Page 10

I smile down at Cass. She smiles back.

But as soon as Bryce says, “I think that’s a wrap,” Cass jumps up and bolts away from me.

“Thank you so much,” Lizzy tells Cass. “I’m really sorry. We had no idea.”

“It’s fine. Really,” Cass says. “Anything for a good cause.”

Lizzy smiles and approaches me.

I overhear Cass mutter to Bryce as she passes him. “You definitely owe me one.”

Bryce nods. “Here I thought you’d be like a kid at Christmas getting to shoot with the Thunder. But … fair enough. I owe you one. And thanks.”

Cass smiles a gorgeous, unhindered smile at him and says, “No problem. And you don’t really owe me one … after all, it’s for the kids.”

It’s like she’s an entirely different person for a moment—kind, caring, sweet … then her gaze lands on me, and she narrows her eyes and walks away.

Bryce’s Social Media Post

@brycecaptureswaterford Well, here they are. Marcus Delaney, the Thunder’s own star quarterback, and our local real estate office manager, Cass Carter. A day in the park. Tell me your thoughts …

@jennysmygoat I see sparks! The way they look at one another? Be still my heart.

@thunderlover I’m so jealous! She got to be matched with Marcus Delaney? I may never get over this. He’s soooo scrumptious!

@ThunderFan222 We need an update! What happened after this shoot? Show the behind the scenes! I see a romance happening here.

@Dolly4everrrrr That picture of them on the picnic blanket! May this love find me!

@._gym.dude_. Delaney! Let’s go! Take this season to the Super Bowl!

@thunderlover @._gym.dude_. This is not the thread for football talk.

@._gym.dude_. @thunderlover He’s the quarterback. What else am I supposed to talk about?

@CumberlandRaftingClub Love this! Delaney deserves to find love.

@stoppin.at.bucees Loooove this! The way his arms are wrapped around her on the bridge. Just staaahhhp. I’ve got all the feels.

@PhotographyofTNOfficial Great shots, Bryce!

@simply_melody_jane_again So iconic! A man and a woman, falling in love on a bridge.

Chapter 3

Cass

I could easily forgive his pride,

if he had not mortified mine.

~ Jane Austen, Pride and Prejudice

I walk away from the photo shoot, careful not to increase my pace, even though I’d like to take off in a sprint. I didn’t even say goodbye to Marcus. Is that rude? Probably. To be fair, he didn’t say goodbye to me either. I guess that makes us equally horrible.

Never has anyone in my life drawn out this level of aggravation from me. He makes me madder than the devil at a baptism. And he seems to enjoy the fact.

Sweetheart?