I took the opportunity to ask what I wondered earlier. “And what does this have to do with the Terrors?” I nodded to the logo on Maddie’s laptop. “I know you partner with the youth league for public relations, but…?”
The shorter woman’s lips twitched, and I read victory in the way she lifted her chin. I suppose I’d walked into her trap.
“I have a suggestion on an event to raise money for the youth league.”
I should have known Daddy would understand, judging from the way his gaze sharpened. “Acharitableevent?”
Ah, so that was why I was here.
“You’ve heard of the popular TV shows that pair up celebrities in a dancing contest, right?” Maddie launched into her spiel as my father—listening curiously—moved around his desk to slide back into his leather chair. “The show follows the pair as they rehearse, then the big competition. I’m proposing something similar, not a contest, but a performance. Before the preseason begins. An event here at the ice complex, rather than the arena, to show off the skills these kids are learning.”
I’d begun to jot notes as the excitement took hold. “An exhibition game, perhaps, of the best of the youth players?” I mused as I wrote as quickly as possible. “Not a full game, perhaps only one period. And ice dancing from the most talented of our skaters?” I glanced up atMaddie, ideas swirling in my mind. “We could draw in backers from as far away as Denver and Albuquerque, if we presented it well enough. Rented some more comfortable seating?—”
“There’s nothing wrong with the bleachers,” my father interrupted, and I sent him an acknowledging nod.
“For parents and fans of youth hockey, they’re fine. But if you want to attract tuxedos and gowns, we need to call this agala, and bring in fancy catering and opportunities for our guests to feel good about being seen hereanddoing good.” I softened my correction with the polite smile I’d perfected. “It’s my job to make Fairbanks Enterprises—and you—look good, so I understand what these people need.”
Something crossed my father’s face, but he looked away before I could place it. I turned to Maddie.
“We’ll figure out the cost, then double it for the ticket price, and donate that to the league. Fairbanks will look wonderful because of our support of the children.”
“And the Terrors will look great because we’re going to market the hell out of them at the gala,” she agreed with a nod.
My father cleared his throat. “So this is just a performance? A gala with ice entertainment? You think that will be enough to draw in backers from the cities?”
“They’ll be begging for the opportunity to buy tickets when they hear about the main attraction.” Maddie’s grin turned wolfish as she leaned in, as if inviting both of us into her confidence. “A paired skating performancefrom two of our most famous, who will have to work together to impress the crowd.”
Daddy scoffed. “From what I know of those celebrity dancing shows, half the attraction is watching people fail.”
“True.” Maddie shrugged. “But we’re not going to be televising the rehearsals. The pair will have a few weeks to choreograph, rehearse, and get fitted for costumes. We start the performance with some exhibitions like Lila suggested…” Her grin grew in anticipation. “But the main event will be our paired celebrities.”
“Figure skating?” My father glanced at me. “You’re going to have to do some kind of audition if you’re going to only invite two celebrities. Why not invite a bunch and see who accepts? It’s been our experience that most brands are interested in improving PR through charity work.”
I didn’t look up from my notes, knowing he was talking about me. After all, it was my job to make Fairbanks Enterprises look good, both through our charity work and by…well, by always being perfect. Prim. Proper. Not a hair out of place, not a misspoken word.
Daddy had invested a lot of money—schooling, tutoring, classes—in me to ensure it.
Maddie’s fingers were flying over her keyboard. “We’re not going to hold auditions. We’re going to invite two celebrities everyone already recognizes, two people who are well-loved, and who will draw attention just by being paired up.”
“Why?” Daddy asked blandly. “What’s so special about them?”
Even I glanced up in time to see Maddie’s mad-scientist grin. “Because they’re both adored, but complete opposites. A figure skater and a hockey player. Controlled grace and primal chaos.”
I felt the cap of my rollerball pen pressing against my palm and realized I’d squeezed my fingers into a fist around it as my heartbeat had sped up.
Primal chaos. Hockey player.
Perhaps my father was becoming suspicious too, because his eyes narrowed. “A graceful figure skating celebrity? Who, Madison?”
With a triumphant flourish, Maddie clicked a button and a familiar photo popped up on her screen. Me, mid-layback spin, in the middle of the finals for the US Women’s Competition, the year I’d narrowly beat out America’s sweetheart, Kristen Cole. I was wearing that pale pink chiffon costume I still kept in my closet just so I could admire it occasionally.
I looked beautiful in it.
I’dfeltbeautiful in it.
Oh, the years had curved my hips and boobs more, now that I was focused on doing good in the world, rather than my exercise regimen, so I couldn’t fit into it any longer…but it was still my favorite costume.
Daddy blew out a breath. “You wantLilato skate for the charity exhibition gala?”
