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Yeah. That worked out great.

This is the part where I’m supposed to finally learn something. That when help shows up, I’m supposed to take it.

“Thank you, Theo.” I wipe a bead of sweat from my temple. “I’d hug you right now if I weren’t a walking biohazard. Your next meal at Lina’s is on me.”

He chuckles and returns my spare racquet to me.

“I mean it,” I insist, shouldering my bag. “If there’s ever anything you need, promise me you’ll ask. I owe you big time.”

He shoves his hands into his pockets, looking uncharacteristically hesitant. “I do need your help again.”

“Kaori?”

He nods. “I’d like to take her to dinner. But I don’t know where we should go.”

A slow smile spreads across my face. “More dating advice, huh? I’m surprised you didn’t ask Lina.”

His expression turns pained. “I can’t risk her saying anything to Leon. Or the whole office will know.”

I almost laugh. But he isn’t wrong. Lina and Leon aren’t exactly the types who can keep a secret. “Do you remember the place where you took Lina for her birthday? The one with the view of the Disney World castle? Chateau Pembrook?”

He nods. “I do.”

“Take her there.”

“Is it not too . . . touristy?” he asks, sounding genuinely concerned as he falls into step with me toward the gate.

“Nope. I’ve seen Chip and Dale keychains attached to Kaori’s purse, which means she loves Disney. If the food doesn’t sell the place to her, just make sure you get a table with a view.”

“Right, then, I will.”

We make our way back toward the clubhouse. The sun is finally starting to dip. As I approach the entrance, I see the crowd. It’s a sea of visors and athletic gear, everyone pressed shoulder to shoulder around the main whiteboard. The air is thick with low, anxious murmurs.

The draw is up.

I slip inside. My hands start to shake as I squeeze past a couple players, muttering a quick “sorry.” I lift my hand to the board, my heart hammering against my ribs, and run my finger down the list.

K. Keller vs. E. Youngblood, Court 4, 9:00 a.m.

I turn and look to my left. The girl with the AirPods is leaning against the wall across the room, arms crossed. She doesn’t look surprised. She just meets my gaze and lets out a slow smirk.

I suddenly feel like I’ve taken a serve to the solar plexus. Out of everyone in the bracket, it had to be her. From our brief practice session, she knows my patterns and how fragile my right ankle is.

I have less than twelve hours to figure out how to beat a woman who knows my weaknesses and where it’ll hurt the most.

Fifteen

The scoreline feels like a jagged pill I’m forcing myself to swallow: 4-6, 5-4. I’m up a game in the second set, but that doesn’t inspire much confidence. I was ahead in the first set, too, until Elena Youngblood stormed through the final three games to steal it.

I take a long swig of ice-cold water, letting it sting my throat before pouring the rest of the bottle over the back of my neck.

This is only the opening round of the Coral Bay ITF tournament, but it already feels like a season-defining match. If I lose, it’s back to Orlando and wondering how much longer I can keep chasing my dream.

I glance toward the bleachers, searching automatically for Zoe. She’s tucked beneath a floppy sunhat with a fanny pack full of medical supplies slung across her shoulder. Next to her sits Theo in a crisp white dress shirt with the sleeves rolled up, Panama hat, and sunglasses looking like he wandered over from a yacht club.

The seat Zoe saved for Max is still empty.

I try not to read too much into it. The match started almost an hour ago. Plenty of things could’ve delayed him. He confirmed he was coming when I texted him last night.