Page 70 of The Cupcake Cottage

“I have to fly to New York tonight. Tomorrow morning we’re doing the shoot.”

“But you practice tomorrow morning.”

It wasn’t like him to miss practice. Not for money.

“I can miss one.”

Was it just one, though? She feared it was the thin edge of the wedge.

“Why can’t they hire a different photographer?”

They had planned their wedding around hockey. Theirwedding. And now this was pushing aside their wedding planningandhockey?

“I don’t like this.” She caught herself. “But it’s not my decision, not my career. So, go. Get the photos taken.”

“I’m sorry.”

“Are you going to call Cassandra and tell her we’re canceling again?” If he was the one always pulling out, he needed to be the one facing the disappointment from everyone. Yes, as his partner, she should be more giving, but she was working two jobs and commuting several days a week as well. Plus trying to plan their late-spring wedding with him.

It was like Laura said, boundaries.

If she kept taking over more and more things from his life, she’d soon be drowning. If he was saying yes to every deal that came across his agent’s desk and expecting her to bend around it all, then he at least had to sort out how to make it all happen. She wasn’t his assistant, and that wasn’t the kind of relationship she wanted to have with the man.

“Anything you decide with Cassandra is fine by me.” He planted a kiss on the top of her head.

“No. No way. I am not planning our wedding without you. If you don’t help, there is no wedding.”

“Daisy-Mae,” he said with a hint of impatience.

“No. Because right now, I don’t even know if you would be able to carve out the date and make it.”

Maverick looked at her in shock.

“I am not your mother or your assistant. I can’t be superwoman. I’m not willing.”

He looked miffed.

“I like to think I’m supportive. I come to your away games when I can. I flex my schedule around your practices and games so we can sit and chat or commute together. But I can’t do all of this. I’m not going to put my entire life on hold––”

“I’m not asking you to.”

She felt the statement hit her like it was the lead-in to a breakup speech.

“Look, we’re a team,” he said, the vein on his forehead bulging. “I got you that apartment because you needed it, and it would make your life easier. I’m not even staying there because you don’t like how it might look to the public. And I appreciate you looking out for me. I really do. But I need you to help me out a little, too.”

Daisy-Mae closed her eyes, realizing he had a point.

He didn’t want to break up, he was just frustrated too. They both needed to give and take, and he was doing his best even if it felt like it wasn’t enough.

It was all just so exhausting.

“I’ll talk to Cassandra. But the next appointment we make with her needs to be in pen. Not pencil. And maybe…” She waited until she had his full attention, hating that she was about to suggest this. “Maybe we need to push the wedding date back. Just until things settle down.”

CHAPTER 12

Daisy-Mae shifted uncomfortably, checking her phone for a miracle I’ll-be-there-after-all text from Maverick. Even though she knew he was still in the city, even though the wedding ceremony would be starting at any moment.

He was supposed to be here, though. She’d chosen his tie to match her aquamarine dress. All based on his gorgeous eyes. She’d been looking forward to today. Just the two of them—finally—celebrating Valentine’s Day at a wedding. But a last-minute meeting change followed by an additional commitment, and he wouldn’t make it back to town until the reception.

---