Page 36 of In It to Win It

“Nice seeing you again, JP.” Taylor bares her teeth at me and flaps a hand in a casual wave as she walks out, followed by Lacey.

Théo gives me the eye. “You’re a little salty. Did Grandpa piss you off about something?”

“No. I just don’t like to lose.”

“Jesus, it was just for fun.” He scrunches his face up. “Or is it because it was girls? Or one girl?” He hoists an eyebrow.

I gulp some lemonade. “You’re right. I’m too competitive.”

He laughs. “You’re a Wynn.”

TAYLOR

Yes, I’m going on another damn date.

I believe in love—big, beautiful, crazy love that fills your heart and your soul, that radiates to everyone around you and makes the world go ’round. I want that. I’m not giving up on it.

Hockey players, on the other hand, Iamgiving up on. I roll my eyes as I check out my reflection in the mirror in my bathroom.

It’s Sunday and we’re meeting at a sports bar, so I’m wearing jeans, a tank top with a big slouchy sweater over it, and ankle boots. I fluff my hair and turn to go.

Anthony’s a guy I met on the dating app. He’s cute and seems nice. He probably thinks the same about me. We’ll see what we think when we meet in person. As long as the police don’t show up to arrest him, I’m determined to do a second date (assuminghewants to) so I can’t say I’m being too picky.

I grab my purse and my keys and jog downstairs.

Mom and Dad are in the family room with the TV on. They stop talking when I enter the room, which gives me a weird vibe. “I’m going out,” I announce. “I don’t think I’ll be late.”

“You’re not home for dinner?” Mom asks.

“No. Sorry. I should have told you sooner.” Too busy playing beach volleyball and drooling over JP Wynn’s chest.

“Oh, that’s okay. Who are you going out with?”

“A new guy. His name’s Anthony.”

Dad’s face tightens. He hates that I date guys I meet online. But how else am I going to meet them? I work with mostly women, and now that I’m out of college it’s not that easy. I could go hang out in bars, but would that be any better?

“I’m meeting him,” I say to reassure him. “Don’t worry.”

He grimaces.

“Have fun,” Mom says.

I jump in my car, an ancient Volvo my parents bought me when I turned eighteen. Okay, it’s not ancient, it’s only six years old. It’s not what I would choose, but since I can’t exactly afford a new car, I can’t be picky. It runs and it gets me from point A to point B, so that’s all that matters.

Mom and Dad were probably talking about how to get rid of me. My older sister, Amy, lives with her family in San Diego. My parents had her when they were young and then six years later I came along . . . oops. They probably want to have another shot at a fun and child-free life.

After a short drive, I enter Jake’s Tavern. It’s a long, narrow space with wood floors, pressed tin ceilings, a dark wood bar along one side, and small tables on the other. I pause and search the patrons, looking for who I think is Anthony.

A man at a table against the wall lifts a hand. Yes, that’s him—wavy, sandy-colored hair, a nice smile, decent shoulders. I smile and start toward him and he slides off his high chair to greet me.

“Taylor?”

“That’s me.”

He shakes my hand, holding it an extra moment and making eye contact, the corners of his eyes crinkling up attractively. “Nice to meet you in person.”

“You too.”

---