Match Point Read online

  Miranda instantly warmed to him, feeling like some company was exactly what she needed. She missed Enid, and it would be nice to feel like she had a friend. She accepted gratefully and they fell into step on the gravelly lakeside path. Chris was an excellent walking companion, regaling her with hilarious anecdotes about Jackson. He told her about his life partner, Ben, and chattered easily about their wide circle of friends. She, in turn, filled him in on what she was doing in Austin and why she was feeling so sorry for herself. By the time they reached her exit, she felt she not only knew quite a lot about the town and its happenings, but that she had made a new friend.

  “Thank you for taking pity on a miserable stranger,” Miranda said, shaking his hand warmly. “I genuinely feel a lot better, and now I know where all the best pee smells are at this lake.”

  “Oh yes,” Chris said, lowering his eyebrows in mock seriousness, “anytime.” He fished in his wallet for his card and handed it to her. “Now, if you need to know where any more good pee smells are around Austin, just give me a call. Jackson has an extensive knowledge of the area.”

  “Well, I leave tomorrow, but if I ever get back here, I’ll definitely call you guys.”

  “Great! You must come for dinner. I’d like to hear more about all this tennis stuff, and meet your Jodi too.”

  “She’s not my Jodi! And that’s if she doesn’t fire me today.”

  “She won’t. And if she does, let me know. We’ll sic Jackson on her. His growl is far worse than his bite but he can still scare people who are already afraid of dogs. Is she afraid of dogs?”

  Miranda laughed, enjoying his sense of humor. “I don’t know. I’ll be sure to ask her tonight before she fires me.”

  “Make sure you do that, honey.”

  She gave Jackson one last pat goodbye and headed for the hotel, enjoying the last rays of the afternoon sunshine.

  * * *

  Miranda skipped up the hotel steps, feeling lighter with her newfound resolve. I’m just going to knock on her door and ask if we can chat, she decided. I’ll apologize for any lack of skill I’ve shown in coaching and ask her to keep me on as assistant coach. She felt it was a solid plan—straight to the point, open and honest. If Jodi didn’t respond well to that then Miranda was better off back in Junior coaching where she felt confident in her decisions and happy with her performance.

  She glanced casually over at the bar on her way through the lobby, wondering if she should order some kind of snack to take up to her room, or wait to see if Jodi wanted to get dinner together. Catching sight of a familiar profile, she stopped. Sitting alone at a table in the hotel bar was the beautiful, poised Lisa Sevonny. Miranda was unsure if she should say hello. As she considered, Jodi approached the table, dressed for a night out, drinks in hand. Jodi looked attractive in tight black jeans and a loose white shirt that showed off her tan and the tone of her arms. Maybe she was a little pale, but certainly the grumpy scowl was gone. Looks like she’s done moping, Miranda thought. Suddenly realizing that she didn’t want to be caught staring, Miranda turned to go, yelping as she crashed into a bellhop. She landed in a sprawling heap on the ground.

  “I’m so sorry, ma’am,” the bellhop cried. “Are you all right? Can I help you?” He reached for her hand and tucked an arm around her shoulders to help her up.

  “I’m fine, I’m fine,” she reassured him, standing up quickly. She brushed herself off but pain stabbed at her ankle where she had given it a twist on the way down, and her wrist throbbed. “Really, I’m okay, I promise.” She gave him a bright smile as her cheeks flamed red, and limped toward the elevators.

  “Miranda! Hey, Miranda!” Jodi’s voice carried through the lobby, catching her as she was just about to step into the lift. She pulled up short, turning to see Jodi hurrying after her through the lobby.

  “Oh, hi,” Miranda said, hoping desperately that Jodi hadn’t seen her crash into the bellhop.

  “Hey,” Jodi replied, looking at her with concern. “Are you all right? I saw you fall.”

  Miranda grimaced, tentatively rotating her stinging wrist to test it for injury. “I’m fine. My pride was the worst hit.”

  Jodi smiled at her hesitantly, her dark eyes uncharacteristically uncertain. “Are you sure? It looked quite nasty.”

  “Oh yes, nothing’s broken except my reputation at this hotel,” Miranda said with an awkward laugh.

