Page 10

Leah has just landed in Tennessee, specifically at the Nashville airport, the city where Stella is playing in the local tournament that weekend and also where she resides since Christian Roberts agreed to be her coach. In the end, she has given in and once again it's her who for the third consecutive time, if not more—travels to visit her girlfriend.

She searches among the family members and friends waiting for their loved ones in the arrivals area, but fails to spot her until, instead, she finds a man holding a sign with her name on it. Leah snorts with indignation when she sees that Stella hasn't even had the decency to come pick her up at the airport, but she's relieved that at least her last name isn't on the sign, alerting everyone to her arrival and making her the focus of unwanted attention because, although she's retired, people still recognize her, and there are moments—like this one where she's just put herself in a bad mood—when it feels uncomfortable having to pose with a smile she doesn't feel like flashing.

"I assume you know the address," Leah says to the man after greeting him and getting into the car.

"Yes, ma'am," he responds kindly.

Almost forty minutes later, the man stops the vehicle in front of the house Stella has rented in Nashville. It's an elegant red brick construction with light stone details, a spacious porch with white columns, and a dark wooden door with a large frosted glass window.

Leah says goodbye to the driver, climbs the steps, and rings the doorbell trying not to make her bad mood too obvious, but it's difficult. Within seconds, the door opens and Stella practically jumps on her, hugging her with an enthusiasm that catches her off guard before kissing her.

"I've been so eager for you to arrive," Stella murmurs against her mouth.

Leah can barely breathe and stumbles into the house while Stella continues babbling things between kisses that gradually erase the tennis player's anger.

"Sorry I didn't come pick you up, but this morning's training was running long and since I didn't want to be late, I decided to play it safe and sent a driver to get you, hope you don't mind."

By the time she finishes apologizing, Stella has already gotten rid of Leah's t-shirt and her hands are struggling with the closure of her jeans. The tennis player, aroused, has completely forgotten about something that now seems trivial to her and lets herself fall onto the sofa when her girlfriend finally pulls down her pants, ready to make up for lost time.

"How I've missed you," Stella says smiling, relaxed at her side.

Leah feels uncomfortable for a brief moment, aware that Stella expects her to say the same, but Leah would be lying if she says she did too, because it's not true. She enjoys spending time with Stella, but not enough to miss her afterward, and both have known this for some time, which is why it partly bothers her that Stella lies by saying she feels that way.

"Next time I promise I'll visit you," Stella says, unfazed when Leah sits up without having responded to her show of affection.

Leah glances at her sideways and stretches her arm to pick up her shirt from the floor.

"You've told me that many times, Stella, and then you don't do it, so I'd prefer if you stopped promising things you can't deliver."

"It's the training, Leah, you know how it goes. If it were up to me, I'd still be in Charleston," Stella says.

Leah clears her throat, smiles, and turns toward her girlfriend.

"You and I both know that's not true, Stella. Tennis is what drives you, and I'm not holding it against you, I did the same for years. How do you see the match against Natalia Fort? I hope you've reviewed her plays well so you can anticipate," Leah changes the subject, not wanting to continue talking about a relationship she knows hangs by a thread.

"Chris and I have been reviewing videos of her matches all week. I'm sick of seeing her," Stella sighs wearily, making Leah laugh, "but the good thing is I think I'll be able to counter her backhand, like I told you, I've been practicing a lot."

"I'm sure you will," Leah gives her thigh a squeeze and Stella smiles. "Shall we eat? I'm starving."

"I forgot sex always makes you hungry," Stella laughs and stands up. "Let's go, I've reserved a table at a place you'll like, plus it's close by, we can take a walk and catch up."

Leah gets up and heads to the bathroom to freshen up while thinking about what catching up with Stella means to her. She shivers from head to toe when she realizes that the only thing she would like to talk about is Emily, the new development in her life that she considers relevant, and that troubles her.

The next day they arrive together at the match Stella must play. It's a local tournament without much expectation, still, there are some sports journalists covering the news who don't miss the opportunity to photograph Stella as soon as they see her appear with her partner, the established Leah Walker. Although she's more than used to it, Leah doesn't feel entirely comfortable when she notices how Stella sticks close to her and smiles, exhibiting her as if she were another one of her trophies. She tries not to think about it, greets people, answers some questions about her club, and finally sits in the stands, sheltered under her cap and sunglasses to enjoy the match. She has fun, loves watching matches and screaming like a maniac when Stella makes a good shot or returns an impossible ball, and they culminate the morning with her victory, a good meal, and another sex session in her bedroom.

Exhausted after the match and the marathon they've had in bed, Stella has fallen asleep and Leah contemplates her sitting in the armchair her girlfriend has in a corner of the room. She's been there for ten minutes in complete silence while wondering why she continues with her. Until a few weeks ago she didn't mind, she was fine with what they had and defended their relationship to her mothers when they told her it wasn't enough, that her relationship with Stella was very superficial and brought her nothing more than some sex the few times they see each other and some empty conversation occasionally.

Leah sighs. Before that was enough, now she's not sure anymore, and the blame falls on Emily Harris.

"Aren't you coming to bed?" Stella murmurs when she turns around and notices Leah isn't beside her.

"I'm coming now," she answers while still looking at her.

Leah swallows. Tomorrow she has to catch her flight back to Charleston and, instead of being sad about not having more time to spend with Stella, she's counting the hours until she can take the taxi to the airport. Without a doubt, things aren't going well, and what before seemed like a relationship that suited them both, now seems like something living on borrowed time.