“There’s nowhere else I’d rather be. But did you really have to send Fisher to get us?” I ask under my breath.
Even though I don’t advertise my former relationship with Fisher, it took Sabrina and Whimsy no time to figure it out, which at first, I didn’t confirm for either of them, but when they clearly see the writing on the wall I figure there’s no point in lying.
Sabrina laughs. “He volunteered when he heardyouwere coming. I couldn’t say no to him.”
“Just because you’re all happy and bubbly and in love doesn’t mean the rest of us need to be.”
She releases me and pulls Whimsy into a quick hug. Fisher passes by us, glancing back over his shoulder at us before he heads into the house with my brother.
“Maybe you should give him a second chance. You both look at each other like there’s still something there.”
“The chemistry between you two is intense,” Whimsy says. “Why did you break up in the first place?”
I shrug. “My brother. Noah. What other reason did we need?”
“Well, they’re not exactly enemies anymore, so what’s standing in your way now?” Whimsy adjusts her purse strap and cocks her head to the side waiting for my answer.
I could tell them about the baby, but I don’t want to. Not yet. Maybe not ever.
“Some people just aren’t meant to be,” I finally say. Changing the subject, I say, “Tell me you have snacks. I’m starving. I didn’t eat on the plane.”
Sabrina reaches for my hand and gives it a quick squeeze before letting it go. “We have plenty. Come on.”
I let out a sigh of relief that at least for the moment the conversation of Fisher has been dropped. But I know my friends, and with him lurking around it won’t be long until it comes up again.
CHAPTER 4
FISHER
“Fuck, are you serious man?”Elias says when Noah’s done filling him in on his thoughts of retiring. “You still have some good years left in you.”
Noah shrugs and pulls a tennis ball out of his pocket. “I know, and who knows what will happen, but I just wanted you to know. I don’t want to blindside you or anything. I’d understand if you want to find another doubles partner.”
Elias snorts and swipes the tennis ball from Noah’s hand. “Fat chance. I only do this with you because it’s fun.”
“How are things with you and Whimsy?” Noah asks, shielding his eyes to see the shot Elias sends over the net. “Any thoughts on proposing?”
Elias chokes. “Not yet, but maybe a year from now.” He grabs a lone ball off the ground and bounces it. “I know she’s it for me, but we don’t feel rushed.”
I swipe a bottle of water out of the cooler and busy myself with untwisting the cap and taking a large swallow of the liquid. It’s weird having my best friend, and Elias, coupled up and I’m over here with no one. There hasn’t been anyone since Ebba.
“What about you?” Elias asks. When I don’t say anything, he says, “Hey, Fisher. I’m talking to you.”
I shake my head free of memories better left in the past. “Huh?”
“I asked if you’re seeing someone?”
Dropping the water bottle back into the cooler, I squint against the sun.Where are my sunglasses?“No. I don’t have time.” It’s not a lie, but it’s not the whole truth either.
Looking around, I spot my sunglasses on the chair and scoop them up. When I turn back around with them on my face, I find Elias looking at me with a knowing smirk. I’m glad the sunglasses at least shield some of my surprise, because that smile seems to say he knows how down bad I am for his sister. Surely, it’s just my conscience psyching me out, but it’s entirely possible she filled her twin in on our relationship sometime in the past six years.
“Huh,” Elias muses. “I have some friends that might be interested if you’re looking.”
I freeze at the offer and pick up a spare racket, spinning it in my hand as a distraction more than anything else.
Is he testing me to see what I say?
“I’m not,” I reply.