Page 20 of Bride Games

Clearly gobsmacked, the receptionist let the station’s phone ring several times before going to voicemail. “Really?” She reached for the vase and plunked the bouquet on her desk. “Thanks.”

“Enjoy.” Paige turned on her heel, smiling the entire way to her office. Trent wasn’t exactly cheap but he wasn’t extravagant either. He’d be furious she gave his precious roses away. She’d take any satisfaction she could get. Settling back in her officechair, Paige brought up ESPN’s website and social media. She enjoyed studying the competition—never copying it—but learning from others and thinking of new and different ways to cover sports. Better ways with unique story angles. ESPN had hired the gorgeous, effervescent Marie Fallon about six months after Paige made a big splash on the sports scene. Paige scowled as she scrolled through some of Marie Fallon’s sports stories, which were eerily similar to Paige’s. She rolled her eyes, wishing she had noticed the similarities before briefly meeting Marie at the hotel. Her trilling phone made her stop scrolling. “Paige Daniels.”

“Hey, Paige. It’s Zach. I just called to say I miss you.”

“Hey you.” Paige blew out a breath she didn’t realize she was holding. “I needed that today. I miss you too—a lot.”

“Rough day?”

Paige shrugged, even though no one could see her. “I guess. Not bad, really. How’s it going? Where are you?” Pressing her phone to her ear since the background noise was loud, she asked, “Are you in a bar? It sounds downright bawdy.”

“Actually, yeah, I am.”

Paige heard a female giggle.This ought to be good.“And?”

“I’m…wow. You’re not going to believe this.”

Paige heard more muffled giggles. “Try me.” Not in the mood for games, especially after Trent’s roses, she got up and closed her office door. “Who is with you, Zach?”

“Remember Marie Fallon from ESPN?”

Bristling, Paige felt her nose scrunch.The one who is copying my format for story ideas and athletes’ profiles. The one who practically sat on your lap when we drove to the airport?Paige spoke in a clipped tone. “She’s rather difficult to forget.”

“Guess what?” Zach sounded a little too excited. “Marie’s having a huge party this weekend. She invited me. She said you can come too.”

“No thanks.”

“Don’t you want to think about it?” Zach’s voice sounded perplexed.

“Nope.”

“Why not? Marie said some retired and current NFL players will be there. Sounds like she has an enormous house with a swimming pool and everything. She said the party will be catered with a full bar. Wild right?” Zach whistled as Paige heard Marie add, “A band too, Zachy.”

Paige rolled her eyes as Zach said, “Doesn’t that sound fun?”It sounds like torture. Great. She’s beautiful, sexy—and rich. A perfect trifecta.“I can’t go. I promised I’d take my best friend, Emma, out to eat somewhere nice. You know for all the wedding prep she did for me for no good reason.” Paige hesitated for good measure. “I still feel guilty about it.”

“Oh, come on, Paige. It’ll be a blast. Besides, didn’t you tell me you gave your friend the wedding dress she chose for you? The one that you?—”

“Never wore. Yeah, I gave it to her.”

“I’d say that’s payment enough. Those things are expensive, aren’t they?”

“Yeah, but the time she put in. You can’t get time back—ever—and she’s a single mom. I never should have asked her to plan my stupid non-wedding.”

“Don’t beat yourself up.” Zach’s voice lifted. “All the more reason to party this weekend. Can’t you reschedule your dinner with Emma? I’m sure she’d understand.”

“I’m not feeling it, Zach. I’m craving downtime after so many road trips last season. But you go and have fun.”Just not too much fun.

18

Emma

While drinking coffee, Emma heard the familiar business ringtone for her company and crossed the kitchen to answer her cell. “Hello, this is Emma from Page-Turning Swag.”

“Hi, Emma. I’m a debut author. You came highly recommended. I really need some help and ideas. I have a novel coming out in?—”

Emma grimaced. She hated hurting authors’ feelings, especially a new author. And by the fast talking, she could tell this author was already stressed. As an avid reader, she had built her business around helping authors promote their work by creating unique promotional swag they could use at book signings and conferences. But with her wedding to Eli, she needed to put her small, albeit thriving, Etsy business on hiatus. A recent, unexpected magazine article in a literary magazine featuring Page-Turning Swag was making that difficult. Emma had already turned down three repeat clients who, happily, understood her predicament.

The woman’s voice rose. “Hello, are you there?”

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