Page 195 of Tangled with the Tight End

I stand back, squint, and close one eye. “I see it. In a Picasso sort of way.”

She playfully hits my arm.

“It kind of sunk into itself,” she says. “But I think it’s going to be extra delicious to make up for what it lacks in appearance.”

“I love it. Really.”

“Want me to cut a slice?” she offers.

“Let’s eat first. I’ll check what Claudette made.”

My phone rings before I even open the refrigerator.

“It’s Kate,” I tell Winona, pressing to accept the call.

“Declan, I hate to bother you on a Friday evening. The press is snooping around about Winona. There’s a rash of new smear posts about her.”

My stomach sinks.

“How bad is it?” I ask.

“More of the same. But there are new photos. Some of the two of you kissing in her car. A few of her walking some dogs.”

“That means there are photographers here—in Waterford.”

Winona’s eyes meet mine.

“Yes,” Kate says.

“I wanted to get to you so you could call Winona and give her a heads-up so she hears it from you first.”

“She’s here with me,” I say.

At the mention of her name, Winona’s expression grows curious.

“Remind her not to respond online. Don’t engage with the trolls.”

“I will,” I say, clenching my molars.

I look away from Winona. She’s in this because of me.

“Tell her not to read comments. You either. People jump on the bandwagon with this kind of stuff. They use it as a dumping ground. Reading through it is my job. You two protect your mental health by leaving comment sections to me and my team.”

“Okay,” I say.

Winona approaches me, stepping in front of me and looking up into my face.

I squeeze my eyes shut, as if that could fend off the storm that’s looming. She wraps her arms around me and I let her.

“Expect photographers,” Kate says. “You might not spot them, but they’ll spot you. And call me if anyone is on your property, in your neighborhood, following you or her … You know the drill.”

“Unfortunately, I do.”

“Hang in there, Declan. This will pass.”

“Yeah. It will.”

The question isn’t whether this storm passes. They always eventually do. The question is whether I have any right dragging someone like Winona into this kind of scrutiny and abuse.