Page 53 of Rookie's Redemption
"Oh, honey," Lucy breathes, looking at me like I've just announced my intention to attend the event in a potato sack. "No. Just... no."
Marcus returns with our drinks—sparkling champagne cocktails garnished with actual lavender sprigs that are apparently edible. He sets them down andwow.The first sip is pure magic, bubbles dancing on my tongue while honey and floral notes create a symphony of flavor that makes me understand why people pay ridiculous amounts for fancy drinks like this.
"Okay," I admit after a second sip that goes straight to my head. "This is really good."
"Everything here is really good," Sophia says, pulling out her phone. "Which is why we're going to fuel up on gorgeous food and perfect cocktails, then we're going shopping."
My mind drifts to the shelter. It's one o'clock. The puppies are due for their medication. Bandit's probably plotting his next escape with Zoe in charge, then there's that fucking goat… and there's a mountain of paperwork piling up.
I've got so much work waiting. Shopping feels like an impossible luxury right now.
"I don't need to go shopping. I told you, I have a dress."
"You haveadress," Lucy emphasizes. "But tonight calls forthedress. The dress that makes Ryder forget his own name. The dress that makes every woman in that arena wish she were you and every man wish he were Ryder."
"That's... a lot of pressure for one piece of fabric."
"Good fabric can handle pressure," Sophia says simply. "Trust us."
Marcus reappears with a tray of appetizers. And they look like they were designed by artists rather than chefs.
Seared scallops arranged like tiny sculptures, flatbread topped with ingredients I can't pronounce but smell like heaven, and something involving salmon that makes my mouth water just looking at it.
"Compliments of the chef," he says with another one of those deadly smiles. "He insisted that Iron Ridge's newest celebrity deserves the full treatment."
I'm starting to think the champagne was a mistake, because the wholecelebritything is becoming less funny and more terrifying with every mention.
"Marcus," Natalie says sweetly, leaning forward in a way that shows off her impressive… well, cleavage. "Any chance you could recommend a good place to find a show-stopping dress? Last minute shopping emergency."
"Actually," Marcus glances around like he's about to share state secrets. "My sister ownsBella's Boutiqueon Main Street. Tell her I sent you, and she'll take care of everything."
"Perfect," Sophia says, already typing notes into her phone. "We'll head there after we fortify ourselves with more of these incredible scallops. Another round please, Marcus."
"On the way," he smiles.
Two hours and three champagne cocktails later, I'm standing in front of a three-way mirror in the most luxurious boutique I've ever set foot in.
"Oh my God," Lucy breathes from somewhere behind me. "Mia. Holy shit."
The dress is midnight blue, so dark it's almost black, with a neckline that's sophisticated rather than scandalous and a silhouette that makes me look like I actually have curves.
I stare at my reflection, hardly recognizing the woman looking back at me.
The dress fits like it was made for my body, emphasizing everything good and somehow minimizing every insecurity I've ever had about my… lumpy figure.
Ryder would love this dress.
"It's too much," I say weakly. "I can't wear this to a hockey game."
But the thought of Ryder seeing me in this dress sends heat spiraling through my body. I imagine his reaction, the way his eyes would darken, how his hands might span my waist through the silky fabric...
I can't stop thinking about yesterday evening. How he showed up at the shelter right after practice, still slightly sweaty from what I hear was a brutal practice from Coach Brody.
Still, Ryder showed up, clearly tired but carrying takeout from my favorite Thai place. He was still wearing that boyish grin that makes my heart do stupid things, and when he kissed me the moment he saw me, I just melted like a teenager all over again.
Like I haven't been hurt by him before. Like everything I've stood strongly for has just melted away and disappeared from the face of the earth.
We ate in his truck, parked in the shelter's lot, sharing pad thai and spring rolls while he told me about Coach's latest motivational speech. I filled him in on the puppies' progress.
