Bri quirked a brow. “Like about who’s getting married next?”
Rachael rolled her eyes. “Please. I’m happy to live in sinful debauchery.” She stretched her arms high. “Also, I’m pretty sure Ryan’s waiting until they win a Super Bowl.”
“I felt really bad,” I admitted. “When you were telling me about Loft, and Ryan was all mad. Did that work out?”
She grinned wickedly. “It always works out. Working it out’s the best part.”
Briana pushed Rachael with her foot. “Look at you.”
I laughed, and felt giddy and bubbly and pleased.
My roommates were also blatantly pleased. Lucy, in particular, was thrilled. “This means you’ll get married and then I’ll have an unlimited supply of football players. This is awesome. You can draw up the list for the next dinner party.”
“Whoa, there.” I held up a hand and grinned. “Maybe a little too fast.”
Jasmine took it in stride, as she took most things. “Cool. Glad that worked out. You guys are a good match.”
Sabeen asked, “Are you happy?”
“I am happy.”
She smiled her sly smile. “I’m glad.”
Of course, all three of them were bound to be especially glad because it meant that with me spending half my time at my boyfriend’s, they were all bound to snatch a little more privacy or shower time.
Shoshi was the only one who sat me down, back at the same Alice and Wonderland restaurant where we’d had brunch the first day. She delicately sipped at her jasmine tea. “All right. I’ll admit he seems pretty sincere.”
I raised my brows. “Pretty sincere? He risked his career for me.”
She snorted. “No publicity’s bad publicity. He could have found another team like that.”
I smiled fondly at her, because I knew she was only trying to look out for me. “Maybe.”
Her eyes widened and focused behind me, and then she switched back to me. “Are you serious?”
I tilted my head up so Abe could tilt his down and kiss me. He grinned at my cousin as he unwrapped his scarf and sat down. “Hey, Shosh.”
She narrowed her eyes at him. “I’m still telling you. Don’t let her down.”
He swung an arm around my shoulders and gave me a private look. “I don’t intend to.”
“Hmph.” She studied us carefully, and then let out an elaborate sigh and waved to summon one of the waitresses. “We’re going to need another menu.” She looked back at Abe. “I suppose you can stay.”
I talked to Cindy and Gabi on separate occasions. They reacted exactly how your oldest friends are supposed to act: thrilled and delighted and shocked and pleased. They oohed in all the right spots and said the right things and basically did exactly what you want your best friends to do after your boyfriend makes a grand gesture.
And as for our parents... Well, there was nothing to be said about our parents that hadn’t already been said. Perhaps they’d always believed we’d be together, in the end.
Parents were wise that way.
* * *
After the Super Bowl, after the Pro Bowl, some of the members of the NFL finally got a bit of rest. Tanya gave me a week off, too—or not off, really, we were never off, but out of the office.
Abe and I caught a flight home immediately and were greeted at the airport by all four of our parents, who made such a fuss over us I began to think my privacy might have been better respected back in New York. Even Mrs. Krasner couldn’t help a moment of glee when we were over that Friday for Shabbat. She smiled brightly at me. “I was right then, wasn’t I?”
I smiled at her, and then turned my face up to her grandson’s. “Yes, you were.”
That weekend, we waved goodbye to our families and packed our bags for a three-night trip on the other side of the Bay. Because it really wasn’t fair to make us spend all our nights apart.