Page 16 of Best Year Ever
Being honest with myself, I know that I’d totally overreacted when I ignored his message. The night was so incredible, and I didn’t know what to do with that. I wasn’t sure where to place my lingering thoughts about him, while I was focused on starting the tennis season strong.
Then it became a “thing.” How can you break the ice after not replying for a few days?
Yeah, I refuse to go down the road where a guy distracts me from my goals. But would a few text messages with Landon really have done that? I don’t think so.
In fact, sitting here now, the whole thing feels pretty weak of me, something I’d normally not permit for myself. Plus, he’sbeen so chill about everything today, not making things awkward.
Determined not to overthink things, I reply simply.
RORI: Yes
He “hearts” the reply, and my phone is silent for a few minutes.
In the meantime, I’m suddenly aware that the wardrobe assistant is putting me into a skimpier turquoise outfit. My cleavage is in full effect and the shorter spandex shorts show off my butt.
“Your body is insane,” Clara whispers to me as she puts my hair up into a high ponytail. “Own it."
She isn’t the only one who notices the showier second outfit. Nina scooches over towards where I’m seated and checks in. “Everything going okay? You comfortable with this outfit? John’s a professional, and the shots are looking fantastic so far.”
“Yes, I’m fine,” I reassure her, not able to explain that the only reason I would be self-conscious about revealing clothes is because I’m in the shoot with my secret one-night stand.
Nina nods and starts going over one of the proposals that she brought with her. A sports drink that rotates in different athlete’s endorsements every couple of years is offering a deal. It’s a standard offer, or so Nina attests. I start tuning out a little, chewing on whether I should write more to Landon.
“I’m really sorry that I didn’t respond to your text,” I start in a new message. “I don’t want you to think I didn’t have a great time with you. There’s a lot of pressure on me now to stay focused.”
I don’t hit send. The words just sit there.
“All done on hair,” Clara says. “But it seems like they need more time to set up the next staging, so stay put, okay?”
“Sure,” I say, and Nina continues going over another promotion opportunity—this time for a chocolate bar.
“I don’t think that’s very me,” I tell her. “Chocolate is life, butI want my partnerships to stay geared toward more health-oriented products.”
“I get it,” Nina says. “Let me check on one detail with the third proposal I brought, and then we can talk about that if we have time.” She leaves the room to make a call.
Which means that I’m alone with my cell phone and my unsent message.
My brain revisits the cause of the guilt I’ve been feeling. Was Landon hurt by my not returning the message, even though it was just a one-night stand? Would it help for me to clarify? At least then the air would be cleared, and we could be friendly in situations like today when we end up at the same events together.
The mature thing is to message him the apology,I tell myself. And so I hit send.
I let out a nervous sigh. Something about Landon shakes my confidence.
Normally with guys, I can keep even emotionally and not really care if things don’t work out. But with Landon, I want…something. Maybe it’s guilt influencing me, but I’m struggling to feel casual about how he responds.
After about ninety seconds, a message comes through.
NEW YEARS: No one understands pressure better than another professional athlete, Rori. And no worries, but I will say that I’ll never think of New Year’s without thinking of you.
I blush a little, which I hope no one notices, and type back: “Same.”
Suddenly, I remember the man at the Australian Open that looked so much like him. With everything that happened this morning, my brain didn’t click on that memory until now.
Yeah, I want to know if it was him. I don’t love unanswered questions like that.
RORI: So I thought I saw someone that looked like you at the Aussie Open. Was that you? Sorry if this seems random.
NEW YEARS: No, you’re right. My brother and I came to one of your matches on our trip. I didn’t want to bug you, but it was awesome watching you do your thing.
