Page 170 of Tangled with the Tight End

“You should feel so adored and special. And beautiful.”

“I do,” I say, my voice practically a whisper. “I really do.”

I call Declan. His voice runs through me like a sip of something warm when he answers. “Hey, Winona? How’d it go?”

“Ann is amazing. I’m ready.”

“I’ll be there in a few minutes. The driver is here, waiting for me.”

“He’s already there?”

“I wanted to be ready when you were.”

“Are you going to tell me where we’re going now?”

“Still a surprise.”

“I feel overdressed for most places in town, but I really couldn’t care less. I love this dress.”

Declan doesn’t give me any clue. He simply says, “I’m glad. See you in a few minutes.”

Cass gives me a careful hug and says, “I hope you have the time of your life tonight. I’m so happy for you.”

“Thanks,” I tell her. “I’ll see you when I get home.”

She lets out another little excited squeak and then she runs upstairs, leaving me alone for the last few minutes before Declan arrives. I reapply my lipstick, like Ann told me to do, and then I stand by the door, blowing out a long breath to try to release the nervous knots in my stomach.

A sleek black SUV pulls up and a man in a suit steps out of the driver’s seat. He walks up to my door and I open it before he can even knock.

“Miss Winona?” he says.

“I’m Winona,” I tell him.

“Declan is in the car.”

He holds the door open for me.

I shout up to Cass. “Leaving! See you later!” as if I’m wearing tennis shoes and sweats, not a glamorous gown.

I step out past the driver, onto my porch and down the steps. My eyes catch on Declan. He’s in the back seat, the window down despite the chill, watching me approach. I smile at him and spin in a circle. When I finish my twirl, I look for his reaction and he does not disappoint. His eyes scan me in my dress and land back on my face with a look I want to capture and place in a frame next to my bed so it’s the first thing I see every morning.

The driver passes me and opens the door to the back bench seat.

He gives me a hand and I step up into the car.

When the door shuts behind me, Declan lets out a low whistle. “Wow. You look incredible.”

“Ann’s a genius,” I tell him.

“She’s good. With or without her, you’re beautiful.”

He leans over and places a kiss on my cheek.

The window raises. The driver pulls out of my neighborhood and I settle into my seat.

“Who styled you?” I ask.

Declan’s in a black suit with a black tie, but there’s a dark brown pattern through the tie, the same color as my dress. He’s wearing a spicy, warm cologne that makes me want to lean in and steal another kiss.