‘No, seriously. I saw how you were with her. She’s a lot more to you than just your publicist, isn’t she?’
‘Shelley, I’m serious. Don’t go there.’
‘OK, but I still think you should’ve told her we weren’t together.’She scoffed. ‘As if! Even though I’m kinda glad you didn’t, since it seems I get to play Cinderella for a night.’
‘Yeah, thanks for rolling with that. I really do need a plus one so if you’re sure …’
‘Are you kidding me? A free dress and a red carpet event? Do you evenknowhow long it’s been since I got glammed up?’
Now in the store, he had to smile as Shelley gasped, gently caressing the soft embroidered sleeve of one of the tux choices. ‘Woah, now I know how Julia Roberts felt …’
‘I hate this stuff …’ he grumbled, wondering where Hannah was. She was running late. These days, she seemed to always be running late. Too distracted by Kendrick probably.
‘Oh, stop whining,’ Shelley chided, without looking at him. ‘And stop with the foot-tapping too, it’s annoying. She isn’t that late.’ She glanced at her watch. ‘No need to send out a search party.’
But Ward still felt uneasy.
He was grateful to Shelley for agreeing to come along to the awards thing, albeit if it was just so she could get her hands on a fancy dress and a night hobnobbing on the Panthers’ dime. But now that she knew his secret … hadguessedit … he worried about keeping up the ruse that they were together in front of Hannah.
Assuming she gave a rat’s ass either way.
But the truth was that he was kind of grateful to his trainer for the moral support too. Every time he’d got trussed up for this stuff, he ended up looking like an idiot or making a fool of himself. At least with Shelley on his arm, someone else he trusted to keep him on the straight and narrow at the best of times, all should be cool.
‘Nowthisis nice …’ She held up a sleek velvet emerald tux.‘Very Harry Styles at the Grammys,’ she observed, tilting her head in admiration.
Ward snorted. ‘Isn’t that the guy who wears dresses and pearls too? Not the look I’m going for.’
‘Ofcourse, I forgot. Ward McKenzie iswaytoo macho to get in touch with his feminine side.’
‘It’s the NHL awards, Shelley. I don’t think me showing up dressed like a girl would go down well with the team.’ Although he’d consider it if it meant pissing off JP.
‘Let’s just wait to see what Hannah says when she—’
At that moment, the aforementioned bustled through to the personal shopping area, looking a bit frazzled. She seemed completely out of sorts and distracted too, as if she had a million things on her mind and this appointment was just one more stupid item on her to-do list.
‘Sorry, I know I’m late. Apologies.’ She smiled at Shelley and went to embrace her. ‘Hi! Great to see you.’ Then her eyes rested on Ward. ‘You OK? You don’t look happy.’
‘I’m fine,’ he answered, even as he felt the blood start to pump harder in his veins simply because she had entered the room – and at the way she now seemed to be appraising him, reading him. ‘Shelley was just looking at some of the stuff the Bergdorf’s person pulled.’ He shrugged. ‘Seems she’s a Gucci girl.’
‘Oh yes, Ilovethis, it’s perfect,’ Hannah agreed, walking forward to touch the luxurious fabric. ‘A bit easier than last time.’ She grinned at the other woman. ‘Clearly, you have great taste.’ She chuckled. ‘Or you’re much better at keeping him in line than I am, more like.’
In response, Ward seemed determined not to meet Shelley’s eye and ignored the knowing smile on her face.
‘It’s nice, I guess,’ he muttered. He got up from his chair and retreated unwillingly to the changing room.
Hannah looked at Shelley, a look of disbelief on her face. ‘Seriously, why couldn’t I have met you months ago?’ She winked. ‘My job would’ve been a whole lot easier.’
Chapter 57
HANNAH
The following week, Hannah regarded herself in the mirror and did a quick assessment. She had pulled her hair up into an elegant and understated chignon. Her make-up was evening-appropriate and subtle, with just a bit of sparkle in her lipstick and a tasteful smoky eye.
Aware that this time at the NHL awards, she was once again relegated to being very much behind the scenes (and happy about it) she’d opted for the Kate Spade, a cute dress in its own right, and low-key enough not to show up the red carpet showstoppers. Practically her uniform for black-tie events like this – perfectly suited for the occasion, but only to fade into the background.
The capacity in which she’d always been to Ward McKenzie, after all, a supporting role.
Her thoughts turned immediately to Shelley and how incredible she’d looked trying on the fuchsia Carolina Herrera gown and towering black patent Louboutin slingbacks she’d chosen at Bergdorf’s when they’d moved across the road to the women’s store. A show-stopper that hugged her incredible curves, made to be photographed. True leading lady material.
