Page 40

40

FORD

“ W hat’s the color scheme?” Cole asks as he twirls his pasta around his fork. “I hope whatever it is goes with my coloring.”

I snort as Harper laughs.

She cocks her head, studying him.

“Cole. You have dark hair and eyes. Every color goes with your coloring.”

She picks up her wine and takes a sip.

“Navy and orange.”

“Oh, I like it.” Jake says, lifting his glass and taping it against Harper’s. “Flowers?”

She smirks. “Tiger Lily’s.”

“Nice.” Daltyn says, raising his glass. “I approve of your choices.”

“Good thing,” Harper sasses. “Cause I’m not changing them. You’d have to shut up and put up.”

Allie laughs, raising her glass. “That’s my girl.”

Connor’s eyes slide down Allie’s form beside him. “I can’t wait to see you in a navy dress. I’m thinking halter top. Really accentuate your cleavage.”

Allie takes a sip of her wine, eyeing him over the rim. “Good idea. I’m sure Mark will like that.”

Connor’s brow furrows as a glint of determination flashes in his eyes.

He clenches his jaw before his gravelly voice asks, “Who’s Mark?”

She sets her glass on the table, then flashes a triumphant grin. “My boyfriend.”

Connor’s jaw works back and forth before he smirks. “He sounds like a tool.”

Allie gasps. “You don’t know him. You can’t?—”

“I don’t need to. What kind of name is Mark? Sounds like a boring ass sales rep or accountant.”

Her cheeks are scarlet as her spine snaps straight. “He is a sales rep that sells tax accounting software.”

Connor snorts, his arm sliding across the back of her chair. “I knew it.”

He shakes his head, leaning closer so that his lips nearly graze her ear. “Boring.”

Harper shoots me a look as she takes a bite of her fettuccine.

She leans over and says, “I’m letting her handle him.”

“Or not,” I scoff. “I’m not sure anyone handles Connor, least of all Allie.”

I glance over Harper’s head before brushing my lips over her forehead. “He’ll have her kissing him before she’s even aware she’s doing it.”

“Oh, I don’t know about that. Allie is very loyal.”

“Where is Mark?” My brows raise as I give her a pointed look.

Harper sighs. “Traveling. Again.”

“Is he planning on being here for the wedding?”

Harper shifts in her chair. “He told Allie he’d try but texted her earlier saying not to count on it.”

My hand moves to her thigh. “He’s not paying enough attention to Allie.”

I cut off Harper as she opens her mouth. “I don’t care what job he has. She should be his priority. You don’t let your woman go to your best friend’s wedding without you. Period.”

Connor, who is still tormenting Allie, locks eyes with me. “I agree.”

Allie’s face is scarlet.

She reaches over, grabs her wine, and downs the rest of it.

She locks eyes with the waitress and says, “Another, please.”

Connor smirks down at her as I exchange a look with Harper.

“You better warn Allie not to get drunk,” I whisper in Harper’s ear. “There’s no telling what Connor will convince her to do while she’s intoxicated.”

“Are we wearing navy tuxs?” Jake asks, pointing to Cole. “He says black.”

I shake my head. “Navy. Just like our team colors.”

Instantly, my four teammates start banging on the table, chanting, “Avalanche. Avalanche.”

I chuckle as the entire restaurant stares at us.

Harper’s face is bright red. “This is what I get for marrying a hockey player.”

Leaning in, I nuzzle her ear. “You know it, beautiful.”

I kiss her cheek, before pulling back slightly. “Have I told you how fucking stunning you look in that dress?”

She blushes, looking down at herself.

When her eyes lift to mine, she has a shy smile on her lips. “Yes, but I never tire of hearing it.”

I pull her into me. “I’ll show you how fucking beautiful you look tonight.”

Her face flames. “I’m holding you to that.”

I smirk. “As if you had any doubts how this night would end.”