Page 68 of Tight End

Kim displayed her hand. I cried out and held out my palm as if to shield myself from its brightness.

“Damn, girl. You’re gonna bring down aircraft with that thing!”

She giggled and waggled her fingers while admiring the stone.

“Friendly warning,” I told her. “If you break this guy’s heart? I’ll tie you up and send you down to Mexico. Trust me: I know how to hog-tie someone.”

“Do you, now?” Dallas asked.

“Damn right. Down in Texas, that’s mandatory learning in first grade. More useful than learning to write in cursive, let me tell you.”

Kim smiled at me and said, “I promise not to break his heart.” Then she turned to Dallas and said, “You’re lucky to have a friend like him.”

“Damn right he is!” I said. “Now, as your best man—I am your best man, right?—I’ve already done some thinking about the bachelor party. Lake Tahoe is real nice in the summer…”

I cut off as I saw something out of the corner of my eye. The flash of a crimson ponytail. My heart swelled with excitement as she entered the room, confirming who it was.

Taylor, I thought. She’s here.

---