Page 39 of Drop Shot
Ebba looks around at Sabrina and I, and since we both nod in agreement she says, “Yes, we’re ready.”
The three of us give our orders and she hurries away to put everything into the system.
“I feel like I haven’t seen you as much lately.” Ebba arches a brow in my direction. “My brother is hogging all your time. What have you guys been up to?” She frowns. “Actually, please, don’t answer that.”
My eyes nearly bug out at the implication. “We mostly just watch movies and stuff,” I mumble.
“Movies,” Ebba laughs. “Like what?”
I accept my lemon water from the waitress and take a sip to give myself a moment. “A few days ago we had aJurassic Parkmarathon. We watched them all from the beginning. And then he made me dinner and I made cookies for dessert.”
Ebba cocks her head to the side, studying me. “Huh. I never would’ve imagined Elias would be so … domestic.”
“He’s full of surprises.”
A laugh bubbles out of Sabrina. “Oh, I bet.”
Ebba puts a hand over Sabrina’s mouth. “Do not imply what I think you’re implying.”
Sabrina giggles and shoves her hand away. “I might be happily engaged, but Ebba, your brother ishot.”
Ebba sighs and turns my way giving my hand that rests on the table a gentle pat. “I love you and I think you’re probably the best girl my brother could finally decide to date, but it still freaks me out. No offense.”
“None taken.” I sip my water, suddenly wishing I hadn’t said yes to spending more time together today. I’m not the best liar and if they keep talking about Elias and me, I’m likely to fumble something. “How’s wedding planning going?” I ask Sabrina, hoping to steer the conversation away from me and my fake boyfriend.
Sabrina laughs, shaking her head. “Good, I guess—but I thought the wedding was about thebride, you know? But Noah wants to do some big outlandish thing, and I’d rather keep it simple so we’re butting heads a bit.” She holds up her thumb and forefinger just a tiny space apart. “I feel like I don’t know enough people for some gigantic get together.”
“Have you told him that?” I ask.
She sighs, resting her elbow on the table and her chin in her hand. “No. He’s always so excited when he talks about it and I don’t want to burst his bubble.”
“Girl.” Ebba points a finger. “That man is obsessed with you. He only wants you happy. Burst that bubble and bring him back to reality. There’s nothing wrong with an intimate wedding.”
“That’s what I think too. Something small seems so much better.” She unfolds the napkin and places it in her lap. “I’ll talk to him about it.”
“Good,” Ebba says.
Biting her lip, Sabrina says, “I guess this is as good of a time as any to ask you if you’ll be my bridesmaids?”
“Oh my God, yes!” Ebba shrieks, throwing her arms around Sabrina’s shoulders.
When I’m silent, she turns to me. “Whimsy?” she prompts, nerves making her voice shake.
“You’re serious? You want me as a bridesmaid?”
Sabrina and I are friends, but I wouldn’t call us best friends or anything like that, so I certainly had no expectations that she’d ask me to be a part of the wedding.
“Yes,” she laughs, reaching for my hand. “Of course.”
“Absolutely.” I try to keep my emotions at bay. “I’d love to.”
Sabrina beams with happiness. When I first met her, there was a melancholy that clung to her like a little storm cloud. She wasn’t grumpy, she was always kind and quickly wore a smile when you spoke to her. It was deeper than that though. An aura, I guess. Whereas now I see no traces of it. Just pure sunshine.
“I’m so excited to have you guys up there with me.” She sniffles. “Sorry, I don’t know why I’m so emotional.”
Ebba’s lips part. “You’re not pregnant, are you?”
Sabrina nearly chokes on her water. “No. Definitely not. Give us a few more years.”
