Page 180 of Double Fault

The stadium clears out and since Noah will be occupied with interviews for a while, the rest of us pile into cars and head back to the hotel.

In the hallway outside our suite, Ebba ambushes me.

“You’re coming with me.”

“But—”

“Don’t worry,” Lucy says. “We’ll keep an eye on Maddie.”

Despite my protests, my pushy friend drags me back to her suite.

“Your man is taking you out,” she says as she herds me toward her bathroom. “He asked me to help you get ready.”

“He’s really gotta stop doing this,” I grumble, dragging my feet.

He likes to surprise me with fancy dinners and whatnot. I should have expected this. He’s always scheming with Ebba because he knows it’s more fun for me than getting ready on my own.

“Hop into the shower.” With a final push, she shoves me into the bathroom. “I’ll get your dress.”

With a shake of my head, I start the water. It was hot today, so she won’t get an argument from me.

She knocks on the door a moment later, and when I open it a couple of inches, she passes a garment bag along with a bag from a fancy lingerie store to me.

“Wow.” The white dress is gorgeous, fitted through the bodice and hips but flaring out before it gets to the knees.

Though it takes effort, I try not to read too much into the color. Noah and I have talked about marriage, though only in terms involving phrases like “someday.”

More than likely, he knew that if he won, he would want to take me out to celebrate. Yes, that’s much more likely.

After showering, I take the lingerie out of the bag, discovering that it’s lacy and white too. I can only get the zipper halfway up on my own, but I’m impressed with how well it fits. For a moment, I study my reflection. The garment is simple but beautiful. Even though I didn’t choose it, it’s exactly what I would have picked if I was going for elegant.

In the main space, I find Ebba watching reality TV with makeup products spread out on the coffee table in front of her.

“Zip me up the rest of the way?”

She hops up and tugs the zipper deftly. “You look gorgeous already.”

I turn back around to face her, chest getting tight. “Ebba, do you… do you know something?”

“Know something?” She tilts her head, playing coy. “You’re going out for dinner like the two of you often do.”

“Please, if you know something, will you give me a heads-up?”

Chin lifted, she points a firm finger at the chair. “Sit.”

Huffing, I obey and let her go to work on my hair and makeup.

By the time she’s done with me, I feel like a whole new person, and as I assess my reflection, I can’t help but pull her in for a tight hug. I never thought of myself as a super affectionate person, but since I met Noah and Maddie and Ebba, my heart has opened and I’ve found myself softening a bit. For so long, I closed myself off to everyone but Lucy because I was scared of being abandoned. Now, I’ve built a solid group of friends that feel more like family.

“Thank you.” Tears swim in my eyes. Ebba has truly become my best friend, right alongside Lucy. I don’t know what I’d do without her on the tournament circuit.

“You don’t have to thank me. I’d do anything for you.”

I fan my face, willing myself not to cry. “I appreciate it so much.”

Her phone chimes, and she scurries to the coffee table to check it. “There’s a car waiting for you outside.”

With one last hug, I’m off.

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