Chapter 20
Twenty
The table was small. Delilah hadn’t noticed at first, but now Cassie could feel her knee nearly brushing against hers under it. She shifted slightly. It was weird to socialise with a client; she didn’t need to make it any weirder.
Except that Delilah didn’t quite feel like a client at this particular moment.
She’d surprised Cassie again, not just with that fluke of a backhand yesterday, but now, with her honest questions, her ridiculous cinnamon monstrosity of a drink, the way she tried not to smile too hard, as if any hint of amusement might give too much away.
But now that she’d moved past the breakdown section of the tennis process, Cassie could see she was a very bright type of person.
Not optimistic, exactly. Just possessing a certain brightness. A warmth. A spark.
Cassie stirred her coffee once, though there was nothing to stir.
‘Why don’t you train real players?’ Delilah asked.
God. If she only knew.
Real players were unbearable now. The reflexes, the precision, the effortless grace… Cassie had lost all that to a damaged piece of connective tissue. She couldn’t tolerate the reminder.
Cassie considered telling Delilah all of this, saying I can’t be near the ones who play for real. It’s too painful. Every fluid swing, every perfect serve is a mirror of what I lost. I want it again so badly it hurts.
But she didn’t. She couldn’t.
Instead, she tried to move the conversation in Delilah’s direction. She wanted to learn about her anyway. The role.
‘You kind of look like her,’ Cassie told her honestly.
Delilah looked slightly startled. Cassie suddenly understood how her comment might be interpreted. Unprofessionally.
‘I should get going,’ Cassie said. ‘I need to call a few clients to tell them not to bother coming today. And you’ve got homework.’
‘Homework?’ Delilah squinted.
‘Watch some doubles. Left-court coverage.’
Delilah gave her a moderate salute. ‘OK, boss.’
Cassie stood, raising an eyebrow. ‘I prefer coach.’
Delilah followed, slinging her gym bag over her shoulder.
At the door, they both paused, a little awkward.
‘Same time tomorrow?’ Delilah asked too casually.
Cassie hesitated, then nodded. ‘Yeah. We’ll make up for today.’
Delilah groaned. ‘You’re gonna kill me.’
As Delilah turned to go, Cassie let herself watch her walk away. Just for a moment. Then she shook her head, stuffed her hands into her jacket pockets, and started walking the other way.