Page 193 of Tangled with the Tight End

“She’d hate that.”

I laugh. I know exactly what she means. Winona would feel like I got this massive gift and whatever she got me would feel small and insignificant next to my inappropriately large gesture.

“Yeah. I’d get her anything, but I know she doesn’t want it to be extravagant.”

“Though, she loved that date you took her on.”

“I loved it too.”

Cass smiles at me. “Honestly, my sister’s a simple person, Declan. She just wants to enjoy the people she loves and spend time with them. Maybe … a book?”

“A book? That’s it?”

“Trust me. If you pick the right book, it will feel special to her.”

“How do I pick the right book?”

“Well, that’s where I come in,” Cass smiles and lifts her brows. “Consider me your personal shopper. It can’t hurt to throw in some goodies—we can make a gift basket with the book.”

“I don’t expect you to shop for me.”

“Consider it my stamp of approval.”

“Of approval?”

“Of you and Winona. I like you for her.”

“Thanks. That means a lot. And I owe you.”

“Don’t I know it?”

I catch sight of Winona walking toward us, a scarf around her neck and mittens on her hands. Cass and I rejoin her friends.

The guys on the team don’t usually come out to local events like this. It causes a stir when a bunch of us are out in public together. So, tonight it’s just me and the book club women.

Winona reaches us and immediately loops her arm around me. I wrap my arm around her shoulders and we stand with her friends while my brother is lifted in the bucket at the end of the hydraulic fire truck ladder so he can place the star on the tree. A choir from one of the local churches sings O, Christmas Tree.

The star flares to life, and light spills down the tree, traveling along each strand of twinkle lights, branch by branch, until the whole tree glows. The crowd of townspeople sends up a cheer when the last light flickers to life.

Winona’s face is alight with wonder, the yellow-white from the tree reflecting in her eyes.

I stare down at her and say, “I love you.”

The words slip out, softly, without any forethought. I would have planned a scene, staged it, prepared myself and maybe even her.

She stares up at me. “What?”

I know she heard me. There’s a look of wonder in her expression.

“I love you, Winona.”

She smiles up at me. “I love you too, Declan.”

I bend in and kiss her. It’s not the kiss I want to give her. We’re here in the middle of the town square, surrounded by families and townspeople.

When I pull back, she’s smiling up at me.

“You’re it for me,” I tell her.