Page 16 of Game Changer

“But you wanted a princess gown.”

“When I was ten, Nova.” She laughs.

We used to dress up as brides as little girls. We’d pull wildflowers from near the camper we lived in to make bouquets and use mosquito netting for veils. Being on the road, we didn’t have a lot of possessions, but it never bothered me. We made our own joy from the things around us.

I shake it off.

“So, I can’t wait to get started. Tell me what you need.”

“The guests are confirmed, obviously. The venue is secured, and we’re doing the reception here at the house. Flowers are ordered, and there’s a cake testing scheduled in a couple of days, but…”

My heart leaps at the prospect of helping in some important way.

“We need to approve the linens for dinner, which means getting fabric swatches over to Chloe.”

“Who’s Chloe?”

“Chloe Kim is Harlan’s head of PR. And my maid of honor.”

The twisting in my gut is sharp as my vision of standing at my sister’s side comes crashing down.

I think of the MOH speech I’ve been working on. The imagined pictures of us together with matching bouquets.

Sure, my sister didn’t officially ask me to be her MOH, or hint that she would, but I figured everything was last minute.

“Oh.” I force a smile and pretend I’m not dying inside. “I can’t wait to meet her.”

“You’ll love her. You’ll get a chance to talk to her at the dress fitting in a few days.”

And agonize over what Chloe has that I don’t until then?

Hard pass.

“Hey, what if I run those samples over to Chloe now? Save you the stress.”

Mari’s brows lift. “Great. Let me text her.”

* * *

Don’t spill on this car.

I carefully navigate the Starbucks drive-through.

This is what they created ventis for: facing the woman who’s replaced you at your sister’s side.

Once it’s tucked into the cupholder, I follow my phone’s navigation to the Denver Kodiaks' stadium in the heart of town.

Security helps me find parking when I flash my ID.

No matter who Chloe is, I’m going to make this wedding the best it can be. Nothing will get in the way.

I take a sip of Starbucks to ease the knot in my chest.

Inside, the stadium is next level.

My feet seem to echo in the vast hallways, empty except for security at their posts. One of the guards points the way to a black-and-purple reception desk. On the wall is a huge logo of a growling bear with a basketball, and two women are behind the desk, conferring.

“Hi! I’m Lena, Chloe’s assistant.” One of the women springs forward, beaming when she spots me. “You must be Nova. Have you seen the court? We can stop by on the way to Chloe’s office.”

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