Page 66 of Playmaker

For most people,trying on beautiful clothes was not an issue. My figure and coloring always made clothes more challenging. But this wasn’t just finding a pretty dress. There were layers of clothing, starting from the skin up. I’d worn the best bra and underwear I had, but I could feel the saleswoman’s disapproval as we tried on yet something else.

The first thing was to find the dress—thedress. I’d have spent less time shopping for my own wedding dress if I ever lost my mind enough to consider marriage. But Cooper wanted to impress his family, so he was fussy. I was getting used to his magic now, how something he picked out would transform how I looked in ways I couldn’t really figure out. Part of it was color, but there were infinite variations in a color, and some were magic and some were not.

Everything I tried on looked good, but not quite right. I wasn’t sure whether to be relieved or dread another session. And then we found it. Despite the cost and the lack of practical usage, I loved the dress. It was green, but nothing like the dress I’d worn to the charity event. It was low cut for me, but in a classy way, and made me look…like the woman some part inside me had always wanted to look like. I coveted that dress as soon as I tried it on. I could fit in anywhere like this. Like I belonged. I didn’t even mind the smug look on Cooper’s face.

And it broke me. The saleswoman brought in lingerie that suited the dress, and I caved. With “the dress” out of the way, I tried on something for the family dinner, and the rehearsal, and the two of them dressed me up like a doll. The three dresses, more lingerie, shoes and purses were added on and I just let them. Something in the back of my brain balked at the idea of how much this would cost, but I mutteredinvestmentand shoved the thought down.

When we finally left the shop, I was tired but surprisingly happy after hours spent in a store. Not because there hadn’t been any flirting, but because I was done. Definitely that. Cooper held open the car door for me.

“What about the clothes?” We hadn’t brought out any bags with us. I only had my purse, where my credit card was almost too hot to touch after that trip. There were some tailoring adjustments to be made, but I was strangely reluctant to leave the items behind.

“They’ll send them over.”

“To your place or mine?” All the information they had on me was my credit card and that didn’t come with an address.

“Yours. I gave them the address for the delivery.”

Once Cooper was in the car, I frowned and asked, “How did they know my size and everything?”

He shrugged. “I told them.”

Right. Like he had for that sportswear store that was his sponsor. “Well, thank you.”

His eyebrows rose. “You’re welcome. I thought you’d fight this a lot harder.”

“Darcy told me not to be difficult. I’m sure I can wear these things again. And…” I swallowed and admitted the truth. “I like them.”

A smile crossed his face, like I’d given him a gift by making that admission. He was always attractive, but this did something else. Something that was dangerous for my mental well-being and the limits I’d imposed on our relationship.

I was way too invested. It was a good thing we were almost finished with our arrangement. Just over a month. I could be sensible for a few weeks.

* * *

Cooper

I was havingsecond thoughts about inviting Callie to the wedding.

The social circle my family was part of was Briarwood on steroids. I’d thought about how a tax lawyer would impress my family and mess with their assumptions about me. Someone from their world, with the stupid jock. It didn’t matter that I made more money than any of them. Had been more successful. Since I hadn’t toed the family line, they adjusted their qualifications to protect their own world view.

Making sure my underwear ads were posted where they couldn’t miss seeing them had been petty, but I enjoyed imagining their reactions when asked about it. I refused to be ashamed of my choices.

Family get-togethers included a lot of subtle hostility. Growing up I’d learned how to handle that kind of battle. But had I made a mistake? Would this hurt Callie? The thought of something Pierce or my father said wounding her upset me more than anything they threw at me.

But she’d never back out now. She needed to think she was bringing something to our arrangement. I’d deal with this protective streak by keeping close to her and interceding as necessary. I’d introduce her as a friend, but there would be assumptions that we were more than that.

Our increased workouts helped keep me from obsessing over this upcoming trip. A couple more guys, like Oppy and Deek, had come back to town, so our on-ice training was pushing our fitness levels. Darcy joined us when we went to the driving range, and I spent evenings with the guys, maintaining those team bonds, checking their mental condition as well.

That was my job. Not worrying about a lawyer meeting my family.

Callie had gotten her clothes back from the tailors last week. We were flying out on Thursday. She had reluctantly agreed that I could pay for the flights because this was my event. I didn’t tell her we were flying first class since my tight-fisted lawyer wouldn’t have sprung for that. I grinned as I pictured her reaction when we boarded. I wasn’t a small man, and since I had the money, I paid for comfort. There was also a reasonable chance that no one in first class would tell me how my team had messed up that last game in the Cup final, but someone in economy undoubtedly would. Call me a snob, but I had experience to back me up.

I picked her up in a limo—I didn’t want to leave any of my cars in airport parking.

She walked out of her building in a dress, one of the outfits from my sponsor. It flattered her body, emphasizing her hourglass figure and making her hair glow. She looked cool and composed, her hair pulled back in a French twist, with discreet makeup. She had no jewelry beyond a couple of studs in her ears, and I had an urge to get her something. My mom and my sister wouldn’t be vulgar, but they’d have a substantial investment in jewels on. I wanted Callie to look just as valued.

I mentally shook myself. Like Callie would let me buy her jewelry. And I didn’t do that—buy things for my dates. Or friends.

The driver opened the door to let her in, then took her luggage to the trunk. I was about to tell her how good she looked when she cut me off.

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