Page 34 of One Pucking Life

CHAPTER

FOURTEEN

DELANEY

Istare at myself in the mirror and question everything.

I’ve changed four times. I even straightened and then curled my hair, allowing my hair to fall in “effortless” waves. It’s a lot of prep work for a work function because this isn’t a date—I know that. Still, something about tonight feels… different.

Every day, Max and I become more comfortable with one another. I’ve never had this in a nanny position before. The three of us have become a sort of family, and it feels right.

Max asked me to come with him to the team’s charity gala—something formal, with players and their families, press, and other donors. He asked if I’d come “as support,” and in his words, “to help with Caroline.” But let’s be real, he could’ve asked anyone from his contact list. Not to mention, every player’s wife or girlfriend is going to fawn over Caroline. He’ll have tons of support without me.

But he asked me.

To be fair, I know he trusts me with Caroline more than anyone. Tonight is the first time he’s bringing her to an event this big, with lights, cameras, and a big chunk of the hockeyworld watching. If he wants everything to go perfectly, I’m the logical choice—my entire job is to make his life easier where his daughter is concerned.

So yes—clearly, I’m overthinking. My brain hosts a constant duel where Max is involved. Part of me is solid in my role, and the other part—small but stubborn—longs for something I have no right to want. It’s ridiculous, really. Sharing the same air with MaxwellPark every day has scrambled my compass.

I smooth the skirt of my emerald-green wrap dress and remind myself yet again that this is just another night on the clock. Nothing more.

A soft knock on the open doorway pulls me around. Max stands there in a black tux with Caroline tucked against his chest in the poofiest pink dress—complete with ruffled-bottom tights. She’s beyond adorable, and he’s… well, beautifully handsome.

“You ready?” he asks.

Pressing my lips into a steady smile, I nod. “Yeah. Ready.”

The ride to the venue is magical. Light snow falls, coating the already white ground. Trees and houses are lit up with lights. Christmas is just around the corner, reminding me that I should talk to Max about what he wants to do for Caroline’s first Christmas. Yes, she’s young and won’t remember this particular holiday, but still, it’s good to establish traditions early.

“You’re quiet,” he says.

“Just enjoying the view. It’s so pretty tonight.”

“It is,” he agrees.

“We should talk about holiday plans for Caroline,” I offer.

“Absolutely. Make sure to put it on one of your to-do sticky notes, and we’ll talk about it tomorrow,” he says as we pull into a circular drive of a gorgeous hotel.

A valet wearing a long black dress coat steps out to greet us. He and Max exchange some words as I unbuckle Caroline. Maxwalks around the Bronco and gives me a smile, taking Caroline from me. “Let’s do this.”

The venue is stunning. A swanky downtown hotel ballroom dripping in soft gold light and linen-covered tables. There’s a bar in the corner, a string quartet in the other, and the sound of polite conversation and clinking champagne flutes fills the air.

Max hasn’t let go of Caroline since we walked in. She’s in his arms, her tiny head resting against his chest, completely unbothered by the noise and bustle around us. Max, on any given day, is a gorgeous man, but Max in a tux takes my breath away.

He’s talking to a couple of older men in suits—team owners or sponsors, I think—while I stand slightly behind him, smiling, trying to look like I belong. I’m introduced, and when one of the men asks who I am, Max replies casually, “This is Delaney, Caroline’s nanny.”

It’s harmless. True. Accurate. Iamthe nanny. Yet the word hits harder than I expect. It shouldn’t sting, but it does.

“Laney!” A familiar voice pulls me from my little spiral, and I turn, grateful for the interruption.

“Iris.” I exhale her name in relief.

She pulls me into a hug. “You look stunning.” She takes my hand and spins me around. “I’ve always loved you in green.”

Iris looks like a brunette Cinderella in a baby-blue ball gown.

“You look amazing.”

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