Part 7 (1/2)
Rachel tapped at her phone and swiped, and her eyes moved over the small screen. ”Holy s.h.i.+t,” she breathed. ”Six million dollars a year? And yeah, a signing bonus of seven million? That's insane!”
Wow, that was a lot. ”Pro athletes make crazy money.”
”Jesus. Well, no wonder they can have the wedding of their dreams.”
”The thing is, Marc and Lovey aren't going over the top. I kind of admire that.” During the last week she and Lovey had gotten a lot done, since Marc and the rest of the Aces were away on trips to Denver and Boston.
”I hope you're charging a lot.”
”I'm not going to gouge them because they're rich!”
Rachel grinned. ”I wasn't suggesting that. I just mean, I hope you're getting paid what you deserve for all that you do. Have you seen Tanner again?”
”Yeah. At Lovey and Marc's place the other night. It was awkward. We talked a bit.”
”Ugh.”
”I know, right? Why does he have to be one of the groomsmen?” She sighed. ”But it is what it is. I just have to deal with it.”
Rachel bent her head to her phone again, typing something new on it. ”Well. That eight hundred thousand was nothing compared to what Tanner makes now.”
Katelyn eyes popped wide. ”Don't even tell me.” She held up a hand. ”Seriously.” It was none of her business how much Tanner was earning now.
Rachel frowned. ”Wait, what's this?” Her eyes moved over the screen, a faint crease between her eyebrows.
”What?”
”I'm just reading this article...'Despite leading the Pacific Division all season with strong defensive play, outstanding goaltending, and stellar power play, the Anaheim Ducks still need another top-four defenseman. Ducks' general manager, Stan Lennox, is apparently interested in Chicago Aces D-man Tanner Bennet-the best blueliner who could be available before the February twenty-seventh trade deadline.'” Rachel looked up from her phone and wrinkled her nose. ”Can they just take him? Why is he available?”
”I don't know.” Katelyn frowned. ”I don't know anything about trades or how they work. I don't want to know anything about them.”
Rachel kept reading. ”'Other GMs think Bennet could be available before the trade deadline. They doubt the Aces can afford to re-sign both him and promising blueliner Hugh Land.'”
Katelyn blinked. ”Eep. I met Hugh the other night.”
”'Bennet is earning three million in actual salary this season. There is talk he could seek over five million annually on an eight-year deal. SportsWatch's Joe Chambers thinks the Pittsburgh Penguins could make a pitch for Bennet if blueliner Pierre Lafontaine remains sidelined.'”
Katelyn processed that. ”Sounds like other teams want him.”
”Yeah. Not sure what that means.” Rachel set her phone aside. ”So is he as gorgeous as he was in college?”
Katelyn sighed. ”Even more.”
”Wow.”
”He's also kind of a jerk.”
”Really? Well, he always was a bit c.o.c.ky. And come on, you broke the poor man's heart.”
”He's the one who left. I was the one with the broken heart.”
”Katelyn. Seriously. Is that how you remember it?”
”It's the truth.”
”He had to leave.”
”I know.” She sighed. ”I don't blame him. Except I do. Because I couldn't leave.”
”You would never have expected him to stay. To give up his hockey career.”
”Of course not. I don't know what I expected. Maybe for him to fight harder for us instead of just walking away.”
Rachel c.o.c.ked her head. ”Maybe he thinks the same.”
Katelyn shook her head. ”I doubt it. He's over me. He married someone else, even though they're divorced now. He doesn't like seeing me, though. I can tell that.” One corner of her mouth twisted up. ”It makes it a little awkward. Lovey and Marc are so nice and their friends are fun.”
”It's just a job, though. You have to do your job, get through the wedding, and you'll never have to see him again.”
Ouch. Katelyn bent her head and tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. Why did that sting? She didn't want to see Tanner. She'd be glad when this was all done.
Their salads arrived and they picked up their forks to dig in.
”We should go to a game,” Rachel said.
”A hockey game? No way.”
”Come on. Why not?”
”I don't want anything to do with hockey.”
”Wouldn't it impress your clients if you did that, though? To show you're interested in their lives.”
”No. I don't have to be interested in their lives.” That was a lie. She always had to be interested in her clients' lives, knowing their likes and dislikes, their pa.s.sions and pastimes-that way she could make their event as personal for them as it could be.
”You're so stubborn.”
”I know.” She smiled.
”Do they have any other hot single friends?” Rachel asked. ”For you, I mean. Not me.”
Katelyn laughed. ”Well, Hugh was flirting with me. Apparently he's single. But no way am I going out with a hockey player. No way am I going out with anyone. I'm a menace to men everywhere.”
Rachel burst out laughing. ”Oh my G.o.d.”
”I am! Look what happened with Daniel, Parker, and Ethan. I led them right to the altar, then ditched them and broke their hearts.”
Rachel winced. ”Yeah, I know. But better that you realize you didn't love them before you get married than after. They just weren't the right guys for you. You'll find the right guy.”