“Mine either, Sunshine.”
“Right. We’re on the same page then. So let’s work together on this. You charm people like you always do, I’ll talk business with the donors, then we can get the hell out of here.”
I cut my eyes at her, the knot in my gut loosening. “You think I’m charming?”
“Sure. With the right crowd, you’re amazing.”
Ouch.
“And who, exactly, is that crowd?”
“You know — fans, families, children. And I’m sure the puck bunnies love you.”
“They do.”
“How’d I guess?” She arches a dark brow, and I wonder why she hates me so much.
“Next!” The photographer ushers us over and we instinctively truce, striking the pose expected of us.
I loop my arm around Tori, hand hovering on her lower back. The scent of roses drifts from her hair and tickles my nostrils. Her body’s warm against mine, all curves and edges, and the room before me blurs.
“Nice. Closer. Half an inch.” The photographer motions his hands together and Tori leans into me, her body relaxing slightly.
Flash. Flash. Flash.
“Beautiful.”
He lowers his camera and the moment’s over. Tori steps away and I drop my hand, along with my smile.
“Am I allowed to have a drink? Or is that against the rules?”
“Yes, you can have a drink.” Her eyes cut to the bar. “And I’d love one too.”
Together, we make our way through the crowd toward the bar with the shortest line. The noise level rises as more people arrive, a band playing — what else — yacht rock in the corner. Tori’s eyes dart around the room, like she’s scoping for a target.
“You okay?”
“Yeah. Why?”
“Besides the fact you’re clocking every person who walks through the door? Or in general?”
“Haha. Very funny.”
She rubs her left hand again, clearly agitated. That’s the third time she’s done that tonight.
The couple in front of us grabs their drinks and steps aside.
“What are you having?” I ask, glancing back at her.
No response.
Her face is pale, her pulse a quick flutter in her neck. Two bright spots stain her cheeks and her breathing’s shallow.
This is more than nerves before a big game.
“Tori? You okay? What do you want?”
“Tequila. On the rocks. Make it a double.”
