“Zachary,” Blair says, her voice dripping with amusement. “I heard Noah just called you. Thought I’d give you a little heads-up before you walk into the reunion completely blind.”
I groan, already bracing myself. “What’s Dad got planned this time?”
“Dad invited a special guest.” Her tone is sympathetic but tinged with laughter. “And by special guest, I mean your ex. Consider this your official warning.”
I close my eyes and rub a hand over my face. “Oh, great. Another attempt at matchmaking.”
Blair chuckles. “Dad’s relentless. Consider this my gift to you, little brother. Now you owe me one.”
“Thanks, Blair. I’ll set you up with one of my teammates as a thank-you.”
Blair scoffs, “Oh, please. The last thing I need is a hockey player in my life. I don’t need you finding me a man, Zach. I like my independence—and I’m not looking for the drama Noah, Cora, and Whitney have gone through. Tell you what—if you really want to thank me, you can take me out for dinner.”
I chuckle, grateful as always for my sister’s straight talk and independence. “It’s a deal,” he says.
With a laugh, she ends the call, and I tuck my phone back into my pocket, shaking my head.
Wyatt and Mark exchange glances as I rejoin them.
“What’s up?” Wyatt asks.
“Dad’s at it again,” I say, shrugging. “He invited my ex to the reunion, hoping I’ll ‘settle down’ with someone suitable.”
Wyatt laughs. “Sounds like you need a date, too.”
“What do you mean by that?”
“Chloe told me last night that Lainey’s on the hunt for Mr. Perfect after finding out Chloe’s cousin Drew is coming with a plus one.”
I raise an eyebrow. “What’s the deal with that?”
“Apparently, she had a big crush on Drew back in college. He turned her down and ended up dating someone she couldn’t stand.”
I let out a low whistle. “Someone not getting along with Lainey? Shocking.”
Mark shoots me a pointed look, his brows lifting in mild reproach. “Lainey’s a sweetheart. If there was an issue, it was probably the other person.”
Wyatt nods in agreement. “She might have control issues, but she’s caring and loyal. She helped Chloe out with Jasper so much over the years. I’ll always be grateful to her for that. That’s why she’s got my credit card. Whatever she wants for my wedding, she gets.”
Mark and I exchange a glance before I smirk. “Listen to Mr. Billionaire over here.”
Wyatt snorts. “Look who’s talking. You were born a billionaire, Zach. You don’t even have to play hockey.”
“Nope,” I reply, shaking my head. “That’s my family’s money. Hockey is my life. I earn my own wealth.”
Mark chuckles. “I’m proud of you guys. You’ve come a long way.”
Wyatt and I both turn to him, eyebrows raised. “You getting sentimental on us, Mark?”
Wyatt adds. “You’re getting old. Maybe it’s time you thought about settling down, too.”
“We’ll set you up with Janelle,” I say.
Mark glares at me. “Janelle is my friend—and she’s like a sister to me. Besides, she’s too young. And way too independent for someone like me.”
Wyatt raises an eyebrow. “She’s 35, Mark.”
Mark shakes his head. “No matchmaking, thank you very much. You don’t like it when your family does it to you, Zach, so don’t do it to me.”
