1. Vaughn
VAUGHN
Oh no.
My sober state is doing absolutely zero to deter my wandering eyes.
I was stuck wondering about this curiosity last night at the wedding of my buddy Connor. And it seems that I’m doing it again at this brunch for out-of-town guests.
It might be a cliché, but damn, the maid of honor is hot… and single. Couldn’t tear my sight away if I tried.
I kind of ignore the tiny detail that she’s also the sister of my nemesis on the ice, but maybe I get my kicks out of the idea that Briggs Chase would flip.
Isla is beautiful and has natural blonde hair that has a bounce when she swivels her hips on the dance floor, because, yeah, I noticed.
I’m sure she’s been to plenty of her brother’s hockey games, but I never really got a chance to notice because we only play the Spinners up here in Illinois so many times a season.
And even though they’re technically a Chicago team, the owner just moved them to Lake Spark.
I’m based down in Florida where the weather is warm and winter’s a dream.
Connor and Hadley had a Vegas wedding a few months ago that they didn’t quite remember, so they had a redo in Lake Spark, and now we are all thrown together for this over-the-top wedding weekend.
The last few days have been kind of unreal considering Connor’s dad is a hockey legend, it’s his Uncle Declan who owns the Spinners, and Connor himself is making waves as a hockey star.
This meant that the guest list was nothing less than the best of our league.
Then there is his teammate who wants to kill me on a normal day. I guess it’s fair, as I’ve thrown Briggs down in a few scuffles, including a penalty that cost him an important game. Which is why his glare is strong when I’m around.
His sister, Isla, doesn’t give me a glare, though.
Instead, I was picking up flirty vibes from across the room.
Unfortunately, she was on maid-of-honor duty most of the time, so I didn’t really get a chance to talk to her.
My effort to take her back to my hotel room last night was thwarted when I heard her mention that she was going to stay at Hadley’s parents’ house to be up early to help prepare brunch.
What kind of maid of honor does that? Shouldn’t she be partying into the early hours, drinking a tequila too many, and walking barefoot as she carries her heels, preferable back to my room?
I have three hours before I need to head to the airport because I have training tomorrow. This morning is my only chance to talk to the woman whose name is Isla, like an island. An island I would love to be deserted on… with her.
A hand lands on my shoulder, drawing me out of staring at Isla helping the bride’s mother adjust a few trays of coffee cake.
“How is Lake Spark treating you, Vaughn?” Declan asks as he hands me a mimosa. I’m sure he would want me on their team if I’m looking for a career change.
A knowing smirk hitches on the corner of my mouth. “You mean, would I be tempted to make this small little town a permanent spot?”
He grins. For the most part, he’s a good guy.
Another hockey legend who retired young then bought a team because he was already worth probably billions from his family.
“While I could tell you that you have a spot on my team whether you retire this season or not, we both know it wouldn’t be appropriate.
Although, before you dive into that ridiculous table-sized charcuterie board, I should mention that in the event that you retire, if you're interested, our general manager isn’t very popular according to the media. ”
The thought does create a mental note that I stick in the back of my head.
I know my hockey career is dying down. I’m in my mid-thirties, and maybe I have one or two seasons left, but it depends on how I play this coming season.
Still, I don’t want to think about it now.
I examine the over-the-top charcuterie table, complete with fruit, cheese, meats, breads, and nuts, and that’s not even including the dessert table.
My gaze darts back to Declan. “Oh, look at that, they have a quiche section.” I do my best to deter him. “You made your point.”
He smiles tightly. “I came to say hi and because I wanted to check in with you. I merely meant to ask if everyone has been hospitable.” Only partly a lie, I think.
“Sure, you did.” Okay, I sound skeptical, while my eyes scan the room to find the woman with a bright smile that could get me in trouble, but she disappeared.
“Isla went to check on Ace.” The man read my mind. My eyes sideline to him, and he shrugs. “It’s okay, your secret is safe with me.”
“Ace?”
“The dog. Connor and Hadley’s dog. My family has a thing for ensuring our Labradors dress for the occasion.” He shakes his head, as he seems to find it ridiculous.
“Right.” I spot my exit at the sliding door.
“Isla’s brother is helping Ford with something, so go quickly.
