The Rebound Game

Twenty Four

Any sane person would understand that Saturday is the one day that people reward themselves for working their asses off during the week and sleep in. But not Annie.

I suppose I should have gotten over that fact by now but I somehow expect her to at least make her first phone call at seven. I stare at the phone debating whether she would stop calling if I reject the call. I had no plans to go for my run so a phone call at six fucking a.m is an unwelcome distraction.

I sit up and pull the duvet over my freezing shoulders. I should never have slept on the couch in my jeans. It’s seriously uncomfortable not to mention the belt is leaving unattractive marks on my skin.
   
 At this rate, I will never wear a bikini again.
  
"Please tell me you fucking have something important worth disrupting my sleep for other than your ideas for my bridesmaid dress," I answer finally.

 "You are my favorite sister I can call anytime I want," Annie singsongs.

 "That's it. I am hanging up," I say meaning every word of it.

 "Fiiiine," she says in a defeated tone. "I have a question for you. What are you doing today?"

 "I am not sure. Why do you ask?" I ask and pull a hoodie over my head. I get up and head to the kitchen to fetch a glass of water. I am thirsty which is strange considering I am not nursing a hangover.

 It must be the fries I ate last night.

  "Just answer the damn question. I want to make plans to spend the day with you. Like I said, you are my favorite sister."

 I have a feeling I will not like her idea of an outing so I don't take the bait. Annie could be dragging me for wedding dress shopping for all I know.
        
Okay, I admit Oliver is part of the reason why I am not thrilled with this but still.

 "Annabelle, what exactly do you mean by spending the day with me? Don't think I have not noticed how you like to refer to me as your favorite sister when you want a huge favor. Spill."

 "For a psychologist you are awfully cynical. Give me some credit."  In the background, I can hear the sound of a tap running and cutlery drop in the sink. She must be up preparing breakfast this early. This Justin guy is one lucky man.

 “For a bride to be, you seem to have so much time to spare." I take a huge gulp of the water and hope I will not get an infection from drinking tap water.

  "Ha-ha. I do, I mean we finally settled for March. It's six months away. But that's not what I am calling about. Justin's old friends and cousins are coming over for lunch. You need to meet Ezra, his college best friend. I have interacted with him on very few occasions but he is charming, sexy and confident. You know what's better? He is single. Ezra is so totally your type. What do you say about lending me a hand in the kitchen and then well, I'll see to it that you get properly introduced to one another?"

 I stop to obsess about her statement for a moment. I would love to meet this Ezra guy. I mean he sounds nice and but at the same time the description fits that of a bad boy. But couldn't this wait for another day? Say, next month? Or even better, Annie could arrange for a blind date.

 I am so not ready to be in a room with strangers. As the hosts younger sister, it’s my obligation to be on the guests’ beck and call and make endless trips to the kitchen to get them refreshments. What's worse is that I have to make small talk with the ladies and pretend to know why applying gel on your baby hair is bad form.
   
"How do I know if this is not your wicked plan to get me to slave in your kitchen just for the guy to take my number out of politeness and never call?" I can't resist teasing her to buy more time.

 "I am not the selfish one, you brat. Seriously Katie, you need to have fun. You are single for crying out loud. Unless you are telling me that you got back together with Oliver, then I am not taking no for an answer," Annie says with as much determination she can summon.