Page 99 of Cold Feet
"This isn't over," he said quietly from the doorway. "And I'm not walking away this time, Lana. Not unless you tell me that's really what you want."
The door closed behind him with a soft click, leaving me alone with the shattered pieces of what had, just hours ago, felt like a brand new beginning.
I sank into my chair, the veneer of professionalism finally crumbling as tears spilled down my cheeks. My chest ached as if physically bruised, each breath painful. How could I have been so stupid? How could I have let myself believe, even for a moment, that Cam Murphy,or anyone for that matter, would ever choose me over hockey?
My gaze fell on the sapphire ring, glittering coldly in the center of my desk. I reached out, touching it with trembling fingers. For a brief twelve hours I'd allowed myself to imagine it was real – that everything whispered in the dark was more than just words.
History, it seemed, was determined to repeat itself. And this time, I had no one to blame but myself.
Chapter 18
I've always prided myself on maintaining control. In crisis management, being the calm in the storm is practically part of my job description. I'm Lana freakin' Decker, youngest PR director in the NHL, daughter of a hockey legend, professional problem solver.
But as I sat at my desk, staring blankly at my computer screen, control felt like a distant memory. My phone wouldn't stop buzzing with notifications, my inbox was overflowing, and my heart – well, that was another disaster entirely.
"Three more requests for comment on Cam potentially going to Montreal," Katie announced, placing a steaming cup of coffee on my desk. She gave me a concerned look. "I told them all 'no comment' for now."
"Good," I managed, grateful that at least my voice sounded steady. "Thank you."
She lingered in the doorway, clearly weighing whether to say something more. "Are you... okay? You seem..."
I pressed my fingertips against my temples, trying to ease the tension headache building there. Images of last night flashed unbidden: Cam's hands in my hair, his lips on my neck, the weight of him above me. The memory only sharpened the contrast with this morning's reality.
"Fine," I answered automatically, smoothing my blazer. "Just a lot happening today."
She shifted her weight, clearly debating whether to push. "You know, if you need anything, or someone to talk to..." She trailed off, the offer hanging in the air between us. "Or I could grab you a cupcake from downstairs? You look like you could use one."
The kindness nearly broke me. I swallowed hard, pressing my fingernails into my palm to maintain control. "Thanks, I really appreciate that. But right now, I need to focus on a strategy memo for Marcus." I gestured to my laptop. "Crazy busy day."
Katie nodded, unconvinced but professional enough not to push. "Well, you should probably know that Cam's confession to Zayne has officially gone supernova online." She pulled out her tablet and turned it to show me. "It's like, everywhere."
I forced myself to look at the screen, where a compilation of fan reactions to the now-infamous video filled the display. People had edited the video of Cam telling Zayne "It's always been her" with romantic music, slow motion, dreamy filters – transforming a private moment into public entertainment.
@HockeyHottiesDaily had posted:Is anyone else DECEASED over Cam Murphy's declaration about Lana?? "It's always been her" I CANNOT BREATHE
@Slashrr2232 said:First rule of hockey, you don't mess with your teammate's sister
@SlashersFanatic4Ever wrote:If Montreal steals Cam from St. Pete after THAT video with Zayne, I'm throwing myself into Tampa Bay
@PuckBunnyQueen's post had over 50,000 likes:Let me get this straight: We find out Cam Murphy has been secretly pining for ONE woman for YEARS and now he might move to freaking CANADA?!
And the comments just got worse from there:
OMG imagine being loved like that!! Lana is living everyone's dream!!
Bet Montreal's single ladies are already buying Hitman jerseys
Is it wrong that I kinda ship Cam with Zayne after that hug tho?
I closed my eyes briefly, a wave of nausea washing over me. "Thank you for the update," I said, taking the tablet and placing it face-down on my desk. "Can you hold my calls for the next couple of hours, and reschedule any non-essential meetings for later in the week please? Also, would you please confirm my cat sitter through the weekend? I'll be lucky to go home at all this week."
"Of course," Katie said, still hovering. "A couple more things: Coach Sully wants you at practice this afternoon.Sports Illustratedis sending a photographer for the 'Season Expectations' piece."
My stomach dropped so fast I felt momentarily dizzy. Practice. Where Cam would be. Where I'd have to stand on the sidelines, watching him skate in front of the press, pretending nothing had changed. Where everyone would see us together – or notablynottogether – after that viral video of his confession to Zayne.
"Thanks, okay, let’s add that to the schedule." I managed, stealthily reaching for the ring from beneath the papers and slipping it back onto my finger. No matter how I felt, I still had a job to do.
"And Ryan Keller called. He said to tell you the Redline signing scheduled for tomorrow is being pushed to next week while they 'monitor the situation.' He'll call with details later."
