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“Like a migraine, I’m sure. What do you need, QB?”

“Kate called.”

“Oh?”

“Yeah. Right after you left. She said we can end this now.”

“Oh … Well, good. That’s good, right? Get back to life and you can focus on your season.”

Her answer isn’t optimal. But what do I expect? She’s not about to shout, No, Marcus! No! We’re meant to be! She’s ready to be done with the acting and secrecy.

“I told her I didn’t think the timing was right,” I say, waiting to gauge her reaction.

“You did?”

“Yeah. You know. With Declan and Winona’s wedding coming up. If we break up, it will draw attention to us now. And then at the wedding, everyone will be looking at us instead of them. We don’t want to steal their spotlight.”

“Never,” she agrees quickly.

“So you’re on board with waiting until after the wedding?”

“It makes the most sense—for Declan and Winona’s sake.”

“Yeah. We’re just thinking of them.”

“Exactly.”

“Okay, then. Buckle up for two more months of dating bliss,” I tease.

“And you’d better put splash guards in your kitchen,” she says.

“Does that mean you’re coming for dinner again?”

“We can’t only be known for hanging out in public. It’s raising suspicion.”

“Maybe I should put a toothbrush in the guest bath,” I suggest, only half joking.

“Let’s not get too ambitious, Delaney. Sleeping over was a one-off.”

“If you say so.”

We say our goodbyes and hang up.

I can’t wipe the smile off my face. I just secured two more months with Cass.

Chapter 28

Cass

Let’s get our honky-tonk on!

~ Cass Carter

“I can’t believe it’s already December,” Winona says.

I check the rearview mirror to make sure Syd’s SUV is still following us. We left for Nashville almost an hour ago, and we’re about ten minutes outside town.

Winona decided she wants to have her bachelorette party now, before the Christmas season is in full swing, in case the Thunder doesn’t make the playoffs and the wedding can be in early January.