Chapter 44
HANNAH
The moment Hannah saw the expression on Ward’s face, she knew she’d made the right choice.
Back at the apartment she’d tried on and discarded a floral Kate Spade midi dress she’d initially thought might work, and while the print was fun, it just wasn’t sophisticated enough for a night at the Plaza. Nor was anything else in her minuscule collection of more lowkey workwear. Especially when her plus one was going in Armani.
Then, recalling that there was an incredible closet full of couture right in the room next door, and that Courtney herself had encouraged her to go nuts …
Even though the dress felt like liquid silk on her skin, Hannah already knew she’d still worry for the entire night about damaging this glistening Vampire’s Wife number. She was still marvelling at the fact that the dress had actually fit considering the size-difference, a testament to the designer’s flatteringly fluid choice of material. It was a shame the brand was now no longer in operation, so wearing such a gown was a rarity in more ways than one.
Ward was just staring at her as she went towards him, watching her every step in her silver heeled sandals, and when she finallystopped, he looked her up and down with a glint in his eyes that was unmistakable.
What Hannah hadn’t expected though was how incredibly gratified his reaction made her feel. Given the circumstances, she thought he’d be entirely focused on the night ahead. To say nothing of the fact she was supposed to be here in a professional capacity. So the heat in his gaze raised all kinds of uncomfortable questions that she’d have to examine more closely at another time.
Right then, though, she kind of wanted to just stand there and relish watching him try to form a coherent sentence.
‘This OK?’ she asked, unable to keep from smiling. ‘I needed to look the part.’
He cleared his throat then and said, ‘You look … incredible.’ There was a raw huskiness to his voice that made her pulse quicken and she shook her head as if trying to banish any unwanted thoughts.
And Hannah was definitely having unwanted thoughts. Or were they?
Ward extended an elbow, his gaze never straying from hers. ‘Well, I guess we should head inside and hope we survive the ordeal ahead – although, I’ve gotta admit, having you here looking like that … it might not be the torture I was imagining.’
‘Was that actually a compliment?’ She laughed. ‘You caught me off-guard by not making some smartass remark for once.’
He duly escorted her into the hotel and they followed the throng of people past the Palm Court and onwards to the Plaza’s renowned Grand Ballroom. She’d always loved this hotel, a classic monument to the city’s gilded age, and she found herself torn between needing to keep things on a professional footing as Ward’s publicist, and wanting just to kick back and enjoy the occasion as his actual plus one in this iconic New York location.
To distract herself, she glanced around at the other guests. Everyone there seemed to be in their element, moving easily through the crowd, stopping and having casual conversations about subjects that mostly involved making money or losing money, or moving to New Zealand before the New World apocalypse took place.
The other hockey players all seemed easy and confident, though most had the same cocky arrogant demeanour that reminded her of her early days with Ward. Their dates all wore expensive couturetheyclearly didn’t need to borrow, though sadly their faces each looked to have been stretched by the same surgeon.
Some of them looked in her direction, then quickly away when she made eye contact as if easily dismissing her as not one of them, despite the dress. Evidently she wasn’t pulling it off as well as she’d hoped.
Ward seemed to notice her unease because he gently touched her hand. ‘What’s it feel like to be on the other side of the curtain this time? You push us poor suckers out there in the spotlight, while you’re lucky enough to get to fade into the background.’
‘You’re right,’ she whispered. ‘This is … scary.’
‘Believe it or not, you get used to it. I gotta admit, though, there have been times lately when I wonder if it wouldn’t be better just to walk away and try to have a normal life.’
His statement caught her by surprise. ‘What? You love hockey, Ward. You could never just walk away from it.’
‘The game I love, yes, – it’s all the bullshit that comes with it I can’t stand. I love the game because it’s one with clear and simple rules that make sense and I can understand. All this fake, ass-kissing stuff?’ He waved around the room. ‘This is what I don’t get. Like I told you before, it feels like another game but one where everyoneelse knows the rules except they’re not written down anywhere. Or if they are, they haven’t given me a copy.’
Hannah truly began to understand what he meant. There he was among so-called friends and still people were looking in their direction and having whispered conversations.
‘I suppose it is hard being the centre of attention all the time,’ she said. Hannah had always preferred being behind the scenes, helping others into the spotlight, then watching from a distance and vicariously sharing in their moments. When it turned in her direction though, her instinct was to run for the nearest exit.
Ward gave her a quizzical look. ‘Are you kidding? I’m not the centre of attention. Tonight, all those people are looking at you.’
She shook her head. ‘You’re wrong. No one even knows who I am.’
‘That’s just the point. Nobody knows who you are and they’re all wondering: “Who is that gorgeous creature with that bozo? Is she someone famous? I think I might have seen her at the Emmys last year.” You’re causing a stir, Hannah.’
Causing a stir...
That … wasn’t good. She flinched and quickly moved away from him.
