Vegas Girl: Lady Sinners Series, #2

Chapter One

Saturday, September 22

I can’t bend over to put my shoes on!

On it. Melody Hanson swept the long, yellow skirt of her bridesmaid’s dress out of the way and knelt before her best friend Miranda to slide the crystal-encrusted Louboutin heels on her feet. Having practically grown up as sisters, it wasn't the first time Mel had helped Miranda get dressed. Today, it was an honor. There. Perfect. Stand up for last looks? Melody straightened and helped up the bride, who scooted in front of the full-length mirror. And then burst into tears.

Miranda sniffle-sobbed, and Melody snatched the box of tissues from the bedside table then carefully dabbed Miranda’s face. Oh, heeey. It’s okay. You look amazing. Ben’s totally going to lose it. You know, as much as he can lose it. His eye might twitch.

That made Miranda laugh. He’s more sensitive than he lets anyone see. Except me.

And he is the luckiest man in the world to have found you.

Sto-op! I’ll never quit crying, she said with a giggle-hiccup. Then the near-constant sunshine on her face clouded over. No, I’m not nervous about getting married. I love Ben. I’ve never been more sure of anything in my life. It’s just … It’s so nice of Ben’s dad to walk me down the aisle, and I’m so grateful, but…

She didn’t need to complete that sentence. Melody took her hand and squeezed hard, swallowing the lump in her own throat. "Of all the things your dad’s missed out on, I promise you this one will haunt him for the rest of his life. And it’s his loss, Mir. I know it still hurts, and it’s not fair. If anyone deserves to have the perfect day, it’s you."

Miranda’s eyes welled up again. I love you.

A few tears slid over Melody’s cheeks, and she took a deep breath and hugged her friend. Girl, you have no idea. Ben will have to share you. He knows that, right?

Oh yeah. The smile was back in Miranda’s voice. He’s quite aware we’re a package deal.

Hearing that felt good even though Mel knew it wasn’t one hundred percent true. Things would change. Miranda had already moved out of the apartment they’d shared. They’d see each other at hockey and dance practice, but how much outside of that? Melody squared her shoulders and grabbed the face powder off the vanity, dusting a little more on each of them to erase every trace of sadness. There was no room for it today. Okay, we’re fixed.

The wedding planner poked her head in the room. We’ve sent down the flower girl. Melody, you’re up first, then Collette, Violet, the rest of the Lady Sinners, and finally our bride.

Showtime! Melody winked at Miranda then grabbed her bouquet of yellow roses and white daisies from the vanity stool and hustled out the door. As she rounded the corner and started down the aisle of the Primrose Courtyard, her heartbeat picked up. Playing hockey and dancing half-naked at NHL games never fazed her. Having all of Miranda and Ben’s friends and family stare at her as she walked at a snail’s pace in a pageant gown made her mouth go dry and her heart try to shuffle off to Buffalo. She tried to focus on the altar, but her gaze hit Miranda’s brother Spencer standing with the other groomsmen. He looked insanely gorgeous in his tux but still had that boyish, spikey, sandy blond hair that hadn’t changed in the last thirteen years, and she almost tripped. Just the slightest wobble thanks to her preternatural balance, and she kept going but couldn’t look away from him. Especially not when he stared back at her with those piercing ice blue eyes and the smile that’d haunted her dreams for so long.

When she got to the head of the aisle, she took her spot off to the side and watched the other maids walk down. Ben’s sister-in-law Collette came first, a really sweet and funny woman, with a French accent so thick you only knew what she was saying half the time. And then Violet, who’d toned herself down as much as that was possible. One of the defensemen for the Lady Sinners, Vi took the personality seriously, and it followed her off-ice. She looked like Warrior Princess Barbie, carrying her dainty bouquet like she carried a hockey stick—as if she were prepared to hit someone with it if needed. The elegant strapless gown still displayed the tattoos over her arms and shoulders. She’d taken out the stud in her nose and agreed to let the makeup artist give her a natural look instead of the heavily lined eyes with slate shadow and dark red lip she usually favored. Under the inky armor, Vi had a good heart. She just didn’t let many people see it. The rest of the Lady Sinners followed, and it felt right all being there together to support their captain and friend.

