

“Oh?”

“It’s closer to forty percent,” she said under her breath.

“My parents divorced, and I saw how it destroyed my mom. He never reached out after that. I don’t want to go through the same thing.” Finally admitting the reason behind my skepticism was a relief. I just hoped it was enough for her to understand where I was coming from.

“So now you don’t believe in love?”

I shrugged.

“What about all your friends? There are plenty of happily married couples you’re with. Are they all lying?”

To themselves. “They believe in love. I don’t criticize others for not agreeing with me.”

Her head snapped back. “But I do?”