"Yes, that's perfect," I gasped as I wielded my camera around the stunning young woman. Her lavender skirt flared up around her leg, her back arched into the movement so naturally while she leaped into the air. My shutter clicked several times as I was in awe of the graceful movement, even beneath all of the costumes.

First, we photographed all of the ballet dancers that would be preforming in Swan Lake. It was all white feathers and shimmering stones. The men and women moved beautifully and kept thousand watt smiles on their lips, even when their chests heaved with heavy breaths and their legs trembled beneath them.

Then we moved on to Peter Pan. I loved the vibrant greens the childish humor that the dancers portrayed now. Captain Hook was my personal favorite, somehow managing to look elegant and professional while swinging a sword and twirling about.

"These are going to be amazing. The lighting is perfect and your dancers are otherworldly," I said to the director as I wrapped up my shoot. "Thank you for giving me this opportunity. I've never photographed ballet dancers before, but it was wonderful."

The woman just gave me a kind smile. "I loved your pageant photos. You really know how to bring out someone's personality without distorting the purpose of the photograph. I assumed that if you could work with snowboarders outside and manage to catch their movement, you could catch the life of ballet just the same."

My insides became warm with pride. Yes, yes I could. I was more than some fiancee, piggy backing on an NHL's stars success. I was a damn good photographer with a good eye and a gift for making people feel comfortable in front of my lens.

"I'll have the edits to you in no time," I promised, hoisting my bag over my shoulder.

"Thank you very much. We'll be in touch, we are trying to schedule in a performance for Cinderella later this year. I hope you'll be available then too."

I made no promises and departed. It had been one month since I had my falling out with Hudson. One month since Rush let me go without a second thought because two of their athletes wanted to act like teenaged boys. I suppose it was a blessing in disguise. A blessing that made me eat way too much ice cream and have couple drunken rants with my sister.

Now, here I was with hardly a single day off between my photoshoots. I was never this busy with Rush. And I was never going to be this busy if I had stayed babysitting their golden boys.

When I got into my SUV, I pulled out my cell phone and called Jen.

"Hey, I was thinking that we could go out for poutines," I suggested, turning on my heated seat. Maybe one day my photography would pay enough and I could go to somewhere that didn't require heat on full blast.

"Oh yeah?" Jen murmured back and I heard her flipping through her calendar. "I don't work until Thursday, so I suppose we could. Where were you thinking of going?"

"Remember when you kind of went on a double date with me and Hudson?"

"At the Flames's bar?" Jen asked carefully, trying unsuccessfully to repress her shock.

"Yeah, he said something about maple chicken, and I want to try it."

"Yes, yes, of course," she sputtered. "What time are you thinking?"

"I can be there by seven."

"We'll see you then."

I can't say that I wasn't nervous to show up to the same bar that I had celebrated my engagement in. I can't say that I wasn't conscious of the risk. I could very well walk out of here, covered in a sweet drink again, crying and helpless. But I was tired of being afraid. I was tired of my ex-fiance pulling the strings in my life, even after I had moved out and gotten my feet under me.

I recognized the hostess almost as quickly as I recognized the men at the bar, too large to be sitting on such tiny stools.

A pair of eyes flashed to me. Then, immediately glanced away.

Dane.

My hands clenched at my sides but my face remained neutral. At least he had the decency to be embarrassed by his actions.

No one else looked my way as I made my path to the booth where my sister and her husband were set up with drinks.

"We already order the poutines," Jen announced as soon as I sat down. There was a little bit of tension in her smile, but there was something else too. I was bold enough to call it pride.

"Perfect, I'm actually so excited to try them."

"How was your day? Today was your session with the speedskaters, right?"

"That was yesterday, actually." I took a sip of my ice water, repressing a smile. I couldn't ever remember being this busy with any professional career. Connor had bulldozed everything before I had even laid the foundation. "Today was some ballet dancers from the area. Really beautiful stuff."

"Oh, I love the ballet, it's so stunning to watch," Jen sighed dreamily. "But you must be exhausted, you have been so busy lately. I was shocked when you said you wanted to go out. I assumed that you'd want to go home, edit, and crash."

"I was tempted, but with the way things are, I might not be having any time to myself for the next little bit."

"That's really great, Pen. You weren't nearly this busy a while ago. This really must be helping to pay the bills."

"Yes, this is quite the accomplishment," Richard added. "That energy drink company is going to regret dropping you very soon, I'm sure."

"I actually got an email from Shawna at Rush yesterday," I confessed.

"And what did she want?" Richard pressed, only quirking an eyebrow behind his glasses.

"She asked me to do a session with one of their up and coming figure skaters."

I could recall the email word for word, very Shawna.

We are unfortunately unable to pair you back up with our snowboarders in light of recent events. However, we have been watching your progress and would like you to be the lead photographer from Emilli Waters. Please send us a reply by the thirteenth.

My reply had been a simple, straight forward, no. My photographs had been equally stunning and precise back then. I had showcased Graydon and Tyson just like I presented my speedskaters yesterday and my ballerinas today. My skills had not increased exponentially in the past month.

They only wanted me because other people wanted me.

"It was a pretty good feeling to let them down and not worry about what it would do to my financial situation or reputation in general," I confessed.

"Well, congratulation on all the new, wonderful things that are happening."

We spent a good part of an hour laughing and drinking, and eating poutines. Jen chuckled about a patient that had gotten himself into quite a predicament while committing a sexual act and Richard just listened on as we gossiped.

After too many drinks, Jen excused herself to go to the washroom and Richard dodged outside to return a phone call from a struggling client.

I rose, deciding that I deserved to enjoy myself a little bit and I could certainly afford a taxi tonight. I didn't realize my mistake until I was at the bar, my elbows on the high counter.

"Penny." The voice was familiar. Too familiar. Connor.

I wanted to turn away then and run back to my table. Or, if I couldn't do that, I wanted to have a screaming match with him, right here, right now.

Instead, I grinned at the bartender. "Can I have a gimlet, please?" Then, with my order out of the way, I turned to face my ex-fiance.

God, he looked as handsome as ever. Too bad I had discovered that piercing blue eyes that could cover lies were not exactly my cup of tea anymore.

"You're looking good," Connor murmured. "Like, really good."

"I'm doing like, really good," I said evenly.

"Really?" He blinked slowly, a little drunk, but his smile was just as magnetic as it had ever been. "I heard about Rush. That couldn't have been easy for you. But, you know, those snowboarders are just boys, playing you like that."

Something twisted within me, but I only crossed my arms over my chest. "You are surprisingly update on my life for someone who couldn't be bothered to check up on me for weeks on end."

"Penny, come on, it's not like that. I still care for you. I have always cared for you."

"It's too late."

The kind, empathetic facade fell away. "What do you mean, it's too late? So what, you think because you have a couple clients that you're too good for me now? You think that you can just walk away from me?" he seethed.

My mouth fell open. I had one thousand and one things I wanted to say to him. Things that I had been too afraid to say before.

But, a hand closed around Connor's arm. Dane briefly met my eyes, before turning to Connor who had bitten his tongue, but was now red in the face.

"Let her live, man. You don't own her. She doesn't owe you anything."

Maybe Connor said something after that. Maybe he called after me. Or maybe he got into a verbal match with his goalie.

I had no idea. The nervous bartender passed me my classic cocktail, not sure how to handle the situation. I just grabbed the chilled glass and went back to my sister and her wonderful husband.

~~~Question of the Day~~~

What is the best halloween costume that you have seen or worn?