Kim glanced at her phone and squinted. “I didn’t change your ticket.”
“No, Vegas did.” He took a slow sip of coffee, eyes drifting over the lounge. “I’m going to her family’s open house on Christmas.”
She sighed, annoyed with him. “Dude, that’s the hundredth time you’ve told me.”
“Hundred and first,” he added. “Are you happy to be going home?”
“I kind of like being on the road.” She shrugged. “At least I’m not working on New Year’s.”
“What happened with the Westgrays?”
“They held out for more money so the promoter rescinded their offer.” Kim shook her head. “Stupid fuckers, those kids.”
Cary reached inside his jacket and pulled out a card. “Here. Thanks for everything.”
Kim opened the envelope. “Cary! The Scandinave Spa in Whistler?”
“You deserve it,” he said. “I know this tour’s been hectic. Stay at the Fairmont. I’ve got an account there. Please use it. I’m dead serious.”
“Thank you!” She gave him a quick hug. “You deserve my bestie.”
CHAPTER 17
TYLER
The same day in Winnipeg, Tyler was making plans with Marnie and Heather, and by default, their husbands, to meet at the King’s Head Pub. They always made time to catch up when they were home for the holidays. But this year it would be different since Marnie and Heather were both five months pregnant. They’d scheduled their due dates down to the last minute.
As usual Tyler was the first to arrive. She scanned the room, recognizing a few guys from her high school’s football team—once athletic, now anything but.
“Sorry we’re late,” Marnie said, stomping the snow from her boots. “I’m not used to driving in this weather.”
“No worries. It’s a blizzard out there.” Tyler hugged her friend, the baby bump protruding from her jacket. It was the size of a honeydew melon and hard to the touch.
Heather popped off her knitted hat by its pom-pom, dark curls bouncing at her shoulders. “It’s great to see you!”
“Likewise.” Tyler hugged her other friend. “I can’t believe it’s been a year!”
“It feels like a millennium.” Marnie cradled her bump. “I can’t wait to get this baby out.”
“We had to bring Hank and Mark with us. They need constant supervision.” Heather turned to the clean-cut men beside them.
“Hi,” Tyler said. “How are you guys?”
It was easy to remember that the Ms and Hs were spouses, and she called them the “husbands” collectively.
“I’m putting on sympathy pounds,” Mark said, rubbing his belly over his coat.
“Same,” Hank agreed.
After the hostess showed them to their table, everyone hung their coats on the rack and positioned their chairs to face the TV. Hockey Night in Canada was a big deal to most people in the country, including them. The Winnipeg Jets were playing the Toronto Maple Leafs, which meant war—blood, if necessary.
Tyler winked at Marnie and Heather for wearing their Jets jerseys, but her smile vanished when she realized the husbands had worn theirs, too. They were from Toronto, home of the Bay Street Bullies—better known as the Leafs—and she hated them almost as much as Vancouver’s team. But make no mistake, if those two ever met in the finals, she’d grit her teeth and cheer, “Go Leafs Go!” in a heartbeat.
“Tell me everything,” Tyler said, holding Marnie’s hand. “The last time we spoke, you were finding out the sex.”
Marnie shook her head and tightened her lips. “We found out this week.”
“She’s having a boy, and I’m having a girl,” Heather interjected, finishing Marnie’s sentence, but there wasn’t a smile to be found between them.
