Page 75 of Winning Winnie’s Hand

“Yes,” Cedric continued. “I still can’t understand why we had to drive that lemon here when I’ve got a Tesla to enjoy.”

“Because you need to keep yourself humble with the rest of us in the real world, Ced, that’s why,” Matthew retorted.

“Says the man who lives in a castle,” Winnie said.

The boys raised their glasses in cheers and laughter, but Winnie’s bright eyes focused solely on Matthew. He had no retort, too distracted by the way she glowed in the temperate light of the dark-walled pub. Her lips were a warm shade of red, and her gray eyes glimmered.

She was in a happy mood tonight. No doubt trying to win over his friends, just as she had his sister and parents. Just as she had him when he’d helped her from the mud.

What would have happened between them had Dad placed her over Foxwood instead of the festival? Would they have been friends? Or would they have found something else between them?

“So,” Winnie began, pulling his attention away from his dangerously straying thoughts, “I hear you boys ran a charity run today.”

“Yep,” Graham said. “Cedric here won, despite pulling his hamstring a few months ago.”

Winnie’s brow rose. “Well, that sounds painful.” She gave a little laugh as Cedric shrugged. “But congratulations all the same.”

“And Matthew here nearly lost to a few elderly folk,” Finn added.

Thanks, Finn.

“Well done to you, as well,” she said with a teasing smile at Matthew. “Was this your guys’ first, or…”

“No, we run every year as an excuse to get together and participate for charity,” Cedric said. “The hosting individual is in charge of finding the charity run.”

“Oh, I love that idea,” she said.

“Do you run, Winnie?” Graham asked.

Matthew sat back in silence. He wasn’t doing much speaking. He was far too on edge, wondering what teasing comment would come next from his friends to make Winnie even more confident than him that evening.

“Oh, just for exercise,” she responded. “I’ve never really had time to train for a marathon or anything like that.”

Too busy with work. Was that why she didn’t have time to ride any longer, too?

She glanced at Matthew as if she’d heard his thoughts, then looked to Cedric. “So how did you all come up with the charity run idea?”

“It was Cedric,” Finn explained. “None of the rest of us can keep up with him, but he insists on keepin’ it going twice a year.” He leaned closer to Winnie, and Matthew’s eye shifted to watch his friend more carefully. “He plays for the Premier League, so he does. Finest striker there is.”

“Premier League…I assume you’re talking about soccer?” she asked. “Or football, I guess?”

The men nodded.

“The real football,” Cedric added.

Winnie grinned. “Don’t let my brothers hear you say that. They both played in high school and have the concussions to prove it.”

More laughter sounded. Even Matthew cracked a smile this time.

“So what’s the equivalent of the Premier League in the States?” she asked next.

“Probably the NFL,” Cedric responded.

Her brow rose. “Oh, wow. So you’re, like, famous here?”

Cedric shrugged humbly again. “Moreso in Wales. That’s where I’m from, see. But in most circles I don’t get recognized.”

Graham scoffed. “Everywhere we go, he gets stopped. He was busy signing Habergham shirts at the charity run.”