Chapter Eighteen

She was so nervous. She’d never been to an event of any kind with Sidney and now he was going to spring her on everyone at an NHL cocktail party and in New York City, no less.  Yes, it was informal, but she couldn’t get the butterflies out of her stomach. She’d taken an extra long time getting ready, fussing endlessly with her unruly waves.  She wore very little makeup ordinarily, but tonight she put a little extra effort into her eyes. They were slightly smoky, but not over the top. Her dress was new, purchased specifically with this party in mind.  She knew she’d be nervous so she wanted to be comfortable, but she also wanted to make a good impression for Sidney. It was a black, sleeveless A-line dress with a beaded hem that hit her just at the knee.  It had a scoop-neck, front and back. It was simple and elegant. She wore strappy black heels with it.  She had a long black and white print silk coat to wear over it.  She looked herself over in the hotel mirror before adding semi-long silver drop earrings before joining Sidney in the outer room of the suite.

He was waiting for her on the couch. He wore a beautiful grey pin-stripe suit with a white shirt. The neck of his shirt was open as he had decided against a tie and Payton could just catch a glimpse of his gold 87 hiding beneath the cotton.  She took a deep breath as much to take in his beauty as to settle her nerves. She noticed him holding a thin box in his hands. 

“You look amazing,” he said, taking her hand.  He kissed it lightly and placed the box in her hand.

“What’s this?”

“Just a little something,” he said with a grin.

She popped open the box.  Nestled against the velvet was a delicate, silver necklace with an incredible snowflake of diamonds at the end of it.  Next to the pendant lie matching earrings.

“Oh, Sidney,” she gasped. They were absolutely the most beautiful things she’d ever seen. She threw her arms around his neck in delight. 

He took the necklace from the box and fastened it around her neck.  She grazed her fingers across it gently, then she quickly removed her other earrings in favor of her new ones.  She glanced in the mirror.

“They’re just beautiful.”

Sidney appeared in the reflection behind her.  “They pale in comparison to you,” he said brushing the hair from her shoulders and kissing her neck.

Now they were entering the ballroom and she would soon be face to face with more of the NHL brass and players than she could imagine.  The Palm Court at the Plaza was spectacular.  There were huge columns and archways and the stain-glassed lay light in the ceiling took her breath away. As its name suggested, the Palm Court boasted many, many palm trees and all different kinds. The effect was like an enchanted castle on an island somewhere in the Caribbean.  Payton was so taken with the beauty of the room, that she nearly missed Max bounding over to greet them. 

“Wow, look at you!”  he exclaimed, kissing her cheek and shaking Sid’s hand. Payton grinned at him.  She just loved Max. He was her favorite of all Sid’s teammates and friends. He was always happy and silly and quick to make a joke. He always made her feel comfortable right away. 

“How’s my pup doing?” he asked, standing back and taking her in.

“He’s great. He’s twice as big as he was last time you saw him.”

“Well, I may have to stop by for a visit,” he said slyly, glancing at Payton’s long legs.

“Not a chance,” answered Sid ginning, sliding his arm around Payton’s waist.

“I’m wounded.  Don’t you trust me?” said Max feigning injury.

“Not in the least little bit,” said Sid and they both laughed.

Sid introduced her to several people. Things were going well. Everyone was very nice, though she did feel scrutinized.  Sidney Crosby’s new girlfriend was a novelty and people went out of their way to speak to her.  She got a few sideways glances from some of the women, but for the most part, everyone was very friendly.  She and Sid sat down at a table finally and she was happy to give her feet a rest. Her new heels were taller than she usually wore and she welcomed the chance to get off of them.   Sid excused himself to get them something to drink from the bar.  She sighed contented and flipped her hair off her shoulder.

Suddenly, someone sat down next to her.

“Hey, it is Payton the photographer!”

“Hey, it’s Alex the hockey star,” she smiled.  He was dressed in a dark blue suit and a purple shirt.  He also wore a big smile.

“Oh, tell me you left your boyfriend at home, tonight,” he said leaning in closer to her.

 “No,” she blushed, flattered by his attention.

“If I was your boyfriend, I would not leave you alone, especially when you look like that.  Any Neanderthal could pester you. And trust me there are many of them here.  This,” he said touching her snowflake charm with his large index finger, “is beautiful.” 

“He gave me that tonight,” she said backing away from him slightly, but still smiling. “He will be right back.  You look good in a suit, Alex.”  She watched him puff out his chest a little at the compliment. 

“You should ditch boyfriend and have drink with me,” he suggested.  Payton became aware of someone standing just behind her.  Alex looked up, the smile on his face turning sour.  Then his expression transformed again to shocked disbelief.

“Crosby,” he addressed Sid with such venom, Payton became nervous.

“Ovechkin,” Sid retorted.

Alex scowled at her in disgust, “You did not say Crosby was your boyfriend.”

“I didn’t realize it m-mattered,” Payton responded, stumbling over her words.

Alex rose quickly from the chair and stalked away.

Payton stared after him in shock and then up at Sidney.

“What the hell was that?”

“He doesn’t like me much.”  That’s all he would say. She scowled at Sidney and glanced off in Alex’s direction again.  But he had disappeared into the crowd.