Then Miranda appeared, perfect from head to toe and beaming like the ray of sun she always was, arm in arm with Ben’s father. Melody had been with her moments before and had helped her get dressed, but there was something about seeing her best friend literally walking into a new life that she so greatly deserved that hit Mel deep. Tears welled up, and the urge to blubber was strong, but she tamped it down. She wasn’t the blubbering type, and if she started, no way would Miranda hold it together.

Melody glanced at Ben, the groom, and her jaw dropped. He was crying. And not subtly. His face was raining. The grumbly bear who never so much as smiled was helpless and raw in the presence of his bride, and that was the thing that did it. Melody’s own tears fell, watering her bouquet. Surely she wasn’t the only maid of honor to be overcome with emotion, but it was still embarrassing. No one saw her cry if she could help it. The thing that made her stop? When she glanced across the aisle, Spencer was watching her with a deep, soulful stare and a small smile. If anyone understood how she felt, it was him, though aside from a tightness to his jaw, he was holding it together. He’d been the rock of the Evans household after his and Miranda’s father had left. He was used to taking care of everyone, being the dependable one. He’d been that for her, too, as she’d practically lived at their house growing up.

When Mr. Collier Sr. gave Miranda’s hand to Ben, the music cut, and the ceremony began. Melody tried to pay attention, to catch every word and live in the moment of her best friend getting married, but so many memories and emotions swirled inside that it was hard to stay present. Clear as day, she saw herself and middle school Miranda in the front yard, practicing dance routines and cheers. Fast forward a couple years, and they were bursting into the house on a Friday afternoon, excited to re-create the giant cookie they’d made in home ec , to watch the TGIF lineup of TV, and otherwise spend every second together until forced to part ways for homeroom on Monday. In fact, that could describe most of their weekends. Another few years into the future and they were hired on to the Las Vegas Sinners dance team together, then creating their own hockey team from nothing, sharing an apartment, and living the dream. But it was all about to change, slipping away like the desert sand while the officiant pronounced Ben and Miranda husband and wife.

Everyone cheered and clapped. Melody smiled as big as she could, the tears returning with a vengeance. Happiness welled inside. There was a little sadness, too, but hopefully her best friend couldn’t see it. The bride and groom walked down the aisle, Ben with a little limp. It was amazing that he’d not only recovered feeling in his legs after a hockey accident but was a rehab warrior and walked without his cane. Give him another year, and he’d probably be skating.

Colette hustled around so she could go down the aisle with her husband, Ben’s brother. And then Spencer stepped forward and offered Melody his arm. She accepted it a little stiffly. They’d always been family, but somewhere in their teenage years, there’d been an element of awareness and attraction. Harmless and subtle flirting until that one New Year’s Eve. They’d kissed at midnight, and not just a polite peck. That’s how it’d started out, but a dormant ember had sparked to life and caught fire. The memory flared in her mind, the way the kiss had become deep and sweet and a little wild until his mother had walked by, breaking the spell. They’d never spoken of it again, but the glimmer in his eyes said that he hadn’t forgotten either. It was silly to feel awkward around him. They were both adults now. But something about him teleported her right back to fifteen.

The reception was also at the Wynn hotel, so no one had far to go. After taking pictures during cocktail hour, the bridal party made their way to the ballroom. It was decorated in white and shades of vibrant yellow. Miranda to a tee. The DJ went through all of the classic wedding rituals, including the bouquet toss. A good head taller than the other women in attendance, Violet had jumped up and spiked the bouquet to Melody as if it were a volleyball. The flowers had landed in Mel’s hands before she could even process what happened. She’d laughed though the rest of the ladies didn’t look particularly amused.

