~Renee's P.O.V. ~
The last few weeks had flown by. The firm had really picked up ever since she had landed the Pittsburgh Penguins account. On top of business booming, I had been enjoying helping plan Evgeni and Annlie's wedding. It was fun to be a part of something that brought two people such joy and happiness, especially since I knew it was something I would most likely never experience. The smile I wore every day acted more as a mask to hide my hurt and pain, rather than show my true emotions. I had been hiding behind it for so long, I wasn't sure I could even feel happiness anymore. The truth was, I hadn't been the same in a long time. Watching my father's health decrease rapidly left me emotionally scarred for what I figured would be all of eternity. However, I had come to peace with it, I kind of liked being alone. I didn't have any more drama of bringing guys home to meet my parents, if I was feeling particularly horny one night, I'd call up an old friend and bam, problem solved. It was my way of life. Although, I had to admit, watching Evgeni and Annlie together made my heart ache, secretly I longed to have a relationship like theirs. One where there were no worries of what tomorrow would bring, their only care in the world being their love for one another. I couldn't help but think 'what if' and about who I would be today if my dad were still alive.

My thoughts were interrupted by a faint knock at the door, "Hello, come in," I replied looking up from her desk of paper work.

"Hey Renee," said Annlie as she sat in the chair opposite me.

:Hey, what's up girl?" I asked directing all of my attention to my co-worker.

"I'm freaking out, the wedding is only a few weeks away and I have no idea who is going to be in my wedding party or what they are going to wear. I mean, I have my dress, but I don't know who to have stand with me."

"Well, do you have any one back home you could ask?"

"Evgeni was my best friend, and then my brother, but he passed away," she said looking down at her lap.

"Oh, Ann I'm sorry. I didn't know that."

"It's alright, I have come to terms with it and accepted it. He is in a better place now and I know he is with me every day. But anyways, that got me thinking. I know that you are going to be catering the wedding and super busy..."

Oh crap. I thought to myself.

"..but you'll be there and so I was hoping if it wouldn't be too much trouble if you would be my maid of honor. You have helped make me feel right at home here and given me some stability and I would be honored to have you a part of my special day. Especially since you are helping plan it and all."

"I, uh," I stuttered, "Sure. I would love to."

"Really?!" Annlie exclaimed.

"Yes," she said.

Squealing Annlie got up and said, "After work we'll go downtown to look for dresses and get fitted. Evgeni has all of his groomsmen being fitted at 6, we'll see what we can find for you. Thank you so much Renee."

"You're welcome, anytime."

As I watched Annlie rush out of the room I felt my stomach drop. I wanted to do this because it would make Ann so happy, but at the same time it made my heart ache so much more. It wasn't Annlie's fault, she had no idea about my past and I liked it that way. I liked knowing that it was all a secret, but it would still be nice to have at least one person know the real me. Sighing I began on my paperwork and waited for six o'clock to roll around.

Annlie's P.O.V.

Where is she? I thought to myself, she was right behind me when we left the office. It was quarter past six and Renee still hadn't shown up. Maybe I was putting too much pressure on her, after all she had helped me plan my entire wedding thus far and to ask her to be in it too, along with running her own business. I hope I'm not pushing her over the edge. Maybe I should tell her to forget it. As if reading my thoughts, in strolled Renee, looking as casual as ever.

"Ah, you made it. I'm so excited. I will introduce you to the rest of the wedding party," she said ushering Renee around the corner.

"Gentlemen, this is my dear friend Renee," I said to a group of men standing in front of full length mirrors adjusting ties and neck lines.

The first to speak up was Sidney, "Nice to meet you Renee," he said extending his hand to hers.

"Nice to meet you too," she replied.

The next to introduce himself was Sergei Gonchar, Evgeni's best man, then Jordan Staal and Max Talbot. Last to introduce himself was defenceman Kris Letang. He was known as the shy guy of the group, but I had never seen him look so nervous before as he made his way towards Renee to shake her hand.

I sensed this was a bit unusual for him, but quickly pushed the thought out of my mind, I had far more things to worry about. Grabbing hold of Renee's arm I ushered her to the next room.

"Okay, so the color I am going with is a wine color, like a very dark purple,"I said as we exited, leaving the men to their fittings.

