Chapter 56
WARD
L ater that week, Ward sat on the plush sofa in the private shopping area at Bergdorf’s, where he and Shelley had agreed to meet Hannah.
He tapped his foot impatiently while his newfound plus-one giddily perused racks of clothing suggestions provided in advance by the personal shopper.
‘Hannah seems cool,’ she’d commented that morning after the encounter at Frank’s, as she and Ward had meandered down 72nd Street, sipping their respective coffees.
Having sobered up considerably – both due to the jolt of caffeine and the random run-in, he’d simply nodded and mumbled something non-committal. He hadn’t wanted to talk about it – he had too much to think about when it came to Hannah.
‘You never explained who I was back there. You wanted her to think that you and I were together, didn’t you? That’s why you didn’t say anything when she mentioned the awards thing.’
‘Forget it.’
‘No, seriously. I saw how you were with her. She’s a lot more to you than just your publicist, isn’t she?’
‘Shelley, I’m serious. Don’t go there.’
‘OK, but I still think you should’ve told her we weren’t together.’ She scoffed. ‘As if! Even though I’m kinda glad you didn’t, since it seems I get to play Cinderella for a night.’
‘Yeah, thanks for rolling with that. I really do need a plus one so if you’re sure …’
‘Are you kidding me? A free dress and a red carpet event? Do you even know how long it’s been since I got glammed up?’
Now in the store, he had to smile as Shelley gasped, gently caressing the soft embroidered sleeve of one of the tux choices. ‘Woah, now I know how Julia Roberts felt …’
‘I hate this stuff …’ he grumbled, wondering where Hannah was. She was running late. These days, she seemed to always be running late. Too distracted by Kendrick probably.
‘Oh, stop whining,’ Shelley chided, without looking at him. ‘And stop with the foot-tapping too, it’s annoying. She isn’t that late.’ She glanced at her watch. ‘No need to send out a search party.’
But Ward still felt uneasy.
He was grateful to Shelley for agreeing to come along to the awards thing, albeit if it was just so she could get her hands on a fancy dress and a night hobnobbing on the Panthers’ dime. But now that she knew his secret … had guessed it … he worried about keeping up the ruse that they were together in front of Hannah.
Assuming she gave a rat’s ass either way.
But the truth was that he was kind of grateful to his trainer for the moral support too. Every time he’d got trussed up for this stuff, he ended up looking like an idiot or making a fool of himself. At least with Shelley on his arm, someone else he trusted to keep him on the straight and narrow at the best of times, all should be cool.
‘Now this is nice …’ She held up a sleek velvet emerald tux. ‘Very Harry Styles at the Grammys,’ she observed, tilting her head in admiration.
Ward snorted. ‘Isn’t that the guy who wears dresses and pearls too? Not the look I’m going for.’
‘Of course, I forgot. Ward McKenzie is way too macho to get in touch with his feminine side.’
‘It’s the NHL awards, Shelley. I don’t think me showing up dressed like a girl would go down well with the team.’ Although he’d consider it if it meant pissing off JP.
‘Let’s just wait to see what Hannah says when she—’
At that moment, the aforementioned bustled through to the personal shopping area, looking a bit frazzled. She seemed completely out of sorts and distracted too, as if she had a million things on her mind and this appointment was just one more stupid item on her to-do list.
‘Sorry, I know I’m late. Apologies.’ She smiled at Shelley and went to embrace her. ‘Hi! Great to see you.’ Then her eyes rested on Ward. ‘You OK? You don’t look happy.’
‘I’m fine,’ he answered, even as he felt the blood start to pump harder in his veins simply because she had entered the room – and at the way she now seemed to be appraising him, reading him. ‘Shelley was just looking at some of the stuff the Bergdorf’s person pulled.’ He shrugged. ‘Seems she’s a Gucci girl.’
‘Oh yes, I love this, it’s perfect,’ Hannah agreed, walking forward to touch the luxurious fabric. ‘A bit easier than last time.’ She grinned at the other woman. ‘Clearly, you have great taste.’ She chuckled. ‘Or you’re much better at keeping him in line than I am, more like.’
In response, Ward seemed determined not to meet Shelley’s eye and ignored the knowing smile on her face.
‘It’s nice, I guess,’ he muttered. He got up from his chair and retreated unwillingly to the changing room.
Hannah looked at Shelley, a look of disbelief on her face. ‘Seriously, why couldn’t I have met you months ago?’ She winked. ‘My job would’ve been a whole lot easier.’