It’s your window of opportunity, which is good because I need Briggs in tip-top shape for pre-season games, so I’d rather he doesn’t catch you within a ten-foot radius of his sister,” Declan gives me a warning, yet a smile is hinted on his lips.
“I’m going to get some fresh air,” I say and walk away.
“I’m sure,” Declan mumbles.
I make my way outside to find Isla grumbling at the Lab-mix dog that just wants to play.
“Come on, Ace. Can’t you do this for like one hour?” She’s talking to the dog as she tries to tie on his bandana that has the date of the wedding and Connor and Hadley’s names. Isla is oblivious that I’m approaching.
I wait for her to notice, and I soak in the view of Lake Spark, with pristine dark blue water and pine trees outlining the lake. The dock looks like it gets good use. I can’t imagine that the small power boat at the end of the dock stays out all year, as they actually have four seasons in Illinois.
Isla grumbles once more as she kneels down because the dog lies on his back with his paws in the air. “This shouldn’t be part of maid-of-honor duty.”
Clearing my throat, her head perks up, and an awkward smile graces her mouth. “Oh, hey, you don’t happen to have some magic skill to get this dog to cooperate, do you?”
“Sorry, Isla. I left my dog-whisperer talents at home.”
It earns me a laugh, and she stands up, abandoning her efforts. Isla doesn't seem shy around me, and her face lightens when I’m here. A cute kind of bashful.
“It’s okay.” She steps closer to me, scans the area, then pretends to whisper. “I’m kind of hoping when the dog catches sight of that ridiculous cold-meat section inside that he will make a rookie move and land himself in the doghouse.”
I rumble a laugh. “That sounds like a plan we need to initiate.”
Isla brings her hand to her hip and tips her nose up. “We?”
I gently roll my shoulder back, relaxing, because I’m liking the ease of our conversation so far.
“I didn’t get much chance to talk to you last night.
All I know is that your Briggs’s sister, best friend of the bride, and you work in marketing at the Spinners training facility.
For all I know, you actually hate hockey. ”
She tilts her head slightly with a hum that drills straight to my groin.
“Well, you know I can’t hate hockey considering that’s my brother’s career.
You know, the brother who I’m positive would like to rip you into shreds, and that’s when he’s having a great day.
The brother who will lose it if he glances outside to see we’re talking. ”
I forgot I had a mimosa in my hand and use this opportunity to take a sip. “You’re just being polite to an out-of-town guest.” I’m unfazed.
“Fair enough.” A gleam flares in her eyes before she takes the mimosa from my hand, with her fingers briefly sweeping across my knuckles, and her touch has far more impact on my body than I should want.
Then her lips purse against the rim and she drinks from my glass.
I love how the shyness I thought she had seems to have been obliterated into a sexiness that I don’t even think she means to be transmitting. “Ready for your new season?”
“I am. After a trip to the Turks and Caicos back in June, I’ve been developing my skills all summer.”
“On or off the ice?” Now, now, that was 100% a playful inuendo that I fully support.
My grin stretches. “Are you this forward with all out-of-town guests or do I get special treatment?”
“I don’t know what you’re thinking, but I meant did you try cooking or sewing over the summer?” She’s coy, and her smirk doesn’t fade.
“Is that what you did this summer?”
She scoffs. “My summer was enjoying the lake, coffees at Jolly Joe’s with jellybeans with an obscure food coloring that means you get a surprise at the end of every coffee, and calming down my friend because she accidentally married a guy. Typical Lake Spark shenanigans.”
“Sounds tranquil.” I take back my glass of spiked orange juice.
We both watch the dog run to the other Labrador that I think belongs to Connor’s parents.
“Not my problem anymore.” She seems relieved the dog is gone and drops the bandana to the ground.
“Connor and Hadley stayed at the Dizzy Duck Inn last night to have a wedding night, even though they’ve already had one or three. It meant their furbaby stayed here.”
“That makes sense. You didn’t get much chance to party last night,” I comment.
A beaming smile spreads on her face. “I enjoyed last night, just didn’t hit the dance floor too often.
I really wanted to help the happy couple’s parents with everything, not to mention Hadley’s dress required assistance once or twice.
But I don’t mind, they are all family to me, the closest thing except for Briggs.
I mean, I got to talk to a lot of people. ”
I admire her selflessness wrapped in every word. “You talked to everyone except me.”