Page 92 of Slap Shot

Me

Hi. Hudson invited me to the Stars gala tonight, and I don’t know what to wear.

Piper

He did? Ah! So exciting! It’s fancy, but so fun.

Lexi

Full-length dress for sure, but nothing over the top.

Me

Lovely. My whole closet is full of full-length dresses, so this will be easy.

Maven

You can wear cocktail style dresses too. I did that last year and dressed it up with heels and jewelry. Wish I was joining you all tonight, but my youngest is sick. Take lots of pictures!! I have to meet you soon, Madeline!

Me

I don’t know if I own any item of clothing nice enough for this event. I live in leggings and sweaters. The occasional pair of jeans. Not formal attire.

And we do have to meet soon!

Piper

I’ll be finished with work in an hour. We can make a quick trip to the store if you want?

Me

Let me see what I can find, and I’ll get back to you.

Lexi

You’re going to look great in anything.

Emmy

She’s right. Let us know if you need any help.

Four hoursand fifty-eight minutes later, I check my reflection in the mirror, happy with how I look.

“Five-minute warning,” Hudson says from down the hall, and I grab my clutch.

“Coming!” I answer, making sure I have my phone and lipstick before I slip out of my room.

When I round the corner into the living room, my tongue almost falls out of my mouth.

Hudson is wearing a tuxedo that hugs every curve of his body. His blond hair is styled neater than it is when he’s around the house, and his beard looks freshly trimmed. There’s a silver watch clasped around his left wrist, and his white bowtie is decorated with dozens of Christmas trees.

I carefully touch my lips to make sure I’m not drooling.

I’ve seen him in the suits he wears to and from the arena on game day, but this is different. He looks like pure man. Devastatingly handsome with a hint of softness in his smile.

“Hi,” I blurt, and he looks up from his phone.

Hudson’s eyes rake down my body and take in the snowflake necklace sitting against the top of my chest. They move lower to the green fabric of my dress hugging my hips and thighs. He works his way down my legs, to my red-painted toes, before moving back up.

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