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“Disappointed?” DJ asked with a lifted eyebrow. “She’s in the shower. Be out in a minute, probably. Come on in.”

“Not disappointed. And thanks.” Kendra walked into the room. “Are you going to have dinner with us tonight?”

“No, a few of us are going to a bar to have drinks and play some pool. I invited you and Aspen. She said she’d ask you when you got here.” DJ closed the door behind her.

“Who’s going to be there?”

“Mostly players. I think maybe some of their friends and family, too, for the local ones. Not sure who else, exactly, outside of Mark, Chase, Patrice– And before you even make a joke – I’m not into him anymore. Patrice invited Aspen and me. I didn’t even know Chase would be there until after I said yes and bumped into Mark, who told me they’d be there.”

“I was told to leave you alone about Chase, so I am.”

“Do you want to go?” DJ asked.

“I don’t know. Does Aspen?”

“Does Aspen what?”

Kendra looked past DJ then and saw the now-open bathroom door and a very wet Aspen Ashley standing there in only a towel.

“Oh, hey. Are you early, or am I late getting ready?” Aspen asked.

“Sorry. What?” Kendra spoke.

DJ laughed and asked, “Do you want to go or not, Aspen?”

“Does Kendra?”

“Oh, my God! You two are annoying. I’m leaving. If you want to join me, I dropped you a pin, Aspen. Check your messages. I’ll see you later. And I won’t be late, so…” She turned to Aspen. “Just keep that in mind.”

“Shut up,” Aspen said, looking at least half-serious from what Kendra could see.

“Okay. See you later, Kendra. Have fun with little Miss Attitude here.”

“I don’t have an attitude. She’s kidding,” Aspen said, looking around DJ and at Kendra. “Also, hello.”

“You said hi already.”

“Yeah… I’m gone,” DJ said and pulled open the door to leave.

“Do you want to go? I’m kind of exhausted, so not really up for it, but you can cancel our plans to hang out and go with her, if you want,” Kendra offered.

“To a bar with a bunch of other players after spending the whole day in a tent or on a court with them? No, thanks.” Aspen shook her head. “Nothing against any of them, and I go sometimes, but not tonight. I’m tired and just want to chill. Have you eaten yet? We can order room service, if you want, or get a delivery from somewhere. Oh! There’s this great Indian place close to here, apparently. One of the trainers had it last night and said it was awesome.”

“Not a big fan of Indian food,” Kendra shared.

“Pizza?” Aspen offered. “I know you like pizza.”

“Aspen?”

“Yeah?”

“Do you maybe want to get dressed first?” She pointed at her. “Your towel is starting to slip.”

“Oh.” Aspen wrapped her arms around her chest and held it in place. “Yeah. Just give me a minute. I’ve got clothes in the bathroom.”

“I’ll be here.”

“Okay.”