I loved that he read my book closely enough to identify a theme and offer a way to make it even better.
“That’s a perfect idea, thank you.” I smiled at him. “I wasn’t a horse girl growing up, so I’m missing that DNA strand. There’s obviously a lot I don’t know about horses, but I can do research online—”
Owen shook his head. “No, I have a better idea. Why don’t we go on a field trip and I canshowyou how it’s done?”
The offer didn’t compute at first so I just stared at him.
“I spent some time working on a horse farm,” he explained quickly. “I know my way around a barn. It’s in Jersey, about an hour and a half away.”
“Seriously?”
“Yeah.” He sighed sheepishly. “Long story involving one of those horse girls.”
“No, I mean you’d seriously do that for me?”
Owen looked like he didn’t understand my question. “Well... yeah. Why wouldn’t I?”
Because it was above and beyond what he was contracted to do. Because it meant investing at least four hours with me, alone. Because it required leaving the city.
“It’s just soniceof you.”
He chuckled and glanced at me out of the corner of his eye. “Is that out of character? Me being nice?”
“No, not at all!” I sputtered. “I mean it’s, like, generous with your time. You’re busy.” I gestured to where members were filing in. “It’s a half-day commitment at least. Do you even have a car?”
“I have a car,” he replied. “And you’re busy too, but I think it would be worth it. It gives me an excuse to go back and visit old friends, and hopefully you’d get a ton of ideas. I know I’m not at official muse status, but maybe I could be a lesser one? Kai is your Kalliope and I can be your... I don’t know, Melete, maybe?”
“Hold on, you know themuses?”
He looked a little sheepish. “I’m a big fantasy reader, so yeah.”
“Calliope is the muse of...” I paused because I wasn’t sure what exactly he thought Kai represented to me.
“Epic poetry, so books basically,” Owen replied. “And Melete represents... take a guess.”
“Epic fails on the pickleball court?”
He smirked. “Would you stop? No, Melete is the muse ofpractice.”
I loved that Owen granted himself muse status.
“Totally works.” I nodded. “Yeah, you’re definitely my Melete.”
We stared at each other for a beat, a little sweaty, tired, and content.
“And I wouldloveto go on a field trip to meet some horses. Thanks for suggesting it.”
Owen started backing away from me. “Okay, I’ll reach out to the barn rats for some possible dates and times and then text you. More to come.”
I watched him walk away, then pause and turn back to me. “You did great today. Really impressive improvement.”
I beamed at him. “Thanks, Coach.”
I walked out of the Chelsea Pickleball Academy feeling way luckier than usual.
Chapter Fourteen
I’d gotten used to Meredith’s stomp-step-stomp noises around the apartment, but based on the note taped to our door, our neighbors downstairs still had a problem with it. I walked in, holding it up in the air.
