Page 22 of Bluffed By the Offense

“I’m not pulling that out on a blind date. Or a first date.”

“You pulled it on Jaxon Pierce.”

“And I wanted to relocate to another zip code after that embarrassing episode.”

“He thought it was impressive.”

“Well, no stats tonight,” I promise.

And, from the sound of things, it is a Thunder player. It’s wild enough that my previously football-oblivious sister is marrying a tight end. I never dreamed of dating an NFL player. I’m a superfan, but I don’t know if that lifestyle would suit me. They travel a lot. And all the spotlight and fame is definitely not my cup of tea. But, if the man swept me off my feet the way Declan did with Winona, maybe I’d reconsider.

First date, Cass.

You don’t have to name your babies quite yet.

“It’s been forever since I’ve been on a date,” I say.

“Well, it’s high time you get out with a man,” Winona says. “And maybe don’t think of this as a date so much as an opportunity to get to know someone.”

“I like that. It takes the pressure off.”

“Yeah?”

“Mm hmm.”

“Good. I’m excited to hear about your no-pressure get-to-know-you. I’ll wait up.”

“Don’t go out of your way. I’ll fill you in tomorrow if you fall asleep before I get home.”

I grab a matching pair of brown boots and head downstairs, checking my lipstick in the hall mirror before taking a seat on the couch to slip my boots on.

“We’re meeting at Fork and Fiddle,” I tell Winona. “Of course, you probably already know that.”

“I do.” She smiles at me, her eyes running over me from my hair to my boots. “You look beautiful.”

“Thanks.”

Winona leans in and gives me a hug.