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This was a moment she’d probably remember forever: when they clinked glasses and weren’t calling tonight a date, but in every other way, it was one. That would be okay for now because Kendra hadn’t ever thought this was possible months ago, and now, it felt inevitable that they’d do this and call it a date one day soon.

“So, want to come to practice tomorrow?” Aspen said after she took a sip of her wine and set down her glass.

“Shouldn’t you and DJ be focusing and not having distractions?”

“You’re not a distraction; you’re very helpful. Well, I… I mean, you are distracting, at times, but… I don’t mean…” Aspen shook her head at herself. “I just meant that you are, but, like, in a good way.”

“I’m distracting in a good way?” Kendra teased the newly nervous Aspen Ashley sitting in front of her.

“Well, there are always distractions in a match that we have to avoid, right? So, like that. It’s good to have some in practice, too.”

“Oh, that’s how?” Kendra teased again. “How’s your steak, Aspen?”

“My what?” Aspen looked down at the food she hadn’t yet touched. “Oh, I haven’t had any of it yet.”

Aspen was incredibly adorable when she was nervous, and Kendra wanted to make her blush like that, with the sun setting around them, as often as possible for as long as she possibly could.

CHAPTER 25

“Do you want me to get my own room instead?” DJ asked.

“Huh?” Aspen asked back.

“You’ve been staring at Kendra while she interviews Chase and Mark for the past, like, five minutes. We’re rooming together, and I’m not a fan of the idea of walking in on you two all over each other later. Maybe I should get my own room for this one.”

“What? I’m not staring.”

“Yes, you are. So, should I? Honestly, it’s not a big deal.”

“We’re not there yet,” Aspen told her partner as they sat on the bench, preparing for the second set of their opening match back from Aspen’s injury.

They’d won the first set easily, using most of what Kendra had suggested they do, and it had worked so well, they’d won by nine points, which was a large margin when the score only went to twenty-one and all of these teams were made up of solid pros.

“Not there? You haven’t…”

“We haven’t even kissed yet,” Aspen shared.

“What? Why not? Didn’t you basically spend the entire week together?”

“Not the entire week. I was with you for a lot of it, in case you forgot.”

“She was there, too, so I’m counting that. She was at four of our practices, Aspen. And you helped her paint, like, half of her house, from what she told me.” DJ wiped her face with a towel. “You didn’t kiss the girl and have one of those paint fights or something before you roll around on the floor, and clothes come off?”

“When was the last time that happened to you, exactly?” Aspen laughed.

“Never. I’m living vicariously.” DJ shrugged a shoulder. “What are the odds that I’ll meet some guy who’s willing to do that?”

“I bet Chase would.”

“Okay. We’re done making fun of me about Chase.” DJ stood up. “Let’s get back out there because the sooner we win this, the sooner I can get my own room so you and Kendra can finally just get it on.”

“Hey!” Aspen followed her back out on the court, laughing a little. “We’re not going to finally get it on tonight. You’re staying in our room.”

“Are you scared, Aspen?” DJ teased her right there on center court. “You’ve done this before, so I’m pretty sure you know how it works.”

“I hate you,” she joked. “And it’s not about that. I’m working this weekend, and so is she.”

“You were working when you hooked up with that woman while Alex was right across the hall.”