Page 152 of Lace 'em Up

Though I don’t miss that she stops off for another cookie.

King takes my hand. “Your chariot awaits.”

I exhale.

Because this is it.

All of the work of the last months, all of the pups we’re going to be able to help over the next year, every detail I’ve obsessed over…it’s all coming down to tonight.

A hand on my jaw.

A kiss on my forehead.

“It’s going to be okay.”

And somehow with his palm on my skin and his calm, confident eyes holding mine, I know that he’s right.

“It’s going to be great,” I whisper, taking his hand and letting him lead me to the car.

The winery is beautiful.

The space is perfectly decorate.

Lots of alcohol is consumed and hardly a crumb of “fancy” food remains.

And money is flowing.

So, I decide it’s safe to stop in the bathroom for a necessary pit stop.

And that’s when I realize King and I were both wrong earlier.

Because I come face to face with…

“Stacy.”

Forty-One

King

“…and that play you made to get that puck between Sanderson’s leg pads just at the buzzer”—the man in front of me is practically vibrating with excitement as he discusses our last game against the Grizzlies—“I was in the arena, man, and it was absolutely electric.”

“Right,” I say, scanning the crowd—and it’s a crowd because the gala is sold out, and has been for weeks.

I can’t see Rory in all the chaos.

Which isn’t all that much of a surprise.

I haven’t seen much of her since we arrived—what with her having to be everywhere at once and schmoozing all of the rich donors.

But I’ve caught glimpses of her in the room as she works her magic, as I’ve done my best to pull my weight and get people drinking and eating and spending money.

And drive up competition for the silent auction.

“…and Rome”—the man whistles—“he’s smooth as hell on the ice. I can really see how much he’s grown since he left the Gold…”

“Yeah,” I agree, frowning now as I’ve reached one end of the space and still haven’t come across a glimpse of my gorgeous blond in her pale blue dress, her sparkling shoes not as bright as the light she has inside her. “Rome is great.” I start to scan back the other way, searching more carefully this time.

And…not finding.

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