Page 76 of Double Fault

Before he can lecture me, I blurt out, “Can you watch Maddie tomorrow?”

Brows pulled low, he searches my face. “Sure, but why?”

I sigh and take a small sip of water, then wipe the back of my wrist over my mouth. “I want to take Sabrina out.”

His mouth spreads into a grin. “I fucking knew it.”

“Not like that.”Fuck, even I don’t believe it when I sound this defensive.“I just want to show her around Paris. She’s never been. It’s not a date.”

“Mhm.” He crosses his arms over his chest, still holding his racket loosely in his right hand. “Sure sounds like a date. Is that why you’re distracted?”

“I guess.” With my stomach flipping over itself, I run my fingers through my sweaty hair. “I haven’t been out with another woman since before Annie. I was practically a kid then.”

He gives me a downright goofy grin in response.

I hold up a finger and wag it. “Out, not a date. Just out.”

“Whatever you crazy kids are calling it these days.” He sets down his own racket and picks up his water. After a long drink from it, his expression sobers. “It’s okay to move on, you know. It doesn’t mean forgetting. It just means you’re living.”

His words hit me square in the chest. Fuck. I’m living while Annie is not. I would change places with her in a heartbeat. She deserved more than the short life she was dealt. The world truly is unfair.

“Am I being selfish?” I drop to the bench and angle forward, my elbows on my knees and my head in my hands. “She’s the nanny. And Maddie loves her. I don’t want to fuck things up. If Sabrina quits, Maddie would be devastated.”

Fisher eases himself down beside me. “If you have feelings for her, then no, I don’t think you’re being selfish.”

The pain in my chest turns sharp for an instant. “The problem is, I don’t knowwhatI feel. I’m so goddamn confused.”

Angling back, Fisher rests his arms on the bleacher behind us. From here, the long scar on his knee is hard to miss. Despite the setback, despite the loss of his career, he didn’t let the injury rob him of his love of the sport.

“Give yourself a chance to explore the connection between you two. For now, don’t stress about the finer details.”

“That might be easier said than done.”

He clucks his tongue. “For you, probably.”

“Hey.” I straighten and nudge his shoulder.

He laughs, shoving me back with his hand. “All right, break time is over. Get back out there.”

CHAPTER 21

SABRINA

It’spossible I’m viewing Paris through rose-colored glasses. If so, I never want to take them off. I love it here. All of these European cities are full of history, and I can’t get enough. The buildings alone take my breath away.

“You’re drooling.” Noah playfully wipes his finger beneath my bottom lip.

The unexpected touch sends a jolt down my spine.

“It’s just a café.” His brown eyes are lighter than usual, his posture more relaxed. It’s good to see this side of him. He’s been tense for weeks.

“It’s more than that.”

It’s gorgeous, and if not for him, I never would have had the opportunity to see it.

“Let’s get a coffee and warm up.” With a hand pressed firmly to my back, he guides me into the café and out of the drizzle.

The whole way, I can’t stop taking in the old yet somehow still pristine black and white tiled floors.

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