Page 23 of The Game

It’s perfect, actually. No wonder Pepper’s so happy. Much better than all this tennis business.

That is one pampered pooch.

I love her expression! It’s like the When Dogs Drive cartoon.

She knows who Gary Larson is? I press the call icon on her message.

“You like Gary Larson?” I say.

Anna laughs. “Oh God yes. I’m a huge fan ofThe Far Side!”

I raise my eyebrows. She’s Russian—how does she know who Gary Larson even is? Shut up, Adam, with your assumptions. She probably has eclectic interests, and why not? Not everyone is my mother.

“You like cartoons?”

“You’d be surprised what you do for a bit of light relief when you’re resting after eight hours of training a day.”

Eight hours?No wonder she’s such a superstar. Maybe we have more in common than I thought. I could suggest a book festival or a comic con. I want to laugh at myself. Look at the nerd talking—he wants to take a famous tennis player to abookfestival.

“I was wondering,” she says, as though she’s read my mind, “whether we could schedule another event together?”

“Only if it’s a dog show,” I say. Much better idea than books, Adam.

“Oh my God, that would be my dream date.”

Now Iamlaughing. She’s so easy to please. I thought people like her were all divas. Perhaps I could find some tickets? I’d be down for that. I start scrolling on my phone.

“I could get some blow-drying tips,” she adds.

“I think we could discover all sorts of exotic dog-pampering techniques.”

She laughs. “That sounds like fun.”

“Okay, there’s something called the American Kennel Club National Championship but that’s in Florida. Let’s park that thought, and I’ll investigate some others. Did you have any other ideas?”

“I’ve got loads of invites for November and December. You could take your pick.”

My jaw drops. “What kinds of things?”

“Oh, gallery openings, parties, promotional events run by sponsors. Some of those I have to attend. They’re usually boring as hell. Movie premieres.”

Movie premieres? “Would you like to see me fight?” God, will the open-your-mouth-and-come-out-with-an-awful-idea never end?

“What?”

“I’ve got a jujitsu competition this weekend. It’s nothing special, nothing like …”

“You do jujitsu? God, I’dloveto watch that.”

“It’s very amateur. Not professional or anything.”

She gives a delighted laugh. “It sounds amazing. You’re an unusual man, Adam Miller.”

Voices reach me from the background. “Oh! Fans. Hang on.” Her voice muffles.

I wait on the line, catching some faint laughter, conversation, and a dog bark.

“Sorry, I just needed to sign some autographs. Let me get out of this salon.” Her voice mutes again.

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