My 'friends' scurry me away until I'm nestled in a corner booth at Iron Ridge's newest restaurant,The Lookout Lodge, watching Sophia examine the extravagant cocktail menu.
The place is exactly what you'd expect from a restaurant that opened specifically to cater to the town's newfound prosperity thanks to the Icehawks. Exposed brick walls, Edison bulblighting, and enough rustic charm to make a Pinterest board weep with joy.
"You need something with champagne," Sophia declares, not looking up from the menu. "Something celebratory. After all, tonight is a big deal."
"It's a hockey game," I protest weakly.
"It'syourhockey game," Natalie corrects, settling beside me with a cocktail that's an alarming shade of pink and garnished with what appears to be crystallized rose petals. "There's a difference."
Lucy slides in across from us, already halfway through something that looks like liquid gold and smells like heaven. "So. Has anyone mentioned that the local news is planning to interview you during the first intermission?"
My stomach drops through the floor. "They're WHAT?"
"Relax," Sophia waves a dismissive hand. "I already talked to them. Two questions max, both about the shelter and what the money will go towards."
My mind races through the shelter's endless needs.
The ancient AC unit that rattles like it's possessed. The leaky roof over the cat room. The desperately needed expansion for a dedicated quarantine space. Medical supplies. A new bathing station. Updated adoption software.
Maybe even hiringactualstaff.
But I'll never have enough money for all of that. The reality stings, but I force myself to breathe. Because whatever happens tonight, something is better than nothing, and it's all thanks to Ryder.
He gave me this chance to help the animals I love.
A server appears beside our table like something out of a fairy tale. Tall, dark hair, cheekbones that could cut glass, and the kind of smile that suggests he moonlights as a model when he's not carrying artisanal cocktails.
"Ladies," he says, voice smooth as silk, "I'm Marcus, and I'll be taking care of you this afternoon. Can I start you off with something to drink?"
Sophia barely glances at him, but I notice Natalie and Lucy exchange appreciative looks that would have Coach Brody and Connor puffing their chests out like a possessive baboon.
"Four champagne cocktails," Sophia orders with the confidence of someone accustomed to making decisions for entire groups. "The lavender honey fizz. And we'll need to see the appetizer menu."
"Excellent choice. And might I say," Marcus turns that magazine-worthy smile directly on me, "you ladies picked the perfect day for a celebration. It's not often we get to host Iron Ridge royalty."
I blink at him. "I'm sorry, what?"
"Everyone in town knows about tonight's charity event." His grin widens, and I swear he just winked at me. "The whole town's talking about Ryder Scott's grand gesture for his lady."
His lady.Heat floods my cheeks as the three women across from me suddenly develop an intense interest in their phones, clearly trying not to laugh.
"I'm not his... we're not..." I stammer, but Marcus has already disappeared to fetch our drinks, leaving me to face the firing squad masquerading as my friends.
"Iron Ridge royalty," Lucy repeats with barely contained glee. "I like the sound of that."
"You're all terrible people," I mutter, sinking lower into the plush booth.
"We're terrible people who are about to make you look incredible tonight," Sophia corrects. "Which brings us to the matter at hand. What are you planning to wear?"
"I have a dress."
Three pairs of eyes narrow simultaneously.
"Definedress," Natalie says carefully.
"It's... black. And clean. And it fits."
The silence that follows is deafening.
