Smile ever in place, Lily shakes her hand, then lets out a soft yelp when Sophie hugs her. “Nice to meet you, too.”
Lily shoots a questioning look my way. I shrug and grin. Like a royal couple in a greeting line, Lily and I are greeted and congratulated by almost everyone.
Olivia walks in with a tray of fluted glasses filled with champagne. “Everyone, grab a glass so we can toast the new couple.”
After Lily and I take one, Coach stands next to me. “Sincewe didn’t get to see you two get married, we thought we’d surprise you with our own little celly.”
Forcing a grin, I lift my glass up. “Quite the surprise, indeed.”
“And so thoughtful.” Lily’s hand on my waist tightens as if to remind me why we’re here.
Coach rushes over to help Olivia pass out the rest of the glasses.
Wade lets out a soft whistle. “Toast time.”
To which Coach waves him on.
You never know what you’ll get when it comes to Wade. He’s as unpredictable off the ice as he is on it—a great trait in hockey, but I’m not sure it works in his favor otherwise. But one thing is certain—his actions always come straight from the heart.
He lifts his glass as the room quiets. “To Payton and Lily. May their love always burn bright for each other, and may they always know their way to the bedroom.”
A banter of laughter and snickers fills the room. I don’t bother to stifle the groan that erupts from my chest. Nor do I miss the blush seeping into Lily’s cheeks as she glances shyly at me. We stare at each other for a moment, and something delicate shifts between us like a shared moment of intimacy, so I wink at her.
Her eyes widen just so…my reward. Put a point on the scoreboard for me.
Elias smacks Wade on the bicep. “Not the time, bro.”
Luke grunts under his breath. “There’s never a time for that, man.”
Wade’s expression turns downright repentant. “Sorry. I was just trying to keep the mood light.”
Mathéo chuckles openly. “You definitely made me laugh.”
With perfect timing, Coach’s wife, Olivia, lifts her glass. “To thehappy couple!”
Soft cheers and whistles fill the room. Lily takes a sip of her champagne, then presses a kiss on my cheek near the corner of my mouth. At the touch of her soft lips, my eyes close of their own accord as I instinctively lean into her.
As she pulls away, I catch her smug expression, followed by a subtle wink of her own.
I suppose part of me thought she was joking about making this a contest of sorts, but now that I know she’s serious, I will take great pleasure in waiting for my chance to even the score.
Most of the guests wander toward a large table covered with all kinds of finger foods and a large sheet cake decorated with wedding bells. Silver balloons and blue streamers swag the nearby windows, acting like a backdrop.
Once there’s some distance between us and the rest of the crew, I turn to face Lily. “You are a sneaky minx.”
She flashes a smile. “Just trying to do my part to keep it believable.”
I hum. “Well played, wife.”
She makes a show of mock innocence as her gaze swings toward the gathering of people eating and drinking as they converse. “You think so, husband?”
I ease into a grin. “If this bodyguard gig doesn’t pan out, you should consider going into acting.”
She tilts her head. “No, thanks. I prefer my life on the real side.”
Am I crazy to wish this thing between us could be ‘on the real side’? I don’t see how I can date my fake wife when she’s technically on the job as my bodyguard. But I do wonder…
Before I can say anything, Luke heads toward me, excitement gleaming in his eyes. Coach follows close behind, along with Wade, Elias, Mathéo, and Ethan. These guys are not only on my line but also have become my best friends. And I feel like a proper git lying to them like this.
