Page 68 of Match Point

“Okay, butwhydid you sneak through those backyards to reach me?”

“I wanted to say goodbye in person. I’m flying back to Australia tonight. I’m going to get a second opinion on my oblique. My doc in Melbourne is familiar with my injury. Miranda, I’m so sorry all of this went public.”

“Not your fault,” I replied. “It’s worse for you. I saw the media hounding you at the post-match conference. And I’m sorry you lost today.”

He shrugged. “I never thought we would get this far. Once the sting of losing wears off, I think I’ll be happy. Besides, doubles was just to help me stay sharp so I could do well in singles.” He touched his side. “Fat lot of good that did.”

“Did you and Dominic… talk about it at all?”

Tristan nodded. “We had a go of it. Not a scrap, but close to it. I think he’s more mad at you than me.”

“That doesn’t surprise me,” I said with a sigh.

“He flies out tomorrow. I figured you’d want to know that.” He glanced at his watch. “My driver’s waiting. I’m heading to the airport now. Will I see you when I’m in the States?”

I smiled. “You’d better.”

We hugged, then shared a long kiss. There was a noise behind me, in the doorway.

“For fuck’s sake,” Hammy said, bending down to pick up the phone he had dropped in surprise. “Keep it in your pants, Miranda! Or at least close the door!”

The two of us laughed as my grumpy agent walked away.

34

Miranda

After Tristan snuck out of my cottage, I tried calling Dominic. It went to voicemail on the second ring, so I texted him instead.

Me: Hi. Can we talk?

Dominic: I’m busy, but I can text.

Me: I’m really sorry how the Tristan news came out. I wanted to tell you when we were together in France, but you interrupted me and said you didn’t want to know.

Dominic: So it’s my fault? Is that what you’re saying?

Me: No! That’s not what I meant. I should have just blurted it out. And then I found out you two were playing doubles together here at Wimbledon, and I was afraid it was too late to tell you without messing with your head. Which ended up not mattering since you found out at the worst possible moment.

Dominic: Thanks for the apology. How long have you two been together?

Me: We’re not really together. It’s casual, the same way you and I are. But it started at the French Open.

Dominic: The night I stood you up because of the commercial shoot?

Me: Yeah, it was that night. But I didn’t do it out of spite. I wasn’t mad at you for having to bail on our dinner. It just sort of happened with Tristan.

Me: While I’m coming clean, I have something else to tell you: I sort of went on a date with Gabriel that night.

Dominic: Gabriel Moreau?

Me: He saw me sitting alone at the table after you canceled. Apparently, he knew the owner, so he stopped and hung out with me a little bit. Then he showed me around Paris. Nothing happened, not even a kiss, but it was definitely a date.

Dominic: You already told me this. But I appreciate you coming clean a second time.

Dominic: It’s actually kind of funny. You remember that party back at the Academy, before you went pro? You kissed all three of us during spin-the-bottle. Me, Gabriel, and Tristan.

Me: Trust me, I remember.

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