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“How are you feeling about all of this?” Piper asked.

Mac shrugged, trying to hide her hesitations. “Good, it couldn’t be going better.”

Piper nodded, staring at the screen. “Taylor’s still in.”

Whipping her head around, Mac eyed her mom. “How’d you know?”

Piper shrugged. “Well, I always knew about you two but Babs told me about the whole situation.” She gestured to the entire room.

Mac rolled her eyes. “She’s got a big mouth.” Biting her lip, Mac’s forehead wrinkled. “You always knew? Even before the whole first breakup?”

Piper smiled. “Of course I did. You two… it was very clear the first time you introduced me to her. But I am a little surprised that you went back there after everything that happened.”

“I just never stopped thinking about her.” Mac shrugged, grabbing a pillow and holding it to her chest.

“I felt that way about your dad.” Piper’s eyes stared off wistfully. “It’s a once in a lifetime feeling.”

Mac debated how much to say, squeezing her eyes together. “I told her I’d wait for her.”

Piper turned to look at her daughter. “What do you mean?”

Sighing, Mac rolled onto her side. “A week ago, I ran into her at the Arthur Ashe and I told her in the locker room that I knew she wasn’t happy in the closet. I told her there wasn’t anyone else for me and whenever she decided to take the leap, I would be here.”

“Wow.” Piper raised her eyebrows, blinking quickly. “That’s quite the confession.”

Mac nodded. “Yeah.”

Piper patted her daughter’s arm. “So, the ball’s in her court, so to speak.”

Shaking her head, Mac couldn’t stop herself from smiling. “Very funny.”

Silence washed over them as their show continued. But after a minute, Piper bit her lip. “I know this might be a silly thing to ask. But you’re sure you want to wait for her?”

Mac shrugged. “I don’t feel like I have much of a choice. I’ve dated around for years and no one makes me feel like she does.”

Piper nodded. “And you can get over her not choosing you… twice?”

Laying back in the cushy bed, Mac sighed. “Unfortunately, yeah.” Even if it was hurtful, Mac knew exactly why Taylor had behaved the way she had.

Piper reached across the bed and rubbed her daughter’s hair. “Then, I’ve got your back as long as you promise not to go easy on her.”

Mac laughed. “I won’t.”

Sweat dripped down Mac’s face as she slammed the ball across the court, screaming out a grunt. With precision, the ball fell just before the line. It was nearly impossible for Mac’s opponent, Sonia Novak, to return it.

The umpire made the call, “Point, Miss Bennett. Match Point.”

Each player returned to their baselines. Mac couldn’t stop herself from smiling. The audience in the Louis Armstrong Stadium was ecstatic. Between shots, they cheered with fervor for Mac. All they wanted was for their local underdog to take home the championship. And if Mac could pull off this victory, she’d have just one more match until the U.S. Women’s Tennis trophy was in her hands.

Sonia bounced the ball against the rubber court, preparing for what could be her last serve of the Open.

Mac bounced back and forth on her feet, keeping her knees warm between shots. The crowd settled as Sonia signaled she was ready to serve. A heavy silence fell over the Stadium. Mac narrowed her eyes, gluing them to the yellow felt 78 feet away.

Leaping into the air, Sonia yelped as she sent the ball toward Mac. Before the ball landed, Mac was already in position. The serve had just passed 115 miles per hour. Mac gripped her racket, lowering it below her hip and followed the shot through toward the net.

A pop resounded off the racket as the ball went flying back where it came from.

Sonia gave another grunt as she raced to reach the ball, inaccurately placing it close to Mac. Easily, Mac hit the ball over the net. She forced Sonia to run from end to end. With each volley, Novak’s returns grew weaker and more accurate.