Page 73 of Unmasking Love
"You are? That’s wonderful. I’ll admit I don’t know him very well yet, seems to keep to himself." Danielle smiles wide and sets a squirming Tilly down on the ground. "Well come on over and meet the other girls."
Danielle links her arm through mine and pulls me to the seats that overlook the rink. A few staff members are skating around getting the nets set up and dropping piles of pucks in different spots.
"Harper, this is Ivanna, Vlad's wife," I shake hands with one of the blondes. "And this is Caroline, Johnny's fiance." I turn towards her and she pulls me into a hug. I'm a little surprised so it takes me a minute to react. I've never really been a hugger. Mom was always putting her hands on people, men especially, and I would watch as they melted into her touch. Then in high school when you start to snuggle with your friends I didn’t have any so I never learned how to interact with women like that.
But, maybe this is a chance for me to learn. Danielle is very welcoming and Caroline obviously has no problem with me. Ivanna’s eyes were warm even as her face remained cool.
I never made friends at work because it is such a competitive environment. We’re friendly, sure, but I’m not going out with the girls on Fridays. I’mnot exchanging book recommendations with them. I’m not getting brunch and going out shopping.
I wonder if Aiden will want me here for all his practices. I wonder if that’s even possible with my work schedule. What’s expected of me as his girlfriend?
Maybe I could bring my computer and do work in The Corner and still be here for him and hang with the other girlfriends.
"Kate, Tyler’s fiance, just ran out to sign for a delivery at home but she'll be back. She ordered a new red light bed for their spa room." Danielle explains as she takes a seat. She indicates for me to sit with her so I do. "With Black Friday coming up I need to start thinking about upgrading our wellness equipment. I have been too focused on getting stuff for Little Miss Likes To Spill On All Her Clothing."
A surprised laugh slips out at the good natured way Danielle speaks about Tilly. Mom wasn't so easy going about me getting my clothes messy when I was little.
"Vlad wants to order a new fire pit for us. It comes with a pizza oven I think so we'll host a team dinner soon." Ivanna says.
"You think Felix would let you?" Caroline asks as I sit back and watch the women interact and discuss people I know. She looks familiar. Caroline might have been at the Halloween party, perhaps there with her fiance but I didn’t exactly make the rounds and I only know a few of Aiden’s teammates.
I make a mental note to study the team roster so I can speak intelligently with Aiden about the guys. I wonder if their stats are available anywhere.
"Good point. We’ll have to figure out a way to trick him into hosting it at our house."
The girls smile wide. I join in because we’re all feeling a connection over our mutual understanding of Felix Fornier, Mother Hen.
Theplayers start to step out onto the ice. I can see them talking to a young woman holding up a microphone before going out.
"Amber told me she was going to make them sing Christmas songs or do the ‘finish a lyric’ game today. The fans will eat that sh..stuff up." Danielle says as she pulls Tilly onto her lap. She reaches into a pocket and pulls out a whistle. "Now, remember, only quiet whistles up here, Til, or I'll have to put it back in my pocket."
"Yep." Tilly nods and focuses on the ice.
"She's got a little drill sergeant in her." Danielle shrugs.
The last hour has been so full of experiences and emotions I don't think I slowed down enough to be nervous about meeting these women. First, it was the anxiety about what to wear. Followed by the thrill of Aiden inviting me to the game. Then, Mom's phone call and the dread of having to explain her to Aiden. And only when I reached the door to the suite did I realize I was potentially walking into the lion's den.
Except this feels more like being welcomed into a treehouse.
I've never been immediately accepted into a group of women like this before. Real Estate is a constant competition and obviously high school was a completely different beast. In college I was a loner, keeping my head down to graduate early.
"So," Caroline turns to me. "As the former newest Renegades WAG I'm excited to be the one to ask you the questions."
"She's got a little drill sergeant in her as well," Ivanna whispers to me over her shoulder from the seat in front of me.
I laugh, "Okay."
Caroline squares her shoulders at me. "First question, how long have you been with Aiden?"
"Well, we made it official last night, but we’ve known each other for a month I guess."
"Sexy." Caroline nods. "Okay, next question. Have you hooked up only at his place or at yours too?"
"Um, both."
"Caroline, go easy on the girl." Ivanna scolds.
"I am! Do you remember what you asked me the first time we met up here?"
