Page 77 of Lucky Puck

“I shouldn’t have stayed on the ice,” Brody says. “It was a dick move. My only excuse was my over-excitement at being cleared to play and wanting to make the most of it.” He searches the room, looking over the crowd until he spots me, and then his grin returns in full force.

“And maybe a little to show off for my bride.” The dimple he shows me nearly melts my heart and soul—not to mention my panties—and I literally shake myself as a reminder it’s not real. So what if he told me he would do it for orgasms? He was flirting. He’s being his usual wiseass self and playing to the reporter’s bias. But any fool can see he’s joking around, right?

He goes on to answer more questions until the coach directs the attention to Jason Hall.

Don’t be foolish, Bianca.

“Oh, what a sweet thing to say,” Emery says, smiling at me.

“I’ve never seen him behave this way before. He’s fallen hard for you, girl,” Delaney says.

“He should,” Emery says. “She’s lovely.”

Cherry nods. “Speaking of lovely, how about if you join us and participate in the Whaler’s charity fashion show?”

I open my mouth to politely tell her no, but she doesn’t wait for an answer before rushing ahead.

“I know it’s last minute, but you’d be perfect, and it’s such fun. None of us are models, so we’re all winging it, and the more the merrier, I always say.”

“Geez, take a breath, Cher,” Delaney says, rolling her eyes. “Though it is a good idea.” She looks me over. “You should definitely join us.”

When I turn to Emery for escape and see her nodding enthusiastically, I know there’s no way to gracefully bow out. I’d already planned to attend, so I can’t pretend I have something else to do.

“How can I say no? What’s a little humiliation for a good cause, right?” They all laugh.

“You’ll be fine,” Marie says.

Cherry gives me a hug of encouragement, whispering, “I know how you feel. I dread this one, but we end up having fun and making a pile of money for the foundation.”

“What charities does the foundation support?” I ask.

“Children’s hospital, a local veterans homeless shelter, and brain injury research are the main ones,” she says.

I cringe at the mention of brain injuries. The cause is too real after worrying about Brody’s concussion. I’m still worried, though he seemed okay playing, and he managed to escape the game without any more bumps to his head.

“Mind if we join your party?” Kara says, interrupting my bubble of worry. She heads straight for Marie and Henry, giving them each big hugs like they’re related.

Nora follows behind and introduces herself. “I’m Nora Shade, longtime family friend of Kara and Brody.”

Marie’s eyes flare, but to her credit, she smiles and nods, poised as ever like a professional socialite. I could take lessons from that woman.

Kara greets the rest of our small circle, and Nora follows her friend’s lead like she belongs. Until they get to me.

“Did you enjoy watching the game from the luxury box?” Kara says, and I detect the coolness in her polite question.

My only response is a nod. I’m too worried about saying the wrong thing since I don’t know her very well, and I slapped her best friend across the face. I feel my face heat up under her gaze as she waits for me to say more.

But Nora fills the dead air before anyone else has a chance. “It’s nothing like sitting close to the ice. We had the best seats. I’m surprised you didn’t sit with us.”

My eyes widen. It’s as if she’s challenging me to admit I didn’t feel comfortable sitting with her. Or maybe she wants an apology.

Maybe I should apologize to her…. No. She owes me the apology first, doesn’t she? At least in theory, since she wasn’t really kissing and flirting with my husband—she was kissing and flirting with my pretend husband.

Cherry breaks the tension, looping her arm through mine. “I begged Sabien to have Bianca sit with us in the box. I’ve been dying for a chance to get to know her better.”

Kara nods and loops her arm through Nora’s, pulling her aside. She says to Marie, “I’m so sorry I won’t make it to the Whalers charity fashion show this year. It was so fun last year.”

“Fashion show?” Nora says. “What’s that all about?”