Page 43 of Center Ice

“Sure, so what’s step one?”

“You don’t need to keep helping me. I can get the rest done on my own. You’ve done more than enough.”

He shook his head. “I’d really like to help if there’s anything I can do.”

He was too good. “I’m supposed to meet with the reporters in an hour, so I’ve got to shower and get ready. There isn’t anything else to do until the vendors start making their drop-offs. Go enjoy the beach or pool, and you can meet me at the patio where the dinner was held at three.”

“Got it.” He bent forward and kissed me on the temple. “I’ll see you later.”

He walked off in the direction of his friends on the beach, and I turned to head to my room.

With determination, I got dressed and made sure I looked both professional and alluring in a fitted sapphire-blue dress, just in case I was in any of the pictures today. I had to make a great impression on these reports in case they included a mention of me in the articles.

I met with them in the lobby and gave the five approved reporters and their photographers a tour of the resort before showing them where the ceremony and celebration would take place. Since they were going to be allowed for the full event, I let them scope out shots and angles. One by one, I introduced myself and made sure they knew to come to me for any questions. Maggie still hadn’t arrived, so I played hostess while also checking my phone for email updates from the staff.

“You have been approved to ask the guests questions, but please be respectful. Also, the groom requested that you limit the hockey questions. This is a wedding, not a press conference,” I warned and got some laughter in response.

They seemed like nice enough people, not the leeches that hid in bushes and tried to catch celebrities at their worst.

An hour later, the setup staff began trickling in, setting up the arbor and chairs on the sand. Another team began on the patio, creating the U-shape with long banquet tables that Colby had requested.

I made a few corrections but otherwise stayed out of the way. The rough outline of a design I’d come up with on the phone with Chloe and Sydney weeks ago was finally coming to life. This was my favorite part. When the pieces came together for the first time, and everything I’d visualized became real. Within the next few hours, we would transform this area into a dream.

15

Jake

I dragged Lance and Mikey with me early to where the wedding was to take place, just in case Dani needed help with anything.

When we got to the patio, Lance whistled. “Not too bad, Malkin.”

I rolled my eyes. “He had nothing to do with this.”

“Yeah, this has the Pride written all over it,” Mikey agreed.

And Dani. I looked for her among the few resort employees that were adding the finishing touches. I finally spotted her on the beach in a bright blue dress that clung to her curves. I sucked in a breath and touched my collar. She looked gorgeous.

“Mikey Peterson! Justin Heiz, mind if I ask you a few questions?” A reporter I vaguely recognized from ESPN approached us. “I’d like to talk to all of you, if that’s alright.”

Mikey nodded. “Sure.”

“How do you guys feel about losing Noah Malkin?” Justin asked.

“He’s a great player so we’re going to miss him, but more importantly, he’s a good friend so we’re grateful to have this wedding to celebrate him and Colby before they leave.” Mikey’s answer was perfect. He brought it back to the reason we were here.

“The real all-star here is Dani Glisten,” Lance added. “She’s their wedding planner and pulled this off and surprised us with Hartman and Kendall’s wedding two days ago.” I nearly kissed him.

Chloe and Sydney had already told everyone what happened to Dani before I got back to the beach, and they got them to agree to hype her up whenever possible. If there was one thing all the guys on the team enjoyed, it was a competition. So she said whoever got the most quotes with Dani mentioned would win a prize.

“Yeah, she’s been amazing to work with. She’s going to be planning a few of the other guys’ weddings, so she’ll definitely be around more,” Mikey added while eyeing Lance.

Justin looked between us, keeping a professional smile in place. “She sounds talented.”

“And she’s right here,” I said and waved her over as she walked by. She looked at me nervously and smoothed her dress down as she came to my side. “Dani, this is Justin Heiz from ESPN. We were just telling him what a great job you’ve done with Hartman’s and Malkin’s weddings.”

She beamed up at him, and Justin’s eyes widened before his lips twisted into a grin. “What a pleasure to meet you, Dani. These guys have nothing but good things to say.”

Mikey put his arm around her too, making her clearly appear as one of us.