  “Not to worry. Your reputation is more than safe with a fine and discreet establishment like this,” Jodi quipped. “Were you going to your room?”

  “Yeah, thought I might clean up a bit before dinner. What are you up to?”

  “I’m just having a drink in the bar with a friend. With Lisa, Lisa Sevonny—you remember, my publicist? Would you,” Jodi paused as if unsure of herself, “like to join us?”

  “Join you?” Miranda repeated, feeling foolishly caught off guard. She couldn’t imagine why Jodi would want her to join them.

  “Well, yeah, I mean, if you’re not feeling too mad with me from last night.” Jodi said, looking sheepish. “I was having a bit of a tantrum last night. I’m really sorry I was rude to you. I got caught up in the ego of everything and I got frustrated and scared. I, well, I hope you can forgive me?”

  “Forgive you? Yes, of course,” Miranda hurried to reassure her. “I understand you’re under a lot of pressure.”

  “I am, but most of it is self-inflicted unfortunately. I am working on it, but it does bite me in the butt sometimes, especially when I feel like I’m struggling. Again, I’m really sorry for being a bitch last night.”

  “It’s really okay. I truly do get it. I’ve been involved in tennis for a long time and I’ve seen all the different ways stress can play out. It’s not the first time I’ve seen someone get a little steamed up.”

  Jodi smiled at her gratefully. She tucked her arm through Miranda’s and steered her toward the bar.

  “So you’ll come and have a drink with us then?”

  Relief flooded Miranda when she realized that Jodi had no intention of firing her.

  “I wouldn’t want to intrude.”

  “You’re absolutely not, I’d love for you to join us.”

  Heading back into the bar, with Jodi’s arm hooked through hers, Miranda had not missed Lisa’s expression of surprise and, she could have sworn, annoyance, as Jodi pulled up an extra chair. Miranda instantly felt awkward, wishing she hadn’t agreed to join them. She wondered why Jodi had been so insistent.

  “Get you a drink, Miranda?” Jodi asked, taking a swig from her bottle of beer as she leaned over the table.

  “Sure, I’ll have a beer, thanks.”

  “Coming right up.”

  Lisa took a dainty sip from her glass of wine. The silence stretched as Jodi left the table, leaving Miranda to search for something to say. Lisa leaned back in her chair, treating Miranda to a view of her glamorous profile as she gazed about the room.

  “So, what brings you to Austin?” Miranda asked, instantly regretting it. It sounded like she was prying. Lisa arched an eyebrow at her. “I mean, obviously, well, you’re here to see Jodi, but was it just…I mean, are you here for long?” she ended lamely.

  “Just the weekend.”

  “Right.” Miranda was relieved to see Jodi headed back to the table.

  Jodi slid a beer across the table, which Miranda caught deftly. She took a long swig.

  “You look like you caught some sun today,” Jodi commented. Miranda’s hand flew up to her face, pressing her fingers against her hot cheeks.

  “I guess I did. I went for a walk around Lady Bird Lake. It’s this giant lake a few miles from here with gorgeous trails around it. Do you know it?”

  “I’ve heard of it but I’ve never been. I don’t really get to see anything when I’m on tour. I’m usually too busy with practice to do any proper sightseeing. I’ve got a list though. One day I’m going to go back to some of these places and really check them out. Do some regular tourist stuff.”

  “Oh, you
should,” Miranda answered. “I haven’t had a chance to travel much, so these last few weeks have been a bit of an eye-opener for me.”

  Lisa gave her a pitying look. “That’s a shame, travel is such an education. It really takes you to another level.”

  Miranda was glad the dim lighting hid her hot blush. She took another long swig of her beer, belatedly realizing she probably should have eaten something before she started drinking.

  “Well, you can make up for it now,” Jodi said kindly. “We’ve got a few miles to cover over the next couple of months. Have you been to Canada? Vancouver’s next week.”

  “I haven’t, actually. I’ve always wanted to go there.”

  “Oh goodness,” Lisa interrupted, her face a picture of studied concern, “do you have a passport? You know you need a passport to go to Canada.”

  Despite her irritation, Miranda smiled sweetly. “Yes, I’ve got one. Enid and I actually went to Mexico a few summers back. I haven’t had a chance to travel much but I have done a little.”

