I’m a half-second late looking away from her boobs, so she’s glaring at me by the time my gaze makes it to her face.
I clear my throat. “You look really pretty, Kendall.”
“Thanks.” Her tone has an edge to it. I don’t know why she never seems to like it when I compliment how she looks.
She turns and smiles at Micah. Dad waves at a group of our relatives that just walked in the door.
“I should go and say hello to your Aunt Hilda and Uncle Ronnie,” he says to Aidan and me.
He turns to Kendall. “Amazing party you’ve thrown here, Kendall. Just gorgeous.”
“Thanks, Mr. Scott,” she says before he walks off.
“Was your aunt able to make it tonight?” Micah asks Kendall.
Kendall offers a small smile as she shakes her head. Her black hair, which is styled in long, soft waves, sways with the movement. I spot a flash of sadness in her eyes.
“She wasn’t feeling up to it,” she says. “But she wanted me to tell you both congratulations and that she’ll definitely make it to the wedding.”
“We’re so excited for her to come,” Micah says.
“Hopefully you like the way the engagement party turned out?” Kendall asks, switching gears.
Micah’s gaze turns dreamy as she looks around. “Like isn’t even close to the right word. Iloveit.”
Kendall beams. My breath catches in my throat. It’s not often that I get to see her smile like that.
There’s a brightness in her rich brown eyes that radiates joy. She’s lit up from within, her lush mouth curved in the most beautiful smile. She is stunning when she smiles like that.
She looks at Aidan. “I’m guessing you like it too?”
“No question.” He hugs Kendall, then he juts his chin at me. “You two should join forces as party planners. You make a hell of a team. I mean, look at this place.”
“It’s like the Pinterest board of my dreams,” Micah says. “I can’t thank you two enough.” She looks between Kendall and me.
Kendall’s smile fades. Her gaze turns sharp as she looks at me.
I open my mouth to finally explain that this was all Kendall, but Micah’s twin sister, Jordan, walks up to us and says hi before telling her that their mom wants to take a quick family photo. Ever since Micah and Aidan started dating, I’ve gotten to know Jordan pretty well. She’s a lawyer with a biting sense of humor.
Jordan turns to Kendall and me. “My mom was wondering if it would be okay to take one of the flower vases home at the end of the night?”
“Of course, she can help herself,” Kendall says.
Jordan smiles and tells her thanks. She pats my shoulder. “I know the flower arrangements must have been your idea, big guy.”
I chuckle, despite feeling the dagger stare of Kendall on me. “It was all Kendall, actually.”
“Duh. Of course it was,” Jordan says.
With that, everyone walks off to take the family photos, leaving Kendall and me standing together.
“I’m sorry. I tried to tell them earlier that I didn’t have anything to do with this party, but I kept getting interrupted.”
Kendall rolls her eyes. “Sure you did.” She swipes a drink from the tray of a passing waiter. “You probably got distracted by some fans asking to take a selfie with you again.”
An uneasy feeling rips through me. I know it was rude of me to take a photo with those ladies the other night when Kendall and I were arguing, but I hate telling fans no when they ask for something like an autograph or photo. Hockey’s all I have, and I don’t want to piss off the people who are the reason I can do this for a living.
I think about explaining that to Kendall, but I stop myself. She’d probably think I’m just making more excuses.
