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Winona: I don’t want them hating each other the whole time leading up to our wedding. He’s one of your best friends. She’s my sister. They are going to see one another for years to come. It would be nice if they could get along.

… If we try this and it fails, I’ll let it go faster than Elsa.

Declan: The ice queen in Disney?

Winona: Yep.

Declan: I’m laughing.

… Okay. If it means that much to you, count me in.

Winona: Doing my happy dance. I think this just might work. They just need time alone with no distractions. They’re bound to see the good in each other.

Declan: Don’t ever change.

Winona: You know I couldn’t if I tried.

Chapter 6

Cass

I've been on so many blind dates,

I should get a free dog.

~ Wendy Liebman

“I don’t know how you talked me into this,” I say, pulling yet another shirt from my closet.

My bed is strewn with discarded options. I’m practically breaking into a sweat. And why? My sister set me up on a blind date.

“How did you talk me into this? Was it hypnosis? Did you slip something into my coffee?”

I lift my arms and let the brown floral silky shirt drop over my body. I tie the attached fabric belt around my waist and turn to look at myself in the full-length mirror.

Winona laughs at my predicament, or my attitude, or something—hopefully not my outfit.

She steps up behind me, resting her chin on my shoulder. We’re the kind of twins that are salt and pepper, or vanilla and chocolate. She’s blonde and I’ve got Mom’s dark brown hair. She’s optimistic. I’m a realist. I can lead a small army. She can herd goats—sort of.

“You said yes because you love me,” she says. “He’s a friend of Declan’s.”

“Is he on the Thunder?” I ask, suddenly running the roster through my head.

Ninety men are on the team at this point in the season. I know of all of them. Some I even know personally.

“I’m not telling,” she says, but there’s a sparkle in her eyes.

“So … he IS on the Thunder. I like ninety-nine percent of the guys on that team.”

“Ninety-nine?”

“Everyone but you-know-who. He’s bossy, arrogant, pushy.” I shake my head. “I’m getting sick of talking about how much he irritates me. I bet you’re sick of hearing it too. It’s just … bumping into him at the barbecue and having him sign up to be on Porch Light rekindled my frustration.”

Winona’s face has officially fallen. She looks sullen, even.

“Hey. I’m sorry,” I say. “I know you love him. But you love everyone. Anyway, if it’s a Thunder player, I’ll thank you later.”

“You can wow him with your knowledge of stats,” she says, brightening slightly.