Haddy pulled me in to approve the final proof of the “Hockey Hunks and Hounds” calendar, and I defiantly ignored the burn in my stomach at the sight of Owen shirtlesson one knee with Ladybird. Even if it did look like he was staring directly at me through the pages.
“Have you seen the wedding photos?” Haddy stands in front of my armoire mirror applying lip gloss while I tie my hair up in a scrunchy so theMurphyon my back is visible.
“You got them already?”
“Clint sent me an email with the link. I’ll forward it to you. It has the best picture of you and Owen walking down the aisle.”
My eyes slide to hers in the mirror, and I don’t miss the sly glint there. It verifies what I already suspected.
“You did that on purpose, didn’t you?” I put my hand on my hip and turn to face her.
“What?” She blinks wide blue eyes, but I’m not fooled.
“You switched me from Mav to Owen so I’d have to walk down the aisle with him.”
“I didn’t have a choice! Austin bailed at the last minute, which was very uncool of him. I’m tempted to send his gift back. But I really want that espresso machine…”
“Sage would’ve made more sense as an usher. He’s younger.”
“But Mav isn’thope walking beside you when you’re afraid.” She gives me a little wink, referencing my tarot card.
I tug her ponytail. “That was uncool, Hads. Owen is not interested in starting a romance with me. He’s made it very clear.”
“To who?” Her brow furrows. “From where we’re all standing, there’s nothing but burning chemistry between you two. His daughter adores you, his dog loves yours, his sister practically predicted you’d be together.”
She grabs Lucy’s carrier, and we head down the stairs.
“That tarot reading was so vague it could’ve meant anything. How do you know it wasn’t about Spanky winningBest in Show? Doing my job without any major awards takes a lot of courage.”
“Oh, pooh.” She waves her hand at me when we reach the bottom. “Every single person in LA dog-world knows you’re the leading expert on all things dog.”
“That sentence doesn’t even make sense.” I shake my head, shoving my phone into my pocket. “That’s not how we talk about the circuit.”
“Well, it’s the truth. You’re constantly getting called to train dogs, certify breeds, walk dogs, judge dog shows. Nobody cares that Spanky hasn’t won Best in Show.”
“Like the movie?” Heather skips in from the kitchen to join us. “I love that movie! It’s so funny?”
“What movie?” Maddie bounces on her toes beside her aunt.
They’re both dressed in matching black leggings, turtlenecks, and Number 13 Champions jerseys. Heather’s hasStoneon the back, but Maddie’s hasDaddyas well. Maddie’s hair is also in pigtails with confetti hair ties of purple, white, and black, the Champions’ official colors.
“I want to watch the doggy movie!” She takes my hand.
“Oh… well…” My nose wrinkles, and I glance at Heather.
She’s very no-nonsense. “It’s a movie for grown-ups, Mads. We’ll find another dog movie for you to watch.”
“I likeIsle of Dogs.” I bend down to her level. “Have you seen that one?”
Maddie shakes her head, causing her ponytails to fly around her face, and I give her a little squeeze before straightening. “We’ll watch that one together.”
Her hand is still in mine as we head out to pile into Gavin’s Rover. Lucy’s carrier is snapped into her carseat base, and we’re off.
The guys are on the ice when we arrive, stretching,warming up, and skating around the rink. Music blasts from the Jumbotron, and they toss Champions-logo pucks to the fans crowding around the plexiglass dividers.
My eyes immediately go to Owen gliding up to Maverick. They speak briefly before circling apart, and he turns, looking directly to where we’re standing at our seats near center ice.
“Daddy!” Maddie jumps up and down waving Zander the zebra, and that handsome smile curls his lips… and my toes. “Daddy, Daddy!”
