Page 44 of The Backup Groom

“Honestly, I was disappointed, but for a different reason altogether,” Scotty said. “We don’t need to talk about that.”

“Why not?” I asked.

Scotty let out a nervous chuckle. “I’d rather not say.”

I was pretty sure I knew what it was.

“You saw me drinking coffee after I told you I wasn’t going to have any more coffee,” I admitted hesitantly. “Was that it?”

He shook his head. “You’re allowed to change your mind. There’s nothing wrong with that at all.”

“Then?” I pressed.

“Really, it’s silly. Forget about it.”

That was going to be a problem.

I really wanted to know now.

“How about another bet?” I said, surprising myself.

“You may need to see someone about your caffeine addiction. Do it soon or I’m going to run out of coffee.” Scotty chuckled.

“I don’t want coffee if I win.WhenI win.”

Scotty grinned. “I admire your confidence. Okay, what’s the prize?”

I gave him a defiant look. “After I win the bet, you need to tell me why you had that look on your face when you saw me at Starbucks.”

He thought about it. “Don’t tell me—we’re going to debate whether another movie is a sci-fi or a romance?”

I shook my head. “No. This is much better. You and I are going to play tennis.”

Scotty barked out a laugh. “You don’t want to do that.”

“Why not?”

“Not to brag, but I was kind of a big deal back in the day.”

“And that’s supposed to scare me? News flash, it doesn’t.”

Scotty stared at me, a surprised look on his face. “I have to say that I admire your confidence. Okay, bring it on. Let’s do this.”

I glanced down at my work clothes. “Now?”

“Well, not at this exact moment,” he said. “There are no courts available here this evening. We need to find another place to play, plus I will give you the courtesy of changing into something more appropriate for tennis”

“How noble of you.”

We looked at each other and cracked up.

“Okay, let’s meet over at PB Park in an hour?” I suggested. “Monday nights are usually dead over there, but if not, we’ll wait for a court before I mop it up with you.”

“Bring it on.” Scotty checked his watch. “Okay, see you there in one hour.”

“Great!” I said, hiding my excitement.

I was going to clobber him.