“Ready?Even though it’s a short distance, I’ll drive.It might make it easier later.”She was excited for Elliott to meet her friends.
A short while later, when they walked into Jake’s, all eyes turned to them.Hazel knew they weren’t looking at her and kept walking to the back tables where the locals hung out.
Dani and Brad, Taylor and Cooper, Melissa and Ross, and Mike and Tracy were already there.
Hazel and Elliott sat down, and Hazel quickly introduced Elliott and then each person introduced themself.
When it came to Tracy, she beamed at him.“I’d love to show you around.”
It seemed such an obvious move that Hazel wasn’t the only one amused by it, and the way she was fluttering her fake eyelashes at him.
Poppy, Blake, and Craig appeared along with others, and the two tables became full of conversation as people chatted, ordered drinks and food, and caught up on local news.
Ross, sitting next to Hazel, wanted to talk about the tennis camp for beginners, and Hazel ignored what else was going on until Mike got up to leave.
“See everyone later,” he said.“And, Hazel, I’ll see you tomorrow morning for our