~Kris's P.O.V.~

I had seen her hanging around the arena lately, but had no idea this was the woman I would be walking down the isle at Evgeni's wedding. It was bad enough that I lost focus every time she came near the glass at practice, now I was going to have to chauffeur her down the isle and not fall on my face. This was ridiculous. I wasn't sure what drew me to Renee, maybe it was the captivating brown eyes of hers or the poise and confidence that she possessed as she stood next to Annlie and looked at dresses.

"Hello, Kris," Max's voice sliced through his thoughts.

"Hmm, sorry what," I said stuttering.

"We were discussing where we're going to take Geno for his bachelor party, any input?"

"Uhh, what are the options we have right now again?"

"Dude, have you heard anything we've said?" Sid asked smiling.

"Nah, he's been fixated on Renee ever since she walked in," Max pointed out as he tossed his head in her direction.

"No I haven't," I said, "I was just thinking about the perfect place to host this thing, I was seeing it all play out in my head and missed what your ideas were." I covered.

"Right, sure," they all teased.

"So let's hear this master plan of yours then," Max urged crossing his arms looking at me intently.

"Well, I was thinking after our game we'd take him to the bar, our normal game night routine. This way he wouldn't have any idea we were throwing him a party."

"Go on," Sergei said listening in.

"We'll book the whole place so that it's just us, we will have to be the last guys out of the locker room so the rest of the team can meet us there. We'll hire a couple strippers and that's as far as I got before you interrupted me."

"Alright, I can agree to this, anytime there are strippers involved I can dig it," Max replied putting his arm around my neck. I was relieved they had bought it.

"Sounds good, so who wants to make the reservation?" Jordan asked as he looked around the room.

"I'll do it since I'm the best at organizing things," Sid spoke up, "And I can talk to the rest of the team to let them know of our plans. I'll take care of it."

"Alright then it's settled, after our game against Tampa Bay we'll go to Tailgaters and have the time of our lives." Max stated.

Sighing relief I took one last look at Renee before leaving Modern Tux.

~Renee's P.O.V~

As I slipped into the dark purple dress and looked at my reflection in the full length mirror I was amazed. I had to admit that Annlie had chosen the perfect color for my complexion. Not only was the color perfect but the style of the dress showed all of my best attributes, hugging my curves in all the right places and giving my boobs an extra boost, not that they needed any extra attention. Doing a once over I was impressed with what I saw, for once I didn't think I looked half bad, this dress gave me confidence, something I lacked on most days. The last time I recalled feeling this confident was when I let my little sister give me a makeover for some sisterly bonding.

Stepping out from behind the curtains I modeled the dress for Annlie.

"This is absolutely stunning on you," she squealed coming over to admire me from every angle.

"Do you like it?" she asked looking at me.

"Honestly Ann, I couldn't have done better myself," I said smiling at the bride to be.

"Then it's settled, this is your dress. Hands down."

"Are there any alterations you would like done miss?" the seamstress asked.

"I don't believe so, I think it fits pretty well everywhere, don't you Ann?"

"I do, it's just stunning how perfect this is for you." she said.

"Alright then," the seamstress said smiling, "I'll grab a bag and you and take it home today."

Squealing with excitement Annlie turned and said, "Thank you again Renee. I can't even begin to tell you how much this means to me, and I know you will leave a certain defense-man speechless when he sees you in this." she said winking.

"What?" I asked puzzled.

"Oh come on, you didn't see the way Kris Letang got all flustered around you earlier? It was so hard not to notice."

"I honestly don't know what you are talking about, Kris is always shy, he doesn't even like doing interviews. Woman, you are new here, let me tell ya, that was pure genuine Kris Letang, he isn't interested in plain ole me, I promise."

"Okay, if you say so," she said nudging my arm before letting me go back in the dressing room.

He was just being courteous, I thought to myself, that's just the kind of guy Kris is. He was acting just as he would with any other woman he had just met.Right? I did find it a little odd that he hadn't said more than a simple hello when all of the other guys had tried to start a conversation with me. Or how every time I was at the ice he seemed to flub up and miss a pass or shoot the puck in the opposite direction. He couldn't be interested, could he?