Chapter 12

Cheyenne

"So,what's the deal with you and Ivan?" Bailey asked me the next day as we rode to my photo shoot together. I'd picked her up on the way and we were currently sitting in midtown traffic.

"No deal," I said casually. "We're friends."

"There was more than friends happening last night."

I grinned. "Yeah, he's pretty irresistible. But seriously, I'm rarely in L.A., and when I am, he's got hockey and road trips and all that. Even if I were interested in getting serious, I don't know how we would manage."

"You're not interested in a gorgeous, sexy hockey player with money, looks, and a great personality?" She arched a brow. "I call foul."

"It's not that I'm not interested…" It was hard to explain my plan to people. Mostly because sometimes it didn't make sense when I said it out loud. "The thing is, I have this plan…" I explained about retiring at thirty. "And how do I tell a guy, especially a great guy, we need to put all our plans on hold until I retire from modeling. Is that even fair to him? In Ivan's case, friends with benefits sounds good in theory, but how do you not get attached to someone as gorgeous and sweet as he is?"

"You have this six-year plan or however long it is, and at that point, he'll be close to retirement too. You can be together while still focused on your careers and then settle down to make babies in six years. What's wrong with that?"

"Nothing's wrong with it, but I don't think things are ever that easy," I said quietly. "And honestly, as much as I like him, I don't really know him. Not yet." Despite the wonderful conversations we'd had the last couple of times I'd been with him, it was still early days for us.

"Well, that's why you've been spending time together, isn't it? I mean, if it's not just sex, and it doesn't appear to be, what else are you doing?"

She had a point, and I was suddenly a little confused and uncomfortable.

What was the point if we weren't heading for a relationship? We hadn't jumped into bed together, we'd already made plans to spend more time together, and we'd had a lot of fun together so far. If this wasn't heading for something more, why was I even bothering?

That was something I was going to have to think about.

"I don't know," I admitted. "I'm careful about relationships because I don't want to be in a position where I have to choose between a man and my career. In my experience, guys always say they're fine with it, but once things get serious, they're suddenly jealous and possessive. Or they accuse me of not caring. Or sleeping around, even though I would never cheat on someone. Frankly, I love my life and don't want to change anything until I'm ready to retire."

Bailey was thoughtful. "I have what may be an unpopular opinion, so you can tell me to mind my own business."

"Nah. I don't care," I said with a smile. "Tell me what you see, from the outside looking in."

"I think you're afraid. The best way to not get hurt is to keep your heart out of the equation. I'm sure looking like you do, there are men after you non-stop, and they all probably want something. Since it's impossible to know for sure what they're after, it's easier to keep things casual."

I wrinkled my nose. "Okay, who said you could dig into my psyche and head shrink me?"

She laughed. "I've been around the block a few times. I've also been where you are. I know what it's like to be used for who you are and what you can do for others, so I don't blame you for being cautious. But you can't help who you fall for, and if you meet someone wonderful, are you really going to just walk away because it doesn't fit in with your mental timeline?"

She had another excellent point.

One I hadn't really considered.

For whatever reason, I'd been relatively certain I wouldn't meet my soulmate, the man I would potentially spend the rest of my life with, in my early or mid-twenties. I didn't know if Ivan was that guy or not, but he wasn't like anyone else I'd gone out with either. Kind, gentle, and patient, while also strong, professional, and sexy as fuck. I knew he was as attracted to me as I was to him, yet he hadn't made a move beyond kissing me last night.

What did that mean?

"Ivan confuses me," I admitted. "I've never met anyone like him before. I want to jump his bones so bad, but I'm afraid it'll ruin our friendship. On the other hand, he hasn't made a move, and I like the fact that he's taking it slow."

"Doesn't that make you want to find out more?" she asked gently. "To find out who he is and who he could be in your life?"

"I do," I admitted, "but what if the sex is so good I can't think straight and do all the dumb shit just so I can keep getting laid?"

Our eyes met and there was a beat of awkward silence before we both dissolved into laughter.

"You have it bad," she said, giggling. "And yes, my gut tells me Mr. Rochenko will be memorable between the sheets."

"When he kissed me last night, it was so sensual, and we didn't even use tongue. I was so worked up when I got back to my hotel room…"

"Have you thought of talking to him about these things?"

"I mean, not about the sex stuff, but about our disparate lifestyles and travel schedules. Our solution was to spend some time together and see what happens."

"What's wrong with that?"

"Nothing. But we started this conversation with you asking me what the deal was… and even after everything we just discussed, the answer is the same: I don't know."

"Well, if you want more of my unsolicited advice, I think you need to find out."

* * *

My photo shoot took forever.I'd hoped we might finish early but there were delays. They wanted to shoot outdoors, and the lighting was wrong, forcing us to wait and wait some more. Bailey stayed as long as she could before finally leaving, and I watched the game on my phone whenever I had a break. Most of the evening was spent waiting for something. Lighting. Makeup. Wardrobe change. Another wardrobe change.

Normally, I took this kind of thing in stride.

Today, I was annoyed.

I wanted to be in New Jersey watching Ivan play, spending time with Bailey, and learning more about hockey.

By the time I got out of there, it was almost ten and I was starving.

It was too late to head to the hockey game, so I was trying to decide where I could get something to eat when Stevie sent me a text.

STEVIE: Hey, where are you? Want to get a drink?

CHEY: Where are you? And where were you last night?

STEVIE: Damien had a work thing, so we went to that instead. I'm trying to get to know his co-workers and a little about his world, you know? It's not all about me.

