“I’ll be quick.”
Mikah sped up to a normal pace and placed her on her feet before the team.
Piper smoothed her dress and nodded to Coach. “Thanks for letting me steal a quick minute of your time.”
Coach grunted.
The guys stared at her legs.
She hoped they found goose bumps attractive.
“Hi, guys.” Piper paused until their gazes found her face. Well, most of them. “Dahlia wants to host a barbeque because things are going well so well, and she thought, let’s start a monthly group birthday barbecue.” Piper smiled at the captain. “November means you, Ronan. This Saturday at Applebaum manor. 6:00 p.m.”
Several guys patted Ronan’s shoulder. “Happy birthday, Cap.”
Ronan smiled easily. “Thoughtful, thanks, all, but I’m going up for my parents’ anniversary party in Seattle. We always celebrate that weekend as a family. Sorry, guys.”
Oh, this was what happened when half-assed plans met reality. They should have thought of a backup option. There was quiet.
Rookie asked, “Do we still get barbecue?”
Captain gave him a shut-it-down look that had her questioning if he was really going to see his family.
Kiernan threw his hand in the air. “December 1. Do me.” His teal eyes shined. “Let’s have ribs.”
Piper gave him a thumbs up. “Kiernan for the party save.”
The guys chuckled.
“Any other December birthdays?”
The team members shook their heads.
“Okay, respectfully, that’s enough front office on my practice time,” Coach said. “Not sure why this couldn’t be handled with an email.”
Yep.
Kiernan swooshed forward. “I got her,” he said to Mikah.
Mikah frowned.
Kiernan lifted her up with one big swoop and skated toward the ice entrance.
Piper held on to his jersey-covered arm. Totally different feeling being carried by him. His balance was stellar, but she couldn’t relax. She should have sent an email.
Kiernan shifted toward the gate. “Let’s do lobster too. And black tie. We’ll invite the models from the app. We can hire models as servers.”
“Okay.” Piper chewed on her lip. “I’m trying to get my sister out of the house more. Cool if she comes?”
“Yep. All your pretty friends can come.” Kiernan nodded. “Balloons. A lot of them. But birthday colors, not just team colors.”
“You got it.” Dude was into his birthday. “Let me get the picture right.” They’d reached the gate, and he set her down, holding her arm so she didn’t fall. “Kegger or champagne?”
“Both.”
Dang, what was even more over the top? The manor had a ballroom perfect for a formal affair, they could also do photobooths with funny glasses, leis, masks. “A masquerade?”
“Hell yeah.” Kiernan grinned big. “It’ll be like a box of chocolates. I won’t even know which model I’m biting into.” He sounded so excited; she couldn’t even punch him in the arm for the sentiment.