Page 43 of Double Fault

“Ugh.” She throws her hands up, pure sass.

“Where did you get the makeup?”

“It was my mom’s.” Eyes downcast, she adds, “She taught me how to do my makeup before she died. Did I do a good job?”

Talk about a punch in the gut.

“You did a great job.”

She snaps up straighter, beaming with pride.

“But you still have to take it off.”

I might not be a genius, but I know Noah won’t let her leave the house with makeup on.

With a huff, she stomps out of the kitchen and back upstairs. Five minutes later, she’s back, her face freshly scrubbed free of mascara and glitter eye shadow.

“What was the makeup for?”

She opens the fridge, her back to me. “Nothing.”

Nothing—in that kid tone that very much conveyssomethingis going on.

If she doesn’t want to tell me, though, I won’t push it.

She grabs a strawberry Jell-O cup and closes the refrigerator.

“Jell-O before ice cream?”

With a sigh, she puts it back in the fridge. “You’re right. That would be gross. Is my dad ready?”

“He’s probably still in the shower.”

“Ugh,” she groans, shoulders falling. “Can’t we just go?”

I tap my nails on the counter. “No, he said he’s coming with us, so that means we wait.”

“But he’s so slow,” she whines.

“Find some patience.” I ruffle her hair. “The ice cream will still be there.”

“I guess.” She runs her fingers through her hair, then spins on a sneaker-covered foot. “I’m going to watch TV.”

I can’t help but giggle as she disappears. The way she leaves the kitchen reminds me of Noah trying to get away from Fisher.

My phone buzzes on the table, momentarily distracting me.

Lucy: Are you okay with tacos for dinner?

I want to tell her that since she and Alyssa insist I stay with them until we leave for Delray Beach, I’ll eat whatever she wants me to.

But that’ll only piss her off.

Me: Sounds good.

Lucy: Cool. See you later.

Since we returned, I’ve been soaking up all the time with my best friend I can. Many of these tournaments are back to back, meaning we won’t be coming home between them. Apparently, Noah has a place in Monte Carlo as well, and he uses it as his home base when he’s playing in Europe. If all goes well for him, I won’t be back to see Lucy and Alyssa for a while. After the Delray tournament, we’re headed to the Miami Open, and after that isthe Monte Carlo Masters. At least we won’t be stuck in a hotel while we’re there. I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t curious about what his house in Monaco looks like.

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