  “Wow, Mexico, huh?” Jodi leaned back in her chair. “That must have been fun.”

  “It was awesome,” Miranda replied, smiling as she remembered their whirlwind trip. “I’d love to go back there.”

  “Oh, Jodi,” Lisa chimed in. “You simply must come with me to Maui next summer. Friends of mine have the most divine beach house right on the cliff’s edge, overlooking the Pacific Ocean. The sunsets are quite spectacular.”

  Miranda took another draught of her drink and wondered whether she should order something to eat or escape back to her room for room service.

  “Sounds lovely,” Jodi answered noncommittally, sipping her own drink. “I’m hoping to be in full swing with tennis touring next summer though.”

  “Oh, of course, it’s great in winter too. A perfect little romantic hideaway spot.”

  Just as Miranda was about to push back her chair and make her exit, Jodi’s phone rang.

  “Sorry, I’ll just grab this,” Jodi said quickly, checking the display. “Back in a sec.”

  Oh God, Miranda thought, as she watched Jodi stroll across the lobby, phone pressed up to her ear. Alone again. She smiled awkwardly at Lisa, hoping her eyes weren’t betraying the dismay she felt.

  Lisa’s eyes narrowed as she returned the smile. She’s beautiful, Miranda thought, but she’s hard work to talk to. She wondered what Jodi saw in her. “Sounds like things haven’t been going so well for you in the coaching department,” Lisa said casually, looking at her from under long, innocent lashes.

  Miranda’s chest tightened. She’s beautiful, but she’s mean. She reached for her beer but realized the bottle was empty. She shrugged. “This tournament hasn’t been the best, it’s true,” Miranda replied. “We’ve been working on some new shots and I guess we’ve had some teething problems. But I think we can still pull it all together.”

  “Oh, I’m sure Jodi can do it,” Lisa answered, her tone implying that she wasn’t so sure that Miranda could.

  “I’m sure she can too,” Miranda agreed, ignoring the implication. Where the hell was Jodi? She looked over at the lobby and saw her, perched on the edge of a couch with an earnest look on her face. She seemed engrossed in the conversation.

  “What Jodi really needs is a serious coach like Jason. I hope for her sake he won’t be away much longer. At this point in her career she can’t afford to be settling for anything second rate just because she’s too nice to say anything.”

  Lisa’s message was clear and Miranda felt a wave of nausea. Was this what Jodi thought? Was she just waiting for the right moment to let her down gently?

  “I need to eat something,” Miranda mumbled, rubbing her temples. “Too much sun and now beer on an empty stomach.” She smiled wanly at Lisa.

  “Jodi and I are going out for dinner soon. I hear the room service is good at this hotel though.”

  “Yeah.” Miranda almost laughed out loud at the obviousness of Lisa’s suggestion. “Maybe you can tell Jodi good night for me. I really think I’d better head upstairs now.”

  “Of course,” Lisa replied sweetly. “Lovely to see you again.”

  Miranda beat it from the table, waving to Jodi that she was leaving as she made for the elevator. “I’m going to call it a night,” she called. “See you tomorrow.”

  Jodi looked surprised but waved in return, as Miranda stepped into the elevator, floating up to her room on the edge of the beer and her empty stomach.

  They hadn’t mentioned her departure as they sat on the plane the next morning, taxiing down the runway toward home.

  “How was the rest of your evening?” Miranda asked casually, thumbing through the airplane magazine as the plane prepared for takeoff.

  “Fine thanks, just dinner and an early night. You?”

  “Same.” Miranda replaced the magazine and settled back into her seat. “I didn’t have the best sleep though. Think I might try to catch a bit more now.” She didn’t want to think about Jodi having an early night with Lisa. She couldn’t imagine them snuggling into bed together—Lisa seemed too fashionable to snuggle. She closed her eyes trying to find a comfortable spot for her head on the little foldout headrest.

  “Here, have my pillow,” Jodi offered. “I’m not using it.”

  “Thanks.” Miranda met Jodi’s soft brown eyes with her own. “You sure you don’t want it?”

  “Yeah, I’m going to read my book. You have it.” Jodi tucked her feet up onto the seat, her knee pressing lightly against Miranda as she opened her book.

