Page 32 of Match Point

“This isn’t just about our status in the tennis world,” Gabriel explained gently. “Louis is an old friend of my family. My parents were coming to his restaurant before I was born.”

Louis returned with a basket of bread, a steaming pot of what looked like cheesy dipping sauce, and a bottle of wine that was covered in dust. “I know Gabriel since he is boy,” he explained while uncorking the wine. “He was wonderful boy, but he is even better man. Very generous. He is family to me.”

“You are too kind,” Gabriel said. He actually looked like he was blushing. “Louis and his restaurant are very special to me. It is one of the few places where I feel like myself.”

“Anything you want, please ask,” Louis told me. “Your money I cannot take. Please, be welcome.” He dipped his head and went back inside.

“He has to let me pay,” I told Gabriel. “I didn’t come to Paris to freeload.”

“I always slip some money to the waiter. Do not be worried.” He raised his glass to me. “Santé. To an unexpected rendezvous.”

We touched glasses and drank. The wine wasextraordinary.I was curious how expensive it was, but didn’t want to appear rude by examining the bottle. The brand appeared to bePremier Cru.

“Your date who is late,” Gabriel said while rolling the wine stem between his fingers. “Is it serious? A boyfriend?”

“It’s kind of a first date,” I said. “An old friend. Nothing serious, yet.”

Gabriel studied my face with sharp eyes and nodded slowly. What would he say when Dominic arrived? I wondered if Gabriel even remembered that night at the party, and how his kiss was bookmarked by kisses with Tristan and Dominic.

“It is so good to see you, Miranda,” he remarked. “Of course, I have seen you many times on my television, and from the stands during your matches. It is quite funny that we never ran into each other over the years.”

“Tell me about it. Sometimes I think everyone from the Academy has actively tried avoiding me.”

“It did not help that you left first,” Gabriel said. “By the time we joined you on the tour, you were quite successful. You were intimidating. Even more intimidating than you were at the Academy.”

I snorted a laugh. “I wasn’t intimidating at the Academy. I was a lanky teenage girl who was too shy to talk to anyone outside of practice. I didn’t even have any friends.”

“You were intimidating to me. I was terrified to kiss you when the bottle stopped spinning.”

Ah. So he does remember that night.

“Believe me: I was more scared,” I replied.

Gabriel sipped his wine and stared at the glass. “I have thought about that night quite often over the years. Have you?”

Before I could respond, I got a text from Dominic. “Sorry, one second,” I said while pulling out my phone.

Dominic: You’re not going to believe this. They want to reshoot everything again. We only have the studio until tomorrow, so they won’t let me leave. I’m not going to get out of here until midnight.

Me: Aww. No problem, I understand.

Me: Although now I’m all dressed up with nowhere to go. I might have to find a young French man to take me out.

Dominic: If you can find someone who can handle the amazing Miranda Jacobs, then he deserves you ;-)

“You look disappointed,” Gabriel observed.

“My date just canceled.”

He spread his hands wide. “As I said! Your date has terrible priorities. A woman such as yourself should never be made to wait for any man.”

“Thanks, but like I said: I don’t want special treatment just because of my tennis fame.”

“I was referring to your beauty, not your fame,” he replied smoothly. He held out his hand. “Give me your phone, and I will tell this man of the mistake he has made.”

I chuckled and considered telling him that my date was Dominic deGrom, his rival. But I held back. For one thing, I didn’t want my date with Dominic to be fodder for the tennis tabloids. And for another thing, I didn’t want to upset Gabriel by mentioning his rival.

“Are you ready for Roland Garros?” I asked. “Feeling strong?”

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