Page 145 of Tangled with the Tight End

“Is that Winona?” Emberleigh shouts.

“And Cass,” my sister answers.

My friends are all settled into chairs and love seats in the room off the side hallway. Trays of food line the “buffet” which is actually the top of a half-high bookcase that runs along one side of the room.

“Okay, so …” Emberleigh says.

“We took a vote,” Daisy adds.

“And we don’t want to talk about the book tonight,” Carli says.

I look at Cass. She smiles at me as if she knew about this vote.

“What? Why?” I ask.

“We’ve got far more interesting things to discuss,” Cass says, wagging her brows. “Get some food.”

It takes me a moment to catch on, and then I realize what they mean by interesting things.

“Ah, no. You’re not bribing me with food,” I say “Even if I am hungry.”

“I brought fried chicken,” Daisy says. “My family recipe. I double dredged it with buttermilk just the way you like it.”

“And I brought pumpkin gooey butter cake,” Emberleigh says.

“Stop. You guys!” I’m laughing. But seriously?

Cass touches my arm. “No pressure, Win. But try to see this from our point of view. You’ve been single forever. And now you're dating!”

“It’s no big deal,” I say, shrugging my shoulders.

“Winona!” Carli says. “You are dating Declan O’Connell, and it’s no big deal?”

“Just Declan,” I say. “I’m not dating the professional football player. Just him.”

Cass beams. “He must love that. You’re so unimpressed by his status.”

She’s wrong. I’m not unimpressed. Everything about Declan impresses me. But I’m not in love with what he does for a living. I’m in love with the man.

The reality of my feelings hits me so hard, I practically stumble into the chair behind me. But I manage to stay standing.

“Are you okay?” Emberleigh asks, noticing my obvious sway.

“Yeah. Yes. I’m good. Just lost my footing.”

In love? After two months?

That’s crazy. I can’t be in love.

Falling? Maybe.

I think I might be falling for Declan.

Everyone’s still looking at me.

“Let’s all get food. Please,” I say. “Then I’ll endure your grilling.”

“Let’s celebrate your love …” Emberleigh says with a smile. “... of butter cake.”