  Miranda slipped the pillow under her head and closed her eyes, instantly aware of the hint of Jodi’s perfume from the pillow. She felt the warmth of Jodi’s arm pressing lightly against hers on the seat rest, and imagined for a moment they were lying in the same bed. Her pulse quickened and her blood felt thick and hot as she imagined their heads sharing the pillow, bodies casually intertwined. Quickly she pulled the pillow out from under her head and hugged it to her body, shifting in her seat to break the thought. Please don’t go there, she thought. Think about something else. Anything! The smell of burnt coffee drifted up the aisle as the hostesses made their way through the cabin.

  Miranda opened her eyes and stared out the window. She would never be able to fall asleep like this. She might as well just have a coffee.

  Chapter Eleven

  Jodi stretched out across the bed, freeing her arm from the covers to adjust the pillow. The pull of sleep stayed with her as she felt her body slowly wake. She wasn’t quite ready to open her eyes just yet. It felt like morning but it felt early. Could she hear birds? She stayed still, waiting for the faint birdcalls to filter through to her, through the thick hotel glass. That was the problem with living in a hotel. It was such a climate-controlled environment you couldn’t rely on the normal signs to let you know when it was an appropriate time to wake up, or go to bed for that matter. The sun didn’t stream in through the cracks in her curtains because there were no cracks in these dark and heavy, expensively made hotel drapes. The birds didn’t wake her with their incessant chatter because the tinted, soundproof glass kept them at bay.

  Still, her body felt heavy and she didn’t want to open her eyes; she stayed floating between night and day for a little longer. I should look for a place, she thought as she drifted, dismissing it as quickly as she had thought it, as she had done on many similar mornings in the past few months. Not ready yet. The problem was, she didn’t know where she wanted to be. Jodi loved living in the city but it did get a bit claustrophobic after a while, and she loved living further out, where there was space and trees and nature, but she couldn’t imagine doing it by herself. So she stayed where she was, waiting for a reason to compel her to move.

  Money was really no object. She had invested her previous winnings extremely well due to some sound financial advice, but she mostly lived on the interest of the inheritance she had received at eighteen years old when Nan had died. Jodi remembered the grief she had felt as she sat in the lawyer’s
office, holding tightly to Ally’s hand, while the will had been explained to them. She hadn’t listened, not caring what the lawyer was saying, too overwhelmed by the loss of the woman who had raised them like a mother since the death of their own.

  The money had been a shock to Jodi and she hadn’t really known what to do with it at eighteen.

  “You take mine, Al,” Jodi said. “I’m no good with this kind of stuff. You have it all.”

  “Don’t be ridiculous,” her sister had insisted, “you’re keeping yours and you’ll be grateful for it in years to come.”

  “I am grateful for it, I just don’t want it. I want Nan, not her money.”

  “Well, honey,” Ally gave her a tight squeeze, “we can’t have Nan. So do the right thing by her and look after her money. She left it to us on purpose.”

  When the pain had subsided enough for Jodi to contemplate her future, she had been grateful. Time and time again, it had allowed her to devote herself to training hard, to employing the best coaching teams, to travel to tournaments while she worked on her ranking, and to live with ease while she honed her skills. Thank you, Nan, she silently acknowledged for the umpteenth time, sending a kiss up to the great unknown. I couldn’t have done any of this without you.

  The rude buzz of her mobile phone broke her reverie and she groaned, burying her head in her pillow for a moment before she rolled over and opened her eyes. “Who is calling me?” she grumbled, stretching out her hand to grope around for her phone. Squinting, Jodi recoiled from the overly bright display in the darkness of her room. Her eyes swam into focus as she saw Jason’s name.

  “Jase?” Jodi answered with a croak.

  “Oh no, sorry, did I wake you? I thought you’d have your phone off if you were still sleeping.”

  “I guess I forgot to switch it off. I’m awake though. I was just drifting. How are you? How’s Sal?”

  “Good, we’re both great actually. Sal’s test results finally came back and she’s got a kidney infection so they’ve given her some antibiotics. Apparently they’ll clear up the infection quickly and she shouldn’t have any more pain. She’s already starting to feel better.”