Page 87 of Matchmaking the Rival

"It's great to meet you guys." She looked around, taking it all in. "This is a fabulous place, Nick."

"I'm glad you think so," Nick replied. "If you want a membership, just say the word, and I'll make it happen. On the house, of course."

"Wow. Generosity is a family trait, I see."

"No, no. Everyone else is okay, but I take the cake," Nick said proudly.

“You guys have nicknames for each other? Are you the cocky one or something?" Meredith asked.

Maddox burst out laughing. Leo jerked his head back in surprise.

“I was hoping to meet you soon. You were all Gran talked about at Thanksgiving. And Friday too,” Nick said.

I frowned as I was inspecting my racket. "You went to dinner this Friday?"

"We go sometimes on Fridays," Maddox mentioned.

I glanced at Spencer through the racket. "Since when?"

"I don't know. A while. You guys didn't know, huh?" Leo said.

"I think it's time we tell our grandmother that we're all grown men. She doesn't have to tiptoe around us," Nick said on a chuckle.

“Yeah, tell that to Jake. Or to Colton," Maddox added.

"Come on, man. That's not fair," Spencer said.

"Yeah. Jake's come around,” I replied. Though Colton hadn't yet. “Why doesn't she just make one dinner on Saturday and have us all over?"

“I suspect she thinks if we all hang out too often, things would escalate," Maddox said. "Now come on. Let's start the game."

"Am I playing first or Spencer?" I asked.

"You go first. I'm just going to stick around, maybe keep Meredith company," Spencer said. "And when they kick your ass, I'll take your place."

"Babe, you can go look around the club. You don't have to stay here," I told her.

“I want to. Just for a set or two, maybe. I want to see you play. Or, if Spencer is to be believed, get your ass kicked."

I scoffed. “That won’t happen.”

Famous last words.

I lost the first set spectacularly. I’d never played so badly.

"You’re on a losing streak," Spencer announced as we all took a break and headed to the juice bar upstairs.

"And I thought I might bring you luck," Meredith said, shimmying her hips. "I think I’m better off doing something else if I distract you that much." She batted her eyelashes. "Although you losing on my account is good for my ego."

Maddox laughed. "God, you're funny."

"I'm glad you think so," she said.

“No wonder Gran likes you,” Leo added. “Although two successes in her matchmaking is giving her ideas for all of us.”

“No one else in your family is seeing anyone?” She sounded stunned.

Maddox cleared his throat. “Not seriously.”

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