“And?” Theo prompts.
“And…she’s really talented. And obviously smart.”
“And?” Holly this time.
“And insanely beautiful, with these eyes that just…” I take off the baseball cap I’m wearing and run a hand through my hair, then look at my two closest friends. “Could I really be thinking about doing this?”
Holly shrugs. “The way I see it, if you do it, you get to know her. Spend time with her. See if there’s potential for something real to happen between you. Maybe it will. Maybe it won’t. But at least you tried. If you don’t, she leaves. Then you’ll never know.”
“Do you think Miles would actually be chill with you dating her?” Theo asks. “Like, if you went through with it and it turned into something? He has pretty intense big brother energy.”
“If they’re married, would he even have a say?” Holly says. “I never understand when guys are weird about their sisters dating. Do you want them to be happy or not?”
“I mean, Miles and Carter are teammates,” Theo argues. “If things go south and someone gets hurt, it’d be hard not to let that impact team dynamics.”
Holly shrugs. “I don’t know. Seems like he gave up his right to be mad about anything when he asked Carter to marry her in the first place.”
“Okay, but what if it’s terrible? What if I marry her and three months in, I know it isn’t going to work?”
“I mean, we’re on the road half the time anyway,” Theosays. “You deal until your year is up, then you split and move on, knowing you still did a really nice thing for someone.”
“On the flip side, what if it’s great?” Holly says. “Maybe you really enjoy each other, and then you’ve got this great relationship you didn’t even have to work for. I’m just saying, the right kind of love doesn’t come along every day. If you feel even a fraction of potential with her, I’d do whatever I could to chase it.” There’s a weight to his words that lands differently, and I know he must be thinking about Claire. About the kind of relationship he had with her.
“Honestly, when was the last time you went on a date anyway?” Theo says. “Your life will barely change. You’re already looking for houses. Now you’ll have someone living in it while you’re out of town. She could keep your cat alive. Seems like a win-win.”
“You’re buying a house?” Holly asks.
I glance over at my brother. He took the news better than I thought he would, probably because I only sort of hinted at the real reasons behind my decision. How do I tell him he’s the most important person in my life while also admitting I really need some space?
“He thinks I’m a terrible neighbor,” Theo says, and I’m relieved to hear the levity in his voice.
“You are a terrible neighbor. This morning, I found the remnants ofyoursmoothie stuck tomykitchen floor.”
Theo grimaces. “You’re the one who gave me a key. It’s not my fault your fridge is always way better stocked than mine.”
“It’s absolutely your fault,” Holly says. “Just go to the grocery store.”
“Thank you,” I say, happy for the validation. If anyone has earned the right to call Theo out, it’s Holly. When we weretraded from the Appies and called up to the NHL, we lived with him and Claire for six months until we found our footing with the team. We stayed until right before Charlie was born.
“The point is,” Theo says, “if you’re getting a house anyway, I bet she could help you decorate the place. She’s an artist. She probably has great taste.”
“I’m not marrying her so she can decorate my house.”
“And take care of your cat,” Theo adds, like this will be the thing that tips the scales.
“But youwillmarry her so she doesn’t have to move back to Canada?” Holly asks.
I can’t believe I’m even thinking it. But I might.
7
SARAH
It’slate on a very boring Sunday afternoon when I look out my living room window and see Anna flying toward the pool house. Well, maybe notflying.She doesn’t move anywhere very quickly these days, but there’s definitely a sense of urgency I haven’t seen in a while.
I get up and meet her at the door. “What’s got you moving so fast?” I say.
She doesn’t answer as she barrels past me and into the living room. I shut the door and follow behind her. Her energy is almost frantic, and it has me worried something has happened.
