Page 155 of Tangled with the Tight End

“That’s …” She pauses and I can tell she’s trying to choose her words in a way that doesn’t upset me. “Not great.”

“It’s fine.”

“Double fine. This is bad.”

“You know what?” I tell her. “If I were Declan’s parents and he had gone through a smear campaign? I would probably be a little protective too.”

“You’re way too forgiving.”

“What’s the alternative? Being skeptical? Resentful? Closed off to people? Most people are just doing their best.”

“I wish I had your magnanimous view of humanity.”

“It’s true. And Declan’s parents don’t dislike me. They don’t even know me. I just wish they were more like Mom and Dad—for Declan’s sake too. His dad is impressive. So focused and driven. But it feels like he puts a lot of pressure on Declan to practically be perfect. He means well. I just can’t imagine if our parents were like that.”

“Mom and Dad are national treasures.”

“They are.”

We pull into Declan’s driveway.

Cass’s eyes go wide. “Wow. This is more than I pictured. Even after your description.”

I shrug. Is it weird that I’ve gotten used to the opulence of Declan’s home?

Cass grabs the seven-layer dip we brought, balancing the bag of tortilla chips on top. We approach the door and she busts out laughing.

“The goose!”

“Geese Witherspoon?” I ask, looking at Geese. She’s wearing a blue football jersey with orange trim and a little silver helmet. “Oh my gosh! Where did he get that?”

“He dresses the goose?” Cass asks.

I just smile. He does. And Darlene does, but I don’t bring Darlene into the mix. Cass would just go on about how nice it must be to have hired help.

I am hired help. Literally.

I laugh softly to myself over the irony.

I push in the code and open the door.

Cass just stares at me. “You just walk right in?”

“Yeah. I got used to it when I was caring for him and he couldn’t get to the door. I just never stopped.”

“Okay, girlfriend,” she teases.

“Try not to drool on the marble floors, okay?” I whisper, nudging her hip with mine.

“I’m cool,” she whispers back. “No drooling. I promise.”

She says that, but her eyes are literally bugging as she looks around the expansive entryway, up the grand staircase and along the coffered ceilings.

Declan swings out through the doorway of the front room with a broad smile on his face. He aims right for me and places a kiss on my cheek.

His eyes fix on mine and he says, “Good to see you.”

The way he says it always sends a little rush through me, as if he was holding his breath and now he can breathe. I haven’t known what to make of his blatant shows of affection, but I’m getting used to them over time. I’m even starting to look forward to his compliments, the constant touches, and the way he acts like he can’t live without seeing me.