Page 110 of Love Lessons
This is a preseason event every year, apparently. But this is the first time the jerseys were designed byme. And I still can’t believe it.
Right after I began dating Ian, the team owner—Rebecca Rowley Kattenberger—had invited me to take a look at the lineup of Bruisers’ spirit wear to see if I wanted to propose any new, more stylish gear. I’d told her I’d be thrilled to do it.
Then, two days later, she’d called me back to explain that they needed twenty special jerseys for this particular October fundraiser. And did I want to source them at my usual fee?
Yes, I certainly did. But because it’s a charity gig, I did it for free. And when I hadn’t liked the logo options available to me, I’d drawn a new one to show to Rebecca.
“Heck yes!” had been her response. “Do that. It’s perfect.”
Which is how I came to be sitting here in the front row as the lights go down and music swirls around the crowded stadium. “Ladies and gentlemen,” the announcer booms. “Get ready for a preseason matchup between rivals Brooklyn and Boston! Allow me to introduce tonight’s starting lineup. Wearing breast cancer awareness jersey number thirty-three, team captain, Ian Crikey!”
I stand up and scream as Ian skates out to loud applause. There’s my handiwork right on his broad chest. Then, one by one, he’s joined by his teammates, each one wearing the same purple jersey with a muscular bear on the front, clutching a pink ribbon in its paw.
“God, those jerseys are so cute!” Charli laughs. “I want one.”
“Get in line,” I tell her. “We’re going to bid on Ian’s. I have a feeling after tonight that he’s going to bid high. The money is going to four different cancer research foundations.”
“Don’t bid on Neil’s,” she says. “Hands off.”
“It’s a deal.”
After the starting lineup is introduced, the announcer tells the crowd how to bid on the jerseys. “Brooklyn Hockey dot com, slash awareness, folks! You can start now. Bidding ends tomorrow night at ten p.m.! The Brooklyn Hockey Organization would like to thank designer and stylist Vera Vestini for donating her time and design to this fundraising event.”
I let out a little gasp, because I hadn’t expected to hear my name read aloud.
And then the jumbotron camera zooms in on…me. There I am, smiling and shellshocked, seated beside Charli.
She lets out a cackle and elbows me as she lifts a hand to wave at the camera.
Luckily, I snap to and start to wave. The camera is probably only on me for a few seconds, but time slows down for a few beats of my heart as I have my moment in the spotlight.
The video cuts to Ian, down on the ice. He shows off his jersey with a smile then raises his hands to make a heart shape—like the member of a K-pop band might do.
And then he stuns me by mouthingI love you, Veraat the camera.
I let out another little shriek of surprise. Did that really just happen?
“Awwww!” Charli says with a laugh. “Look who’s turned into Mr. Romance. He clearly said your name just there.”
“He did, didn’t he?” My heart flutters, and I’m smiling so hard that I might never stop. “Wow.”
“Is that a first?” Charli asks.
“Well, yeah. It’s new.”
“New, but big,” Charli insists. “I guessed it when you gave him that haircut. And when you bought him that shirt. Then I declared victory that first night in Italy when he started putting the moves on you duringRoman Holiday.”
“What? Nobody was supposed to notice that.”
“You guys weren’t as subtle as you think.” She gives me a sly smile. “Now that I think about it, you’re like Audrey Hepburn. Cute and stylish. Exceptsheleft the guy behind after the fun trip to Italy. You don’t have to.”
I look at Ian again and hope that she’s right. Because I’m falling for him. I can’t help myself.
THIRTY-EIGHT
This One is Special
IAN
