Page 14 of A Match Made In Fall

Abby waves that off immediately. “So what? There’s nothing wrong with having a little fun while you’re in town.”

Maybe she’s right. With the way things have been going lately, I could probably use a little fun in my life. And honestly, I’ve enjoyed talking to Austin.

It’s been almost a year since I’ve dated anyone, and it was by choice. After my ex-boyfriend Dexter, I needed distance from relationships. What we had was real and intense, the kind of connection that doesn’t disappear overnight. We had very strong feelings for one another, but love isn’t always enough when two people are moving in completely different directions.

At the time, I was consumed with chasing my dream of making it onto Ballroom Dance America. Every practice, every competition, every spare second of my day revolved around proving myself. And Dexter was just as focused on building his insurance business from the ground up. We were both ambitious, stubborn, and unwilling to sacrifice our goals. Somewhere along the way, our relationship stopped being something we could nurture and started feeling like it was being forced.

The breakup was painful, even though deep down we both knew it was the right decision. We were just two people who loved each other but couldn’t make our lives fit together the way they wanted them to.

And maybe this is why talking to Austin feels so refreshing. There wasn’t any pressure when we spoke. Just eye contact and a lot of chemistry, which is something I haven’t allowed myself to enjoy in a long time. Being around him reminds me that there is hope and I don’t need to have everything planned out perfectly.

My name is Isabella, and I’m officially addicted to apple cider donuts. I have a feeling this is going to be a problem while I’m living in this city—or at least until the season ends.

After spending most of the morning wandering the festival with Abby and Eloise, we eventually reunite with my family for lunch at one of the crowded picnic areas near the food trucks. Eloise and Abby are sitting with Sammy, already debating over who gets to hold Jude first. And Jude is soaking up all the attention like a true Martin. Everyone in our family likes attention.

I sit on the bench beside Dane, setting my shirt on the table next to a small white bag full of donuts.

His eyes immediately land on the Bears merchandise. “What’s that?”

“It’s an autographed T-shirt,” I say, holding it up to show him.

His eyebrows shoot up. “Oh, nice.” He reaches for it automatically. “Thanks for grabbing me one.”

I yank it away. “Um, no sir.”

He blinks. “Why can’t I have it?”

“Because it’s mine.”

Dane stares at me like I’ve completely lost my mind. “You don’t even like hockey.”

“So what?” I say defensively, carefully folding the shirt so the autograph doesn’t crease. “It’s autographed.”

His eyes narrow instantly, suspicion written all over his face.

“Why are you looking at me like that?” I ask.

“That shirt wouldn’t happen to be from the player you were talking to after the game, would it?”

“No.”

“You’re such a bad liar.”

“I’m serious,” I insist. “This shirt is going to be worth a lot of money someday.”

“Exactly,” he says smugly. “Which is why you should give it to me.”

I roll my eyes. “You are unbelievably annoying.”

Dane points toward the shirt still clutched in my hands. “I’ll stop being annoying if you give me the shirt. I’m your favorite brother.”

“You’re my only brother,” I remind him. “And you can go get your own autograph.”

“That’s rude,” he says, offended. “I have a son to take care of.”

I snort. “I’m pretty sure your son will survive without you for a few minutes. Especially considering he currently has four women fighting over holding him.”

At the other end of the table, my mother, Sammy, Abby, and Eloise are all focused entirely on Jude, who is happily banging a spoon against the table like he’s performing a concert.