Page 82 of The Hockey Contract

"We need time to discuss this," I said firmly, effectively ending the conversation.

After they left, Sienna and I stood in loaded silence, the decision before us impossible to ignore yet difficult to address directly. Continue the charade indefinitely? End it and face the professional consequences? Or acknowledge the truth that neither of us had been brave enough to voice—that somewhere along the way, our performance had developed authentic foundations?

"We should get some rest," Sienna finally said, not meeting my eyes. "You have a game tomorrow, and I have gala preparations."

Chapter 28: Sienna

The hospital charity gala arrived on a perfect spring evening, the waterfront venue transformed into an elegant wonderland of twinkling lights and sophisticated decor. I'd been on-site since dawn, overseeing the installation of my dessert displays—an elaborate presentation featuring individual pastries, a signature cake with the hospital's logo rendered in handcrafted sugar work, and an interactive station where guests could personalize their selections.

Standing back to assess the finished display, I felt a surge of pride mingled with exhaustion. Weeks of preparation, countless test batches, sleepless nights of planning—all culminating in this moment. Grandma Rose would have loved this, I thought, adjusting a final decoration. She always said baking was about more than food; it was about creating moments of joy.

"It's breathtaking," a voice said behind me.

I turned to find Jax standing there in a perfectly tailored tuxedo, looking so handsome it made my heart stutter. Despite living together, we'd barely seen each other the past few days—his playoff schedule and my gala preparations creating a convenient buffer against addressing the looming decision about our future.

"You're early," I observed, suddenly self-conscious in my chef's coat and practical shoes. "The gala doesn't start for two hours."

"I wanted to see everything before the crowds." His eyes moved over the dessert display with genuine appreciation. "To see what you've created. It's impressive, Sienna. Truly."

"Thank you." I gestured to my appearance. "I need to change before guests arrive. My dress is in the staff room."

"I'll wait," he said simply.

Thirty minutes later, I emerged in the midnight blue gown I'd carefully selected weeks ago—elegant but comfortable enough to move through the event supervising my staff. Jax's expression when he saw me made the splurge worthwhile, his eyes darkening as they took in the way the fabric hugged my curves before flowing gracefully to the floor.

"You look beautiful," he said, his voice lower than usual.

"Not bad for a baker," I attempted to joke, though the charged atmosphere between us made lightness difficult.

Throughout the evening, Jax remained close, his hand often resting naturally at the small of my back as we navigated the crowded venue. He introduced me to influential guests with unmistakable pride in his voice, emphasizing my role as both his wife and a talented business owner.

"Sienna started baking with her grandmother when she was five," he told the hospital director, details I was surprised he remembered from our late-night conversations. "She's carrying on a family legacy while adding her own innovative techniques."

When Seattle Magazine's food editor requested an interview about the bakery's recent success, Jax encouraged me to share my grandmother's story, quietly stepping back to let me have the spotlight.

"Your husband is clearly your biggest fan," the editor observed after Jax excused himself to speak with teammates who'd arrived.

"He's been incredibly supportive," I replied, the truth of the statement existing independent of our arrangement's reality.

As the evening progressed, I caught glimpses of his interactions with others—the respect he commanded, the careful attention he gave to children attending the gala, the generous donation he made during the silent auction. This was Jax beyond the Ice Man persona, Jax as the man I'd come to know during our time together.

During a rare quiet moment, I spotted Leo and Chloe in a secluded corner, their heads bent close in conversation. As I watched, Leo reached out to tuck a strand of hair behind Chloe's ear—a tender gesture that made my heart twist with familiarity. Then, with a decisiveness that surprised me, he cupped her face and kissed her.

More surprising was Chloe's response—not pushing him away as I might have expected weeks ago, but leaning into the contact, her hand coming up to rest against his chest. When they broke apart, both looked slightly dazed before becoming aware of their public location and stepping quickly away from each other.

Their stolen moment highlighted the complicated feelings I'd been avoiding confronting in my own situation. How long could Jax and I continue this dance around what was developing between us?

The gala concluded successfully, with effusive compliments for my desserts and several substantial orders placed by influential guests. By the time we arrived home, well after midnight, I was physically exhausted but emotionally wired, too much unspoken tension vibrating between us.

"I'll make tea," Jax offered, loosening his bow tie as we entered the house.

I nodded gratefully, heading to my room to change out of my formal gown. On my dresser lay an envelope I didn't recognize, my name written in Jax's distinctive handwriting. Inside I found the bakery loan paperwork, officially marked "PAID IN FULL" in red stamp across the top.

Beneath it was a second document—a business development fund established in the name of Grandma Rose's Bakehouse, with a substantial sum allocated specifically for expansion and equipment upgrades. Far more than our agreement had stipulated.

My hands trembled as I read the details. This wasn't just fulfilling our arrangement; this was extending beyond it into genuine investment in my future—a future he wouldn't be part of once our three months concluded.

I found him in the living room, jacket discarded, sleeves rolled up as he prepared tea with the careful precision he brought to everything.

---