Page 11 of Center Ice

She smiled. “I will, thanks.”

So that was her job. I wondered what else the two leaders had assigned out as Chloe and Sydney turned together and started whispering. Maggie moved forward to my side.

“That wasn’t so bad,” she said under her breath.

“It’s not over,” I replied while looking over my shoulder.

“Do you have a catalog or anything we can look at to choose the cake?” Two of the women stood together, one with dark brown hair that was to her waist and the other with honey-colored hair and a sweet smile.

“Of course.” Maggie pulled it out of her folder and offered it to them.

They flipped through a few pages before they both squealed. “This is it.” The second woman held the picture up for us. It was a simple, two-tier cake with a golden piece of coral and blue watercolor on the bottom that looked like abstract waves. It was simple and elegant. Understated, just like the bride.

“Good choice.” I added a note to remind myself to let Robbie know.

“Is there anything else that needs to be decided?” Chloe approached us.

Maggie opened her folder and scanned the checklist. “We’ve already got the food and flowers ordered.” She paused. “Did you make a decision about a rehearsal dinner?”

Chloe nodded. “We’re not going to do anything formal. Just a dinner with everyone that’s here for the wedding. Since there aren’t any bridesmaids or groomsmen, we didn’t think a rehearsal was necessary.”

That was a relief. Those could be more stressful than the actual wedding day.

“Everything else has been ordered. I think we’re set unless you have questions,” Maggie offered.

“I think we’re good for now.” Chloe smiled.

“I do have one thing I need to ask,” I started. “How do the bride and groom feel about photographers and press?”

“I’ve got an approved list. I’ll send that over to you,” Chloe confirmed.

Good. This wasn’t a surprise to them, and I was relieved they were okay with it. That made my job a lot easier.

“Thanks for all you guys have done.” She sighed. “You’ve made this so easy for us.”

“Of course,” I replied. “It helps when you have the most relaxed bride I’ve ever worked with.”

Chloe laughed. “I’m pretty sure this wedding is more for us than her. We’re a really tight-knit group, and she and her fiancé are moving next month, so this is our last big event together.”

I knew from my research that the groom was being traded to a new team.

“Then we’ll make sure it’s one to remember,” I promised.

She thanked us again before turning and herding the women away.

“Wouldn’t that be nice?” Maggie asked while watching them leave.

“What? Having someone else plan your wedding?” I asked.

“No, having a group of friends like that.”

“Yeah, it would.” They acted more like a mismatched family than just friends or the wives of teammates. I’d never had a group of friends like that, and part of me did envy how smoothly they worked with one another. How they seemed to know what the rest was thinking. It was special, and I hoped they recognized how lucky they were.

Living and working at a resort didn’t allow for that. My closest friend was Maggie, but she was gone during the school year when things slowed down. I was acquaintances with some of the other staff members here, but since I wasn’t really a member of their team or department, I was always an outsider.

I’d been in Mexico for three years, but it never felt like home. It was a stepping stone toward where I wanted to be next, and if this wedding went right, that place could be a whole lot closer than ever before.

“I’ll put the notes I took into the system and let Robbie know about the cake order. Is there anything else you need me to do?” Maggie’s voice pulled me from my thoughts.