“Even the color of her dress screams luck,” the reporter continued, urging her way to an answer.
Maxim winked at me, then focused on the reporter again. “I can say this,” he said, and my heart climbed up my throat as he gently squeezed my hip. “My game was beyond off before this one gave me the time of day.” He glanced down at me again, and I blinked up at him. “I have no idea what this incredible, smart, uber-talented artist sees in me, but in truth?” He turned back to the reporter. “I’m the lucky one.”
My heart fluttered in my chest, butterflies fangirling and freaking out all over the place inside me. Maxim freaking Zolotov. Goddamn him. He had all the right words. All the power in the world to turn me into a freaking puddle. On the red carpet, no less. How was I supposed to follow that?
Luckily, I didn’t have to because he urged me along the red carpet, answering a few hockey-related questions until we thankfully passed through the giant stone archway that led us into the historical building hosting the gala event tonight.
I released such a deep breath I swear my head spun.
“How was that?” he asked, keeping me close to his side as we wound our way through teammates and guests and waiters and waitresses serving appetizers and drinks on silver platters.
“Not as painful as I would’ve thought,” I said, and he snagged two crystal coupes off of a serving tray, handing me one. “But that could be due to your silver tongue,” I said as I held the glass up to him.
He clinked his with mine, and we both took a quick sip of what was the nicest champagne I’d ever tasted. “I meant every word,” he said, his voice low and hushed between us.
The massive ballroom with high stone ceilings was practically buzzing with conversation and music, but when he spoke to me like that, when he looked at me like that, I could only hear or see him.
He motioned toward the bar set up across the room where Sterling and London and a few of his teammates were mingling. I nodded, taking his offered hand as he tugged us in that direction.
“Wow, Evie,” Sterling said once we’d reached them. “You look beautiful,” he said.
“Oh my gosh,” London said, turning around from where she’d been chatting with Langley. The two looked drop-dead gorgeous in gowns of shimmering silver and blue. “You look fantastic! Where is that dress from?”
“Thank you,” I said, my cheeks heating but surprisingly, the nerves that usually accompanied being the center of attention didn’t come. Maybe they couldn’t combat the downright butterfly bliss party that was happening inside me right now. Either way, I’d roll with it. “Bristol actually made it for me.”
London’s mouth popped open before she scanned the crowd, no doubt searching for Bristol. “I can’t wait to tell her how amazing it looks! Just wow, Evie.” She fumbled in her tiny clutch, then pulled out her cell. “I have to take a picture of the two of you. You look amazing together.”
Maxim shifted effortlessly, sliding that hand around my waist. And to my utter shock, I moved like magnets connected us, leaning toward him and smiling like we’d done this a thousand times.
“Yay!” London said, snapping away. “I’ll send them to you,” she said, then held her phone toward me. “Could you take one of me and Jansen?”
“I’d love to,” I said honestly. Sure, I hadn’t tugged my camera along, but I could find a good angle and lighting with any equipment. I took her phone, and Jansen wound his arms around her like it was as easy as breathing. And just as I was snapping picture number two, he shifted London so she’d have to look up at him, her smile real and raw and downright brilliant as she met his gaze.
I snapped the photo, capturing the loving moment forever.
“Thanks,” London said when I handed her phone back. “You’re the best. What do you think of your first gala?”
My first gala. Not the gala. Because there would be many more to come if Maxim and I stayed together. I couldn’t shut off thoughts like that when they raced through my brain.
“It’s wonderful,” I said, following her gaze as we looked over the bustling crowd. Some couples were dancing on the elegant dance floor while others stood around high round tops draped in linen tablecloths. Champagne was flowing, music tinkling in the spaces between conversations, and it was just simply fantastic.
After Brogan and Cormac joined our little group, we all fell into easy conversations between drinks, and I found myself relaxing more and more into the role. The one where I fit perfectly into this tight-knit family, one where I wasn’t Mila’s best friend or even Maxim’s girlfriend, I was Evie. I felt like I’d found my place for the first time in a long time, and even though I wished Mila were here to enjoy this wonderful night with us, I was beyond proud of myself for being able to stand on my own.