Settled once more in her seat, Melody had the perfect view as Miranda and Ben had their first dance. They floated around the floor, perfectly in sync, and it wasn’t by accident. Mel smiled. Miranda had spent weeks teaching Ben to dance. There’d been complaining and the usual grumbling, but it’d paid off. Aside from a slight tremor in his legs, he’d perfected the waltz, though he looked a little relieved to sit once the song ended.

All right, now I’d like to welcome the bridal party to the floor.

Mel’s pulse picked up. Why hadn’t she seen that coming? Spencer stood and held out his hand with an elegant flourish and a playful grin. Saying no wasn’t really an option. It wasn’t that she didn’t want to dance with him, but dancing would make her want other things. Things he obviously didn’t want, seeing as he’d never made another move in ten years.

She slid her hand into his and followed him to the dance floor, where he swept her close in suspiciously good ballroom posture. She arched a brow.

He laughed. What? You think I didn’t pick up a few things, growing up with you and Miranda?

A surprised and impressed smile curled her lips. I didn’t know you were paying attention.

A trace of seriousness shaded his eyes, and his smile mellowed in a way that warmed her inside. How could I not?

Okay, that definitely felt like flirting. He’d said similar things before the kiss but it’d been in a teasing way. Like, Maybe I mean it, maybe I don’t. This time felt different.

He cleared his throat and spun her out only to twirl her back in without losing a step, and then the light bulb went on. She smirked and broke hold just to poke his chest. Your sister did this. She made you learn how to dance for her wedding.

"You think she could make me?"

Mel cocked her head ensuring the doubt and sarcasm in her gaze were in full effect.

Okay, fine. You know I’d do anything for her. And damn if that didn’t score him even more points.

You’re a good brother.

And you're the best sister Miranda could have ever asked for. Thank you for always being there for her. Especially when I couldn’t.

Did he see her as a another sister? She gave him a side smile and shrugged. Miranda was there for me, too. Don’t know what I would have done without her. Or you. She’d never known her father. Her own mother had had a few boyfriends over the years, but none of them had lasted long enough to be a male influence decent or otherwise. Spencer had shown her what a good man was supposed to be even while he was still a boy, not that she’d ever told him that.

You think he’ll treat her well? Spencer nodded toward the newlyweds.

I do, actually. Look at the way he looks at her.

They glanced over in time to catch Ben staring into Miranda’s eyes like she was the Holy Grail to life. Melody smiled. I hope someone looks at me like that one day.

Spencer’s gaze returned to her, and his lips parted, but the song ended.

The DJ’s voice broke in. Very nice. Now I’d like to welcome everyone up to bust those moves! Dinner will be served shortly.

A crush of people flooded the floor as a fast-paced jam came on, and talking was no longer an option. Just as well. If she was ever going to get over her crush on the boy next door, it wasn’t going to happen while they were slow dancing. She let the music take over, and it covered her like the balm it’d always been, smoothing out her rough edges and filling her with confidence. She could get through the rest of the night with a little space, and then Spencer would be back in the rink at UNLV coaching the Aces and she’d be on her own ice, and they could avoid the complicated tangle of what they were to each other at least until the holidays.

Chapter Two

Monday, September 24

The air smelled like an oxy moronic blend of sweat and fresh, clean glacier. The only sound was the quiet scrape of his skates on the snowy ice as he ran the same drills he’d put his players through minutes earlier. Right after practice was Spencer Evans’ favorite time of day. Sweet solace. Nothing but him, the zen space of the rink … and memories of Melody in that yellow dress. He missed a shot that he should have nailed in his sleep, the vulcanized rubber pinging off the goal post, the sound echoing into the rafters.

He’d known for months Melody would be in the wedding, had theoretically been prepared for it. But when she walked down the aisle, it’d hit him like a Mack truck. She’d always been pretty, but he hadn’t let himself think about her that way. Much. She was his baby sister’s best friend, and Miranda had needed every good influence she could get when they were growing up. After their dad split, their mom had to work full-time. Spencer had done everything he could to give