Page 69 of Off Court Fix

Maxine’s eyes scan my desk as I slip a hand beneath her sweater, rubbing the warm skin of her back. “What’s all this? For the gala?”

“I don’t know why this is hosted by the board of directors when the club manager is the one doing all the work.”

“You should be a party planner. Did you decide on linens yet?”

“Funny,” I reply unenthusiastically. “Going with cream. Complements the gold-rimmed dinnerware. My biggest problem is the seating plan.”

She raises an eyebrow at me.

“Certain members can’t sit next to or near other members.”

It’s evident she’s trying to fight a giggle. “Country club problems?”

I nod. “The Pattersons and the Coles are still going at it over who scratched Mrs. Patterson’s car...elevenyears ago.”

She laughs, and her stomach growls. “Are you hungry?”

“Is that a genuine question, or are you asking me because you are?”

“A little bit of both.”

“And I take it you have no food at home.”

She rolls her eyes. “Idohave food.”

“Granola bars and protein shakes aren’tfood.” I pull her closer, dropping my tired face into her neck and inhaling.

Technically, Maxine isn’t food either, but I’m inclined to take a bite. She yelps when my teeth nip at her skin.

I sigh when she pulls back.

“How much longer do you need?”

My lips blubber in thought as I let the air puff out of them. “Another twenty minutes, maybe a half hour.”

“How about I run into town and pick up a pizza?” she asks.

“Yeah. Yeah, that would be great. I’ll let you know when I head to your place.”

She smiles against my lips and hops off my lap. At the door, she unlocks it and waits for the continued silence.

“You’re good,” I tell her. I sent my last employees home hours ago. “I’ll see you in a bit.”

Maxine flashes me a smile and steps out of my office door into the hall. I listen to her feet pad down the stairs before the noise disappears into nothingness. Looking back at the mess on my desk, I groan. I turn to my computer and hit print on the tentative seating chart, cursing under my breath when an error message shows up on the printer below my desk. I send it to the membership office instead, then rise from my desk and head down the hall to retrieve the document when I hear the machine spit it out. But that’s not all I hear.

I furrow my brow and shuffle to the window overlooking the large green grassy parking lot where, under the dim light, I see Maxine leaning against her car across from Hunter.

Leaving the document on the floor of the membership office, I sprint to the stairs, taking them two by two, until I burst through the front door.

Both of them turn their heads to me, and my hand bunches into such a tight fist when I see Hunter grin at me that my bones ache—to punch him square in the nose.

“Hey, Maxine. You know, I... I’ll ask Dave about those rackets you want restrung. He’ll come early to do them in the morning.”

Her eyes ever so slightly wander to Hunter before she nods at me. “Thanks. You know, I’d do it myself, but the tennis shed was locked, so...” She trails off, pulling the sleeves of her sweater over her hands and lifting them to tuck a lock of hair behind her ear. It’s clear she’s uncomfortable, and I take a step toward Hunter when she continues, “You two have a good night.”

I don’t even think. I reach out to open the driver’s side door so she can slip inside, shutting it behind her and moving to Hunter.

“You here after dark means no good. What do you want?” I demand.

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