Page 53 of Match Point

For now.

“Glad that’s over,” coach said, grabbing the remote and turning the TV off. “Time to work on drills.”

Coach had me doing three-a-days in preparation for Wimbledon. That meant waking up and jogging ten miles before breakfast. Then a bombardment of specific tennis drills in the morning. After lunch, I played actual singles matches—usually against him, but sometimes against one of my other practice partners, most of whom were players on the tour themselves.

I liked being busy. It helped keep my mind off Miranda, who I was trying not to bombard with texts. Fortunately, she wasn’t shy about texting me.

Miranda: What are you up to on this gorgeous Friday night?

Me: Isn’t it like noon in New Jersey?

Miranda: Yes, but I leave for London next week and I’m trying to acclimate my brain.

Miranda: Are you avoiding the question because you’re going out with a hot tennis player tonight?

Me: As a matter of fact, I am. But he’s not really my type. He’s a man.

Me: The joke is that it’s my coach. We’re getting a curry in an hour.

Miranda: Jokes are always funniest when you have to explain them ;-)

Me: What about you? Got any plans with your French Open runner-up boyfriend?

Miranda: First of all, ouch.

Miranda: Secondly, he left for England two days ago.

Miranda: Thirdly, he’s not my boyfriend. He’s a guy I’m seeing on and off.

Me: Like me?

Miranda: Like you, yes. But you have a better accent :-)

Miranda: You’re not jealous, are you?

Me: Weirdly, no. I was thinking about it the other day, actually.

Miranda: You were thinking about me and Dominic? That sounds a lot like jealousy.

Me: I was thinking about how normal it all feels. Maybe it’s because he’s already my tennis rival. Competing for one woman’s affection isn’t as high-stakes as competing for a grand slam championship.

Miranda: So the trophy at Wimbledon is more important than my love?

Me: The trophy at the Australian Open is what I have in mind. But either way, the answer is yes.

Miranda: Wow.

Miranda: This is going in your file.

Me: My file?

Miranda: Of course. The files I keep on you and Dominic to decide who I like more.

Me: Who’s winning?

Miranda: That information is confidential.

Me: When are you coming to London? I heard you’re doing the NBC broadcast with Tim Henman.

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