Free My Sweetheart by Shannon Guymon Page B

on a paper plate. Meredith handed him a plastic fork, smiling at him hopefully.
                  Kam smiled kindly down at Meredith and took a big bite. He blinked in surprise and then took another bite before speaking. “Mer, did you really make this? Or did Jane make it? ” he asked, looking back and forth between the women suspiciously.
                  Meredith glared at him and put her hands on her hips. “I made that cake myself last night. I did everything. How does it taste?” she asked, biting her lip nervously.
                  Kam grinned and looked at her in surprise. “It’s delicious. I had no idea you knew how to cook. What else can you cook?” he asked, taking another bite and looking at her appraisingly.
                  Meredith blushed and Jane turned and disappeared into the crowd, letting them talk in private. Hopefully they would make a connection.
                  Tate materialized at her side, grinning and looking very pleased with himself. Jane pushed him in the arm, making him laugh. “You little thief. I worked hard on that cupcake,” she said, glaring at him hotly.
                  Tate smiled and pulled her behind a large horse chestnut tree. “Yeah, you worked hard to make it disgusting. I tasted it Jane. You’re lucky Kam didn’t take a bite. He could have died of salt poisoning.”
                  Jane blushed and pushed her hair out of her eyes. “I don’t think it would have killed him. But he definitely wouldn’t be obsessed with my baking anymore.”
                  Tate leaned in close and grabbed her hand. “Well, I tasted it and I’m still obsessed,” he said softly, leaning in as if he was going to kiss her again.
                  Jane stared up into his dark brown eyes and found herself leaning toward him. She reached out and put a hand on his arm as his head dipped toward her.
                  “ Tate?”
                  They jerked apart and Jane looked over Tate’s shoulder to see a tall gorgeous Samoan girl. It was the same girl she’d seen at the game the other night. The one who had been so rude. Her hair was long, black and wavy and reached her hips. She was wearing a simple pair of white shorts and a bright blue t-shirt but she looked as if she had just stepped off the pages of a magazine. She was the most beautiful girl Jane had ever seen. Her heart plummeted as Tate stiffened and stepped away from her.
                  “Hey Alea. You look pretty today,” he said politely.
                  Alea ignored Tate and looked at her suspiciously. “Your uncle is looking for you,” she said, her dark eyes looking hot and angry.
                  Tate looked back over his shoulder at her and shrugged. “Gotta go. See ya around Jane,” he said and disappeared with Alea, her arm firmly wrapped around his bicep.
                  Jane watched him go and felt sick for some reason. The girl had looked at Tate possessively as if he were hers.
                  “Tate’s been trying to stay clear of Alea for years now, but the noose is getting tighter and tighter.”
                  Jane turned around quickly and saw Tristan sitting in the shade with his leg propped up on a lounge chair. Her face turned bright red in embarrassment, knowing he had heard and seen everything.
                  “Sit down and talk to me for a moment. Meredith was supposed to bring me a plate of food but I think she’s forgotten all about me,” he said with a smile.
                  Jane smiled and pulled a white plastic chair over toward him and sat down. Tristan and Meredith didn’t look much alike even though they were brother and sister. Their personalities were opposites too. Meredith was all sass and fire and Tristan was easy going and mild.