Page 123 of Double Fault

“Hey,” she answers as she settles on her couch. “How are things going? Tell Noah congratulations on winning his first match.”

“I will. How’s my future niece or nephew?” Lucy and Alyssa are team green and waiting until delivery to find out the baby’s sex.

“Growing like a weed.” Lucy leans forward and sets the laptop on the coffee table so I can see her belly. It hasn’t beenthatlong since we did a video chat, but she’s definitely grown. Bythe time I return to the states in August, she’ll be creeping close to her due date. With any luck, I can make a special trip to visit while Noah is competing in the Cincinnati Open or the US Open in New York.

“How are you feeling?”

“Pretty good.” She rubs at her sternum. “Heartburn sucks, though.”

Maddie shuffles over to me from the other room, teddy bear gripped under her arm. “Are you talking to your friends?”

“Yes,” I laugh lightly. “Do you want to say hi?”

“Sure.” She bounces onto the bed beside me, smile in place. This girl has never met a stranger. I turn my computer her direction and she waves. “Hi, I’m Maddie.”

“I’m Lucy. I like your teddy bear.”

“Thanks.” She holds it even tighter. “My mom gave it to me.”

She squeezes the paw, and a feminine voice says, “Mommy loves you, Maddie Girl,” followed by a kissy sound.

Tears instantly sting my eyes. I had no idea her bear did that. No wonder she loves that thing so much.

“Wow, that’s so cool,” Lucy says to her. “I’ll have to get one for my baby.”

“You should.” Maddie leans against me for a better look. “How did you become friends with Sabrina?”

Lucy and I exchange smiles, amused by Maddie’s ability to take over our chat so easily.

“We met in middle school, but we didn’t really become friends until high school. Now, we’re inseparable.”

“Are you a teacher like her?”

“No.” My best friend shakes her head. “I’m a personal shopper.” When Maddie frowns in confusion, she goes on. “That means I go shopping so other people don’t have to.”

Jaw dropping, Maddie says, “That’s a real job?”

“Mhm.” Amusement shines in Lucy’s eyes.

My little sidekick drops her head back and elbows me. “I want to be a personal shopper when I grow up.”

After about fifteen minutes, we say goodbye to Lucy, and I put my laptop away.

“Can I stay here with you?” Maddie asks, already burrowing her way under my covers. “I don’t want to sleep by myself.”

When she gives me those sad puppy dog eyes, I’m a goner.

“Of course.” I press a kiss to her head, then reach for the remote and cue up the movie she started in her room.

When I bring her blanket and pillow in, she smiles and holds out her hands for them.

“Thank you.”

At eight, many kids have probably moved on from their desire for comfort items like teddy bears and blankets, but Maddie has spent most of her life traveling. Throw in the death of her mother, and she deserves to have whatever makes her feel good.

I settle into bed next to her and turn off the lamp. Once I’m settled, she scoots over and curls into me.

“I love you, Sabrina.”

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