The Penalty Box (Vancouver Wolves Hockey #3) - Odette Stone Page 0,92

but then Zoey had a brilliant idea.

The Valentine’s Day Charity Gala.

Zoey found out through Ryan that Mica had been volunteered to attend. So she bought tickets for me, Ryan and herself to attend. Would he be willing to talk to me? Would I find the right words to make him want to come home? Did he even want to come home, or had he completely walked away from this marriage? Did he really love me? Could we find our way through this?

“You need to look like a knockout,” she advised.

I chose my dress carefully. I picked a sleeveless light purple dress that had a fitted bodice and softly flared into a wide tulle skirt at the hips. Big tulle flowers seemed to float on the skirt.

I didn’t speak when Ryan and Zoey came to pick me up. I was too nervous.

Zoey kept reassuring me. “It’s going to be okay. Mica’s going to take one look at you and everything will be fine.”

I loved her confidence, but I wasn’t sure this plan would make any difference.

In the front foyer of the hotel, there was a bar set up where a hundred patrons stood around drinking in their finest. I stood at the doorway and my eyes searched the room.

There he was.

He stood off to the side. He looked so fucking handsome in his tux. It reminded me of that fateful first day when he had changed in front of me.

Then I saw Sabrina. She wore a blood-red fitted dress that should have clashed with her hair, but it only added to her glow. She angrily talked at him. He stood watching her with hooded eyes, no reaction on his face. My stomach did a queasy flop. Were they together? Was I too late? Is that why he hadn’t called me? Was my marriage already over?

“Come on.” Zoey tugged at my hand. “Don’t worry, I’ve got this figured out.”

I felt stupid for being here, chasing a man that didn’t want to be chased.

“Do you think Sabrina is his date?”

Zoey scowled. “No, Mica has way better taste than that.”

“I don’t think he wants to see me.”

She gave me a look over her shoulder. “Just trust me, okay? Let’s get through dinner. I have a plan.”

A familiar voice called me. “Charlie.”

I inwardly winced as I turned to look at Andrew, striding towards me with a huge smile on his face. “Oh hi, Andrew. What are you going here?”

He smiled. “I’m here because of my job.”

We stood there awkwardly for a long moment. I was too distraught over Mica and everything else to have any energy to direct towards Andrew.

He gave me a little smile. “Did I ruin our friendship with my Christmas gift?”

I couldn’t lie to him. He had crossed a line. “That gift made my husband uncomfortable.”

“You can tell him I have a new girlfriend,” he offered.

“That’s great, Andrew.”

“I’d love to introduce you to her one day.”

Where was Mica? I worked not to look around for him. “I’d love to meet her.”

He gave a nonchalant shrug. “She’s not here tonight, but Sandy loves her. We’re still working on Henry.”

I felt like I was going through the motions. “I’m thrilled for you.”

“I need to get to my table. Maybe we can catch up on a walk someday?” His smile broadened. “Maybe with my girlfriend?”

“That’d be nice.”

“Great. Have a great night.”

He turned and walked away from me.

Zoey looked at me. “How are you doing?”

I felt terrified. “I’m freaking out. Do you think he saw me?”

“Not yet.”

“I think this is a mistake. Mica doesn’t want to see me.”

“Don’t worry.” She promised. “We can discuss my plan while we eat.”

Chapter 26

MICA

I tossed my vodka back while staring blankly at Sabrina. She was speaking, her lips were moving, but I had no idea what she was talking about. Nor did I care. The only reason I was at this event tonight was because they had told me it was non-optional. I had to get through dinner, sit through some speeches and then I could head back to my hotel room, which, luckily for me, was upstairs. Sabrina looked pissed about something, but tuning into her words took energy I didn’t have.

I cut off Sabrina mid-sentence. “Why are you talking to me?”

Her lips parted. “Excuse me?”

“I asked, why the fuck are you talking to me?”

“Mica.” She sounded shocked.

Like I seemed to do to everyone these days, I took out my anger on her. “You know what you are? You’re not a puck bunny. You’re a bunny boiler. You’re the