That would have been a mature, thoughtful thing to say if the world in question wasn't Damien's. She wasn't ready to hear that, though, so I kept my negativity to myself.

CHEY: I just got done for the day and I'm hungry. Want to meet up at Rocky's Diner? They have good soup.

STEVIE: Sure. I'll see you there in twenty?

CHEY: If you get there first, order me the French Onion soup. I've been craving it all day.

STEVIE: Will do!

I disconnected and took a minute to send Ivan a text, even though he might not have his phone yet.

CHEY: Sorry I didn't get to the game. My day was a shit show. If you're not too tired, text me. I'm just heading out to meet Stevie at a place called Rocky's Diner for the world's best soup. Then I'm probably going to bed. Let me know what your plans are for tomorrow.

I told my driver where to take me and leaned back in the seat, closing my eyes.

I was tired.

Hungry.

Horny.

I almost smiled just thinking about the way Ivan had kissed me last night.

Like we had all the time in the world.

As if it were a foregone conclusion that there would be another occasion to pick up where we left off.

And he was right.

I wanted to spend more time with him. Quality time. Sex was an option, but that wasn't the only thing I wanted. It had been a long time since a man made me feel safe, like he cared about more than my body. And I liked how it felt when we were together, no matter how many times I told myself we had no future, based on my retirement plan.

Maybe I was overthinking everything, letting my future plans derail my present.

There was no reason I couldn't enjoy the company of an attractive, sexy, Russian hockey player that made my heart beat a little faster.

If that was what he wanted too?

No pressure, no promises.

And if it turned into something, we'd address it then.

In the meantime, it seemed like there was an attraction we couldn't deny.

I needed to talk to him about this, but I didn't know his plans for tomorrow and I was leaving Sunday. If we were going to talk in person, it needed to be soon.

I got to the diner and spotted Stevie just in time to realize she wasn't alone.

Son of a bitch.

Damien and Jim were with her.

I was truly going to strangle her one of these days.

I'd figured there was a good chance Damien would be with her, but Jim too? This was getting old. I'd thought Ivan and I had made it clear we were involved. I hadn't told Stevie that we'd been faking it so Damien would leave me alone, so why would she still be pushing this so hard?

"Hey, there!" Stevie waved. "I ordered your soup."

"Hey, Cheyenne." Jim got up and pulled out the empty chair for me.

"Thanks." I sank down without acknowledging Damien. "I thought it was just going to be us."

"Oh. Uh, I'm sorry." Stevie dipped her head, Jim looked embarrassed, and Damien gave me an exasperated look.

"What is it with you? Do you hate men or something?" he demanded.

"No. But I've never understood women who get into relationships and then can't blow their nose without their boyfriend's permission."

Jim chuckled under his breath, but Damien didn't appear amused and Stevie's hazel eyes were filled with hurt.

"That was mean," Stevie whispered, meeting my gaze with a sad one of her own.

I sighed.

Stevie could be sensitive sometimes, and I'd probably just hurt her feelings, but mine were a little hurt too. At some point, I was going to ask her why she and Damien were intent on getting me together with Jim, but it wouldn't be tonight. "I'm sorry, but it's been a long day and I just wanted to get something to eat before I meet up with Ivan." I made sure to emphasize the last part.

"I just thought it would be good for you and Jim to get to know each other since you'll be spending a lot of time together wedding planning." Damien met my gaze with a direct look that felt almost like a challenge.

What the hell kind of game was he playing?

I didn't know, but maybe I was going to have to stay away from Stevie for a while. Damien made me uncomfortable, and frankly, so did she at this point. A good friend would have given me a head's up, and I didn't like being put on the spot by someone I was supposed to trust. I'd planned to talk to her about all of this, but now my gut was telling me to put a little distance between us. If nothing else, maybe that would show her that her behavior was unacceptable.

I arched a brow. "Wedding planning? What does that mean? Aren't you going to hire a wedding planner?"

Stevie nodded. "Yes, but… I thought you'd want to help me with… you know, all of it. You have such good taste."

"Wouldn't Damien be the one to help you with all the details?" I countered, my mouth watering when the waitress put down my bowl of soup.

"Of course," he interjected, "but as the maid of honor and best man, the two of you will have lots of input. And you'll have to work together to plan our Jack and Jill bachelor party."

I nearly choked on my soup.

Jack and Jill bachelor party?

That sounded like no fun at all.

"You're doing it together?" I asked, peering at Stevie over my soup.

She looked away, and Damien responded for her. "Of course we are. I wouldn't go to a strip club or anything without my fiancée. And I wouldn't expect her to either."

That was fair, but there was a lot of room between strip clubs and having a joint party. Women tended to enjoy spa days and shopping and good food, while men tended to want to do things like golf or sporting events and such. Those things were stereotypes, but I knew it was accurate in Stevie's case.

"Well, whatever you want," I said after a moment. "Just give me lots of warning because you know how crazy my schedule is."

"That's why I thought you and Jim could spend some time together now," Damien said sarcastically. "Because, you know, you're in the same place at the same time."

God, just listening to his voice was giving me a headache.

"Yes, but I've just worked a twelve-hour day," I said patiently, though that was a bit of an exaggeration, "and I have plans with my boyfriend. Stevie and I were just going to meet up for a bowl of soup and then I'm—" I froze at the sight at the door: Four massive hockey players wearing suits.

I couldn't be sure, but I might have just fallen a little in love with Ivan.