Free First Down (First and Ten #1) by Lea Hart Page A

In this case, Clark may have some very real insight into how his friend was feeling. “When you say full monty , what exactly do you mean?”
    “I mean, walk down the aisles, big ring, and a lifetime together,” Clark answered.
    “Ana wouldn’t like a big ring, because her hands are small,” Ronnie responded. “I understand that you were not speaking in the literal sense. But, god forbid it should ever come to that. I want you or I to talk some sense into him about the ring.”
    “Nothing like jumping ahead, Ronnie.” Clark shook his head and laughed.
    Jordan shushed them as the final scene of the show came up. “Be quiet. This is where it all comes together.”
    Ronnie elbowed him. “This isn’t reality. This is all staged. Why are you making me be quiet?”
    “The same reason that you make me shut up during the proposal of the bachelorette.”
    “Oh, yeah. That’s right.” Ronnie stared at her best friend asleep in the arms of one of her best clients. She wanted to be optimistic about their chances, but she didn’t want to be foolhardy. It was her job to protect Ana, and she didn’t want Jack’s good-guy reputation to give her a false sense of optimism. She needed to stay on guard. After all, she had experienced heartbreak at the hands of one of his best friends. The one time she’d let her guard down for more than a minute, Brian swooped in and ultimately broke every little-girl dream she’d ever held in her heart. No, she needed to keep her eyes open and make sure that Ana was going to be okay. “Should we wake them?”
    “No, let them sleep for now,” Clark answered.
    Justin stood and held out his hand for Sara. “I’m going to walk Sara home, and then I’ll be back. See you guys in a little while.”
    Sara waved to the group as she and Justin made their way out of the living room.
    “I guess Justin likes being included as part of our group,” Clark said.
    Ella joined the conversation. “Who says you’re part of the group? Maybe you won’t end up hanging out with us.”
    Clark took her hand and kissed her head. “Oh, we’re part of the group. You’re just mad because I won’t let you get at me without a commitment to date. It’s funny how roles change. I’m tired of women wanting me for my body, my hair, and my money. I’m worth more than that.”
    Ella rolled her eyes. “Oh, let me feel sorry for the big, handsome, famous, and rich football player. Or not!”
    “Don’t be mad because you are not getting what you want right away. All the good things in life take a little work,” Clark said. He looked at Ella and watched her fume. This was going to be fun, and by the time they came together….it was going to better than the fireworks show over Disney World.
    The show ended, and the group started getting up and taking their dishes into the kitchen. Ana and Jack didn’t move, even with the people walking around them. They had that in common. They both fell asleep quickly and then passed out like the dead. This actually could be a match made in heaven.
     

CHAPTER SIX
    Halloween
     
    Ana walked into Ronnie’s house and looked around. Her friend had outdone herself in decorating her worn-down mansion. Ronnie liked re-decorating almost as much as she liked making money. Her house was starting to show all the love and devotion that she’d poured into it. She thought the Halloween decorations played perfectly against the faded grandeur of the house. “Ronnie, where are you?”
    Standing at the top of the staircase was her best friend dressed as a southern grand dame. She wore a gold caftan and large jewels, and her dark hair was piled on top of her head. “Good evening, dear friend. I’m dressed as my mother in her heyday. What do you think?”
    Ana started laughing as her friend descended the staircase slowly with a martini glass in hand. “Why…Mrs. DuMond, it’s a pleasure to see you in our fair state of Florida.” Ana giggled.
    “It’s not my practice to travel so far