people,” she announced proudly.
Jane smiled shyly as the men grinned at her and shouted out compliments. And then Tate was standing in front of her with one of her chocolate fudge cupcakes in his hand. He stared at her unsmiling for a moment before he gestured to the field and the people.
“What are you doing here Jane?” he asked softly as his eyes bored into hers with something that looked a lot like suspicion.
Jane shrugged and looked away feeling embarrassed and guilty for some reason.
“She’s here with me Tate. I invited her and I’m so glad I did. Tristan’s on his third cupcake. Save one for me!” Meredith yelled and hurried off, leaving Jane and Tate alone.
Tate glanced after Meredith and then back at her. “You’re friends with Meredith? Since when ?” he asked, in the same voice he’d probably use during an interrogation.
Jane looked down at her feet and sighed. “Meredith and I are both on this match and mingle website. With Layla and Kit getting married, they’re always busy and I’ve been um, . . . kind of lonely I guess. I figured it was time I got out and made some new friends. If my being here at your games makes you uncomfortable, I won’t come again,” she said, shoving her hands in her pockets and wanting to die.
Tate stared at her stonily for a moment and then sighed, his face relaxing. “Sorry, it was just a shock to see you here is all. Come any time you want. And thanks for bringing the cupcakes,” he said and then walked away.
She watched him walk toward a large group of Samoan people who must be his relatives. A large older woman with black hair in a bun and a floral caftan style dress thumped him on the back before a large man with salt and pepper hair grabbed him in what looked like a painful hold but was meant to show affection obviously. Tate took it all in, turning to the side to say something to a young teenage boy. She saw him smile easily as he was enveloped by his family and frowned.
What would it be like to have such a large family? She had no mother, no father and now she was losing her sisters.
She was completely alone.
“Hi there.”
Jane turned away from watching Tate and saw a large chest. She had to look up, way up to see a large Samoan man smiling down at her. She recognized him from the game. He’d taken down half the other team. She smiled nervously up at him.
“Hi,” she said, her voice sounding squeaky.
The man grinned and gestured to the dessert table. “You the one who made the cupcakes?” he asked before taking a huge bite of one of her pineapple and coconut cupcakes.
She nodded and smiled. “That’s me. My name is Jane Kendall. What’s yours?” she asked, trying to be brave.
“I’m Kamilo, but everyone calls me Kam. We’ve got another game next week. You should come again,” he said, his brown eyes gleaming down at her as he finished the rest of the cupcake quickly.
She grinned but didn’t agree to anything. “I take it you’re a cupcake lover.”
Kam nodded slowly as he looked down into her face. “Of course. But you should come again. I think you’re cute. There’s a game this Saturday and afterwards we’re having a party at my house. We’re roasting a pig and everything. You can come with me.”
Jane’s eyes went big as she stared up at the large man. “ Wait . . . did you just ask me out?” she said, stumbling over the words.
Kam smiled down at her and tilted his head. “Sounds