Page 5 of Sparks Like Ours

“And I’m not.”

Holly balked and tossed her bouncy dark hair that fell just shy ofher chin. That bouncy hair was the most expressive hair Elle had ever seen. Sheenvied Holly for it. “You’re so hard on yourself that I don’t know what to dowith you. I want to smack you in your head over it. Do you know how desperatelyI would kill someone to surf like you do, you little surfing prodigy?”

“Yes,” Elle said glumly. “I should shut up, but I can’t. I’m thatcompetitive. My off switch is broken.”

“No explanation needed. I’ve met you.”

She and Holly had grown up together in San Diego, surfing everyminute they had available to them before moving to LA just out of high school.Elle had always been the stronger surfer and had been good enough to pursueprofessional surfing at just sixteen. Holly had not. So while Elle hit upwhatever tournaments her parents could scrape together the funds for, Holly hadentered the world of finance, starting off as a teller at a bank and climbingthe ranks to loan officer. Elle might possess the flashier lifestyle, but sheadmired Holly and the place she’d carved for herself in the world. Solid.Stable. Easy. Plus, she didn’t have to travel the way Elle did.

“You’re a wave weasel is what you are,” Holly said, poking her inthe ribs.

Elle grimaced at the childhood nickname Holly had assigned her andsquirmed from her touch with a squeal. “I’m not a wave weasel. That’s somethingyou made up. I keep telling you.”

“Don’t argue. You’re a wave weasel and always will be.” Hollyglanced at her watch. “Is it after four? It is. You know what that means?Rosé!”

“Four feels early when I’m in training.”

“Well, that’s dumb. It’s not. I’ll snag two glasses.”

Elle shrugged. “You never listen to me. I’m the levelheaded one!”

“And I’m the fun one! So pipe down.”

“Hey!” Elle called after her. “I’m fun. C’mon!”

“Once in a while. Not as often as you used to be.”

Elle bristled at the probably accurate statement. Holly told itlike it was. Yes, she’d been wildly focused on her career and the mediaresponsibilities that came with it. Wasn’t her fault the requests kept pouringin. She knew how to work the press, to smile in just the right way or toss herhair when she laughed. They were skills like any other that she’d developedover time, especially once she learned how valuable they could be. When Hollyreturned to Elle’s deck with two glasses of rosé, Elle sent her a pout. “Am Ireally that bad? Please tell me I’m not. I don’t want to become boring and setin my ways.”

Holly stared at her. “You’re an obsessed zombie hell-bent on worldsurf domination. You’re admittedly exhausted from it all, but you won’t giveyourself a break. I, your much more carefree friend, miss the version of youthat lived a little more. Allowed yourself a night out on the town.”

“I go out on the town.”

“You have a million dinners with acquaintances. It’s what you do.Everyone knows your name, but how many people actually know you? Let me ask youthis, when was the last time you went on a date?”

“I don’t date,” Elle said. “Look at my life. It never works. Whenwould I date?”

“Therein lies the problem. You’re turning into a spinster.” Sheshuddered. “There are cobwebs on your lady parts. Allow me to remedy this awfultrend and set you up with a buddy of Dash’s from the bank. Finance guys arehot. We can double. Won’t you allow me this pleasure?”

She didn’t love the idea, but she fought the urge to decline.“What are Dash’s friends like?”

“Probably a little like Dash, but he’s a decent catch. You likeDash.”

“Of course I like Dash,” she said, already dreading the idea.Holly and Dash had dated casually for the last six months. The guy wasgood-natured enough, if a little boring for Elle’s liking. Plus, the men Ellehad dated in the past were often intimidated by her or interested only becauseshe was well known. There didn’t seem to be a lot of middle ground, which waswhy she’d shelved the process altogether. There were other things to focus on.More exciting things.

“You’re never going to find the right one if you don’t look forhim.”

“Fine. Set it up,” Elle huffed. Though her expectations weredialed to low, at least no one could accuse her of not trying.

Holly took a moment. She turned her head and regarded Ellesuspiciously out of the corner of her eye. “That was too easy. Is the othershoe about to drop?”

“I only have one proverbial shoe. You made a valid point, andguess what? I listen to you.”

“And you won’t cancel, even ifTheTonight Showcalls?”

This was hard. “I won’t cancel.”

“And when you marry this guy and have eighteen children you’llthank Aunt Holly and make everyone toast to her and her matchmaking ways.”

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