Page 100 of Break Point
They’ve both powered through the day, but it’s always wiser to stay awake until nighttime hits when traveling. Best way to handle jet lag. But let’s be honest, we’ll be heading back home by the time they adjust to Melbourne’s time zone. It always takes me longer to sync with the clock here. More than anywhere else I’ve been. There’s just something about Australia. It really does feel like the farthest place on earth.
“Considering …?” Robbie smirks, leaning slightly into her. I know he drinks most weekends, but I’ve never seen him like this. Even if he drinks often, he usually doesn’t drink much.
“Considering how you refused the sleeping pill Ioffered on the plane and opted for drinks instead,” Gemma says, giving him a casual push. “I’m impressed you’re still standing.”
“You look pretty,” Robbie says, tucking a strand of her hair behind Gemma’s ear in the slowest, most deliberate way. “You always do. You smell nice, too.”
“Stop being creepy,” I cut in. But Gemma’s staring into his eyes like time just stopped, and I nearly choke on my saliva at the interaction and whatever it might mean.
It can’t be. What am I missing?
Our server returns with our drinks and places them on the cocktail table, breaking the spell Gemma seemed to be under. I sip my ginger ale to wash down the shock and look away with a frown as Gemma and I share a conspiratorial glance.
“You heard her,” Gemma says, lifting her chin and taking a drink. Robbie mirrors her move, eyebrows raised, the corners of his lips tugging up as he swallows.
“There she is,” a voice whispers in my ear, sending a chill down my spine and making the hairs on my neck rise. “Now, this is what I flew across the world for.” Theo grabs my hand and twirls me before dropping a kiss on my cheek.
“Nothing you haven’t seen before,” I tease, making him laugh.
Gemma’s eyes widen.Trouble has arrived.
Theo says hi to Gemma, and Robbie greets him with a clap-shake and a few pats on the back. They’ve all been introduced in the past.
After a sip of his water, because Theo is nothing if not disciplined and methodical while on the tennis tour, he says in that sexy Polish accent of his, “I have been told you are sniffing around my coach.”
Busted.
“Could you guys give us a minute?” I say to Robbie and Gemma.
Robbie hands his empty beer glass to a passing server and extends a hand to Gemma.
“Dance with me?”
“No one’s dancing,” Gemma says, taking another sip.
“I can see that.” Robbie chuckles, snatches Gemma’s drink from her hand, and sets it on the table. He slides a hand to her waist and guides heraway with a grin. My eyes follow them as they start swaying to the music, just far enough to stay within sight but out of earshot.
“So?” Theo’s dark eyes lock on mine, full of amusement. He doesn’t seem pissed, but it’s my job to figure out where he stands with his coach, who’s about to become mine.
“I am a lady,” I reply, lifting a brow. “And we don’t … sniff things.”
“I see you’re in the mood for games,” he says, sweeping his gaze over me, not bothering to be discreet. “Lucky for you, I am, too.”
As much as I hate to admit it, this is thrilling. Theo’s good looks don’t hit me the same way they used to, though. It’s not that I’ve become blind to the richness of his brown hair, the broad shoulders, those ridiculous forearms, or the depth of his dark eyes. It’s all still there, and I still take it in. But all I can think about now is how I hope Henry doesn’t show up just yet.
I’m getting cold feet about the plan, about trying to make him suffer.
Why would I want to do that to someone I care so much about?
But I’m still so upset with him. There has to be another way to get to him. To get him to finally open up.
“Elliot approached me,” he finally says after a beat, still shamelessly consuming my looks from head to painted toenail. “Just wanted to give you a head-up.”
“You mean a heads-up?” I correct with a smirk.
“That’s what I said,” he replies, completely unbothered.
His accent is charming and then some, and it cracks a smile on my face. Reminds me of our past fling.
