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Moving benches would probably make things easier for herself. But then, surely it was safer to know where he was, so she knew where to avoid looking.

Sarah

That’s awesome! I’m so glad you’re excited about it. You’re going to rock it, as usual. And don’t let Dad or the others get you down. If this is what you want to do, I say go for it.

Sarah always knew how to make Winnie feel better.

Winnie

Thank you! You’re the best. The jousting isn’t as weird as Spencer was saying, either. It’s actually really fun. The knights are awesome to see, too.

The knights. Plural. Not just one in particular.

Sarah

So there really are full blown knights there?

Winnie

Yeah. It’s pretty cool.

Sarah

And are they as knightly as the movies make them out to be?

Winnie smiled, then hesitated. She chewed on her lower lip before sending the next text. She could tell what happened to her, all the while omitting that she found the man attractive. That was definitely okay.

Winnie

Kinda. One actually rescued me the other day.

Three dots instantly pulled up.

Sarah

Wait, what?

Winnie

My car got stuck in the mud at the estate, and a knight appeared and pushed the car out of the mud for me.

Sarah

OH MY GOSH. That is the most legit thing I’ve ever heard in my life. You were literally saved by a knight in shining armor. Please tell me he’s hot.

Winnie smiled, then glanced up at Matthew, who now sat next to the woman. They weren’t close to each other. They weren’t even touching. And both their eyes were focused on the girls. That seemed more like a sibling relationship than anything. And Dad had mentioned the Wintours having a son and a daughter.

Or was she just being hopeful? Either way, she couldn’t be sure. And she wouldn’t risk being disrespectful to him or the woman he sat beside. Just in case.

“Winnie?”

Winnie almost jumped, looking back down to her phone where her mom had spoken to her on the call.

“Sorry, the connection is super glitchy,” Winnie lied.

“I was just asking where you’d choose to have Christmas this year,” Mom repeated. “Everyone’s opinion needs to be taken into account.”

Winnie had heard that before, but being in the minority, her opinion never mattered. “I’m good wherever,” she stated, just like always.