Page 92 of Someone Like You

She rolls her eyes, looking more like a teen than a twenty-six-year-old who’s about to get married.

‘Seriously. You know I love her…’ she starts. ‘But, Gaby, you have no idea.’

I have some idea but say nothing, letting her unload.

‘I’ve lost count of how many times Brian’s asked if we can elope.’

‘You still could,’ I suggest, my brows raised.

We lock eyes for a beat and burst out laughing.

‘Can you imagine? I’d be the only bride in history to have my wedding and my funeral on the same day.’ She lowers her voice and looks towards the kitchen door. When she’s sure of the all-clear, she says, ‘I overheard your mom tell mine that $100,000 was a lot of money to spend on a wedding.’

‘Wait,what?’

She nods solemnly. ‘And you know me – I’d be happy getting married at Bayview Park, looking out at Puget Sound, then having a barbecue in the backyard.’

‘Kinda hard to have a barbecue in December,’ I say.

‘Mm-hmm. I’m sure you’ll be shocked to hear that a Christmas wedding was Mom’s idea.’

‘Oh, I— Actually, Iamshocked. Isn’t Christmas your favourite holiday?’

‘Uh-uh. It’s Mom’s.Myfavourite holiday is Halloween.’

‘Ha-ha! Now that would have been a cool wedding theme.’

‘Tell me about it. Anyway, I’m beyond caring now. I just want to be married already.’

‘Brian’s a good guy,’ I say – and I mean it. I’ve only met him a few times but he’s a total sweetheart.

‘Yeah,’ she says with a grin. ‘Even Dad likes him – despite the whole Oakland As thing.’

‘I warned Raff – I told him if he hearsanymention of baseball when Uncle Marv’s around, he should take cover.’

‘I like him,’ she says cryptically.

‘Your dad? I should hope so if he’s paying for a $100,000 wedding.’

‘No, you dork –Raff. You two are so sweet together.’

‘Togeth— We’re not a couple, Mon.’

She shakes her head at me, then breaks into a grin. ‘Notyet.’

‘No, I’m serious. Raff’s just…’The man I am falling for more and more each day. ‘We’refriends– that’sall.’

‘Mm-hmm. That’s what I used to say about Brian before I finally admitted I’d fallen in love with him.’

She regards me intently.Howis she the little girl who used to choreograph dance routines to Beyoncé in her PJs?

I check to make sure Raff hasn’t snuck up on us while we’ve been talking. ‘Is it that obvious?’ I ask her quietly.

‘I wouldn’t sayobvious. I doubt your parents know. They wouldn’t have made you bunk together if they knew you had feelings for him. And Raff certainly hasn’t cottoned on yet.’

‘Hecan’tfind out, Mon. He’s just started seeing someone.’

‘I don’t get it. If he’s dating someone, then how come he’s here with you?’

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