and Callie. While Callie and Aviva haven’t had breast cancer, they both had double mastectomy surgery since they are genetically predisposed to getting it. ’Callie’s only eighteen, I think, and part of my plan is to show that cancer has no age limits. Aviva had the surgery after her mother’s long battle with breast cancer and is currently pregnant. I want to show that after the storm, there is sunshine. Add in the fact that both Aviva and Callie are courageous and stunning women, and I know their pictures will be inspiring.
I kiss Lacey’s cheek before heading toward Aviva and Callie. I plaster on one hell of a grin since I know Aviva is wary of me. Thankfully, she smiles as we shake hands. “It’s so good to see you. Thank you for coming.”
“Of course. It was great to be able to see Callie, even though we just dropped her off at Bellevue a couple weeks ago.”
Her sister beams. “Hey, I’m not complaining,” she says as she shakes my hand. “Thank you for having us.”
“Absolutely. How much longer you got, Aviva?” I ask, pointing to her belly.
She beams as she holds it. “Four months. I almost can’t believe it.”
“My sister and cousin are pregnant. You know Amelia.”
Callie lights up. “Yes, she’s my coach. She’s actually meeting us for dinner tonight.”
“Isn’t it funny how we’re all connected somehow?” I ask as I smile widely at both of them. “I am so excited. You guys are going to kill these photos,” I gush, and then another voice joins us.
A throaty one. One that belongs to a guy I was with for a hot second.
“Of course they will. No one is as gorgeous as my girls.”
Nico Merryweather towers over us as he hugs Aviva. He’s a beautiful man and a very talented goalie. He was also great in bed, but I knew from the beginning that he wouldn’t last. He wasn’t Aiden Brooks. Thankfully, though, he found Aviva, and I know he’s found true happiness. I wanted nothing less for him. He’s a good dude, just not my dude.
“Agreed. They’re stunning for sure. How are you, Nico?”
“Fantastic. You?”
“Same. I’m very excited for this campaign.”
“Surprised you are doing this days before your own wedding, but then, you don’t ever stop working,” he says, though his eyes never meet mine. I think that was one of my biggest pet peeves about Nico. Eye contact. Aiden doesn’t look anywhere but my eyes, never has, even when we were kids. I love that connection. I crave it. Jesus, even when I don’t want to think of Aiden, I do.
I always do.
“I want this to hit before the season starts, so we had to do it now. I’m managing.”
“You always do.”
“Evan and Owen said the same,” Aviva adds with a smile. “We had dinner with your brothers this weekend. They told us all about the wedding and how you don’t even sleep.”
I grin. “I sleep. They just don’t see it. I’m sure everyone is ready for it to be over except me.” I laugh as I cross my arms. “How are my knucklehead brothers doing up there?”
Nico nods as we head toward the dressing area. “I feel they’re a shoo-in. If Evan can get his head out of his ass. He overthinks everything.”
That worries me. That was one of my mom’s biggest fears about sending Evan off to the NHL instead of having him go to college first. “He’s known to do that. He’ll figure it out. He’s a great player.”
“He is,” Nico agrees. “But then, I hear all Adlers are forces to be reckoned with.”
I flash him a grin. “We sure are.”
Before I can direct Aviva and Callie to hair and makeup, I see Aiden standing only feet from me. He looks a mess, his hair in a bun, but it’s leaning to the side as if he’s run his fingers through his hair despite his bun. My heart falls at the sight of him. I can tell he’s upset, and I hate that I caused that. I watch as his eyes move between Nico and me.
Easy to say, Aiden’s not a fan of my past lover.
I clear my throat and say, “Oh. Hey. I thought you were playing golf?”
He shrugs. “I wanted to see you.”
My heart flutters. “Okay, give me a second,” I say, turning to Aviva and Callie. “Hey, so these are the dressing rooms. Your rooms are labeled with your names, and your outfits are waiting for you. First, though, hair and makeup are