I’d visited her after training each day but I still wasn’t completely sure what was going on in her mind other than a big, messy shame spiral. I just hoped that, whatever it was, she’d find my surprise sweet rather than embarrassing.
My stomach knotted. “What if I got it wrong?”
“Then you’ll fix it,” Jane said simply.
I wished I had as much faith in myself as she did.
The doorbell rang. The knots in my gut tightened. That must be them.
“All right, everyone.” I raised my voice to be heard. “We’re on.”
The chatter died momentarily before starting back up, this time with a more excited edge to it. A little uncertain about whether I’d done the right thing, I went to the door and opened it, a chasm of doubt looming ahead of me.
Tally greeted me with a smile, but her eyes were fogged with confusion. “What’s going on? Keysha insisted on driving me here after work and I have no idea what’s happening.”
Beside her, Keysha smirked. “I did my part. Time for you to do yours.”
“Thanks, Key.” I flashed her a grin. I really was appreciative to her for getting Tally here. “Feel free to stay. There’s plenty of food.”
“Food?” Tally’s confusion deepened.
I ushered Keysha past her, into the house, but remained in the doorway with Tally. “I’m having a bit of a gathering. There’s, uh, going to be a surprise for you later.”
Please don’t let her be mad.
A furrow formed between her brows. “A surprise? Like what?”
I took her hand. “You’ll have to wait and see. Come in. We’ve been cooking all afternoon.”
The place smelled incredible. Even better than it usually did during our postgame dinners. Mom, Dad, and I had gone all out, and in addition to the home cooked food, there was also a selection of baked treats from a nearby bakery and a platter of Tally’s favorite chocolates, provided by Keysha.
Tally followed me into the living room. Mom had finished arranging platters of food along the kitchen counter and plates, glasses, cutlery, and drinks were on the dining table. I chose a plate and began to fill it at the counter. When I handed it to her, she watched me, obviously baffled.
“For you,” I said.
She took the plate and headed to the sofa, which had thoughtfully been left clear. Jane leaned over and said something to her. I let everyone know they could grab whatever they liked, then I filled my own plate and sat beside Tally.
Tally bumped my shoulder. “I’ve had three people tell me how glad they are that we’re together.”
Jane nodded. “I was just telling Tally that as soon as I heard, I knew that the journalist was wrong about it being fake, no matter how it might have started out. You two belong together.”
My heart warmed and I held Jane’s gaze, silently thanking her for putting Tally at ease. My sister may not be outgoing, but there was something about her that calmed those around her.
“Of course it’s real,” Gallagher said, flopping cross-legged onto the floor in front of us. “I knew you two were destined for each other when Alec warned us to back off.”
Tally’s eyebrows flew up. “He what?”
“Oh, yeah. He said we were all a bunch of fuckboys and that if any of us touched you, he’d…” He trailed off, apparently catching sight of my glare. “But hey! All's well that ends well, right?”
Tally stared at me. My face heated and my shoulders crept up to my ears as embarrassment set in. In hindsight, it was obvious that I’d wanted Tally long before I admitted it, even to myself.
“You’re mine,” I murmured, flushing deeper.
She shook her head, chuckling. “Apparently so. Alec, whatisall of this?”
I scratched my jaw, the bristles rasping against my fingertips. “I might have, kind of, done something. Just watch.”
Across the room, Dexter switched on the TV, which I’d already connected to the appropriate talk show.
