My lips twitch and I scrub my hand over my jaw to hide my growing smile from her. “I’m not hoping.”
She bursts into laughter again. “Your left eye twitched again.”
“Maybe I just have allergies?” I counter, trying not to laugh too.
“In the desert?”
“Allergies exist everywhere. Even the desert.”
She laughs another time, and I find myself smiling and wondering how I can get her to laugh again, even if it’s at my expense. Her laughter is my favorite sound in the world, and I haven’t heard it enough the past few months. It’s a good thing her ex was already taken care of when I learned he attacked her and Whimsy or else I’d be in prison for killing the motherfucker for thinking he could put his hands on them.
Outside, the six of us pile into a waiting minivan. I end up in the front seat beside the driver, and despite having that seat Ialmost lose the meager contents of my stomach all over the guy because he drives like a maniac.
When the car pulls up outside another hotel, I can’t get out of the car fast enough. Noah laughs as he stumbles out and claps his hand on my back. “You okay, man?”
“I think we almost died twelve different times.”
His smile has his eyes crinkling at the corners. “Don’t be so dramatic. It was only like eight times.”
I chuckle and rub the back of my neck. “I’m not sure I can eat after all that.”
“You’ll be fine.” He takes Sabrina’s hand. “Don’t be a Debby Downer.”
I shake my head, surprised when Ebba comes to a stop beside me. “Are you okay?” The genuine concern in her dark gaze has something stirring inside me.
“I’ll survive,” I reply.
“I didn’t know you still got car sick so easily,” she comments as we follow behind the other two couples.
“It’s not as a bad as it used to be.” I shrug. “But that guy drove like a maniac.”
“He did,” she agrees.
When we’re seated at the restaurant, it’s natural that, again, Ebba and I end up next to each other. It’s not like the other couples are going to sit separate to keep us from having to be beside each other, which works to my advantage.
“What have you been up to?” I ask after drinks and small plates have been ordered.
Ebba turns to me, arching a brow. “Small talk—is this what we’re doing?”
“Why not?” I unfold my napkin and lay it in my lap. She makes me nervous, so it’s nice when I can do something with my hands.
The others are engrossed in conversation and not paying us a bit of mind, so I take a risk and scoot another inch closer to Ebba. Her eyes narrow on the movement, and she shakes her head.
“I never wanted to stop talking to you,” I remind her.
Her eyes close and she visibly swallows. “Can we not do this right now?”
“When?” I press. “Whencanwe do it? I think we’re long overdue for an adult conversation about this, don’t you?”
Her shoulders curl inward. “Fisher, I…” Her lips scrunch. “I’m going to the restroom.” She shoves away from the table and silence descends as the rest of the table watches her go.
“Did you say something to upset my sister?” Elias asks in an accusing tone.
Ignoring him, I stand and adjust my sleeves. “I’m going to check on her.”
As I’m walking away, I hear Noah mutter, “What the fuck just happened?”
I find the restrooms easily enough and hang around near them so I can spot Ebba when she leaves.