Page 72 of The Cupcake Cottage

Because she’d been too busy with her job and big fiancé to know what her friends were going to be wearing today.

Taking a deep breath, she straightened. She’d go home as soon as the ceremony was over, change her dress. Come back when Maverick arrived. Nobody would notice. She’d zip out super fast, not talk to a soul.

Karen came down the aisle, her eyes only on Myles. He was beaming in a way she’d never seen before. They were like two magnets drawn together. Meant to be.

No running around like madmen, barely snatching moments together.

Had she been reckless in refusing to plan the wedding without Maverick? It was already February, and they’d put off more meetings and appointments than they’d kept. She sighed. Things with Maverick, when she was feeling extra tired and neglected, reminded her of a dreaded, familiar holding pattern. She knew Maverick loved her, truly loved her, but it was still easy to feel as though she and their relationship weren’t a priority. Especially since he didn’t need her to fix his image any longerand was out there rebuilding his life on his own. So much time alone.

Myles and Karen kissed, the music starting up again. As soon as the married couple was through the church doors, Daisy-Mae was on her feet, pressing against the wall, eager to escape so she could save face.

** *

“You’re never around.”

“I know. I’m sorry. But it’s not forever.”

Daisy-Mae looked upset. She’d been acting like this from the moment she appeared at the reception in her red dress. Why had she bought him this greenish-blue tie to match her if she was wearing red?

He’d had to phone her when he arrived because nobody had seen her. What on earth was going on with his gregarious girlfriend?

“What do you want me to do, Daisy-Mae?” Maverick lowered his voice. “Say no to the deals?”

She didn’t reply as she took a long swallow of champagne.

Daisy-Mae had wanted his success and had helped him even when he hadn’t wanted it for himself. She was someone who didn’t mind bending her schedule and making the effort. She found a way to be there with him. But now she was acting like she resented it. It was eerie how much it reminded him of Janie.

He understood Daisy-Mae’s point of view, though. Things had suddenly exploded on them, and the past several weeks had been overwhelming and tiring, a drain on them both. But they were a team. A darn good one.

Still, her mood today felt a bit left field, and it concerned him that maybe he’d misread their situation. Maybe he’d been correct when he assumed he couldn’t do the all-out, big-timehockey lifeandkeep a woman happy. They both needed so much time and devotion.

“I thought you wanted me to say yes to these deals.”

“Maverick…” She looked at him as though he was being a ridiculous, obtuse man. And maybe he was, but this was his Daisy-Mae. She understood. So why was she unhappy? She knew this busy phase wouldn’t last forever and that he loved her.

Realizing they were drawing attention, he took her hand. “Let’s step outside.” She clutched her champagne to her chest as he led her away from the groups of people milling about in the old Sweetheart Creek community barn, out the doors and around to the side where guests wouldn’t be parking in the grass or smoking and interrupting them.

“Seriously, Daise,” he said. “What would you like me to do? I only have a bit more of this and few more years of hockey.”

“I can’ttakea few more years.”

“Of…me?”

“Hockey stuff! The extras. You’re never around.”

“This is setting us up for the rest of our lives.”

Her lower lip trembled. “I can’t take any more.”

“Specifically—what is it that you can’t take any more of?” He crossed his arms despite his efforts to stay calm, stay open, stay patient. Tonight was the one night he had to hang out all week. And next week, too. He’d been looking forward to dancing with her, laughing, holding her hand. Just her and their friends. All night. Making memories. Picking up ideas for their own wedding. Letting their hair down and just…being.

“Thisis like Myles all over again. Everything else comes first. I feel like I’m being held on to until you know that you no longer need me.”

He let out a harsh sound of disbelief. “Myles? You think I’m like Myles? The guy who, after a decade, still wouldn’t commit to you?” He felt the rage building. “I’mnothinglike him. Do youknow he didn’t even know if you were the one? How does a man not know that?” He jabbed a thumb toward his chest. “I havealwaysknown.”

Her lashes were wet, creating little star shapes around her baby blues. He stepped back, forcing himself to remain calm, aware he was likely making things worse.

“Then why don’t you ever make me a priority? Now that your old life is back, you never have time for me or our commitments. You weren’t even here for the ceremony. And I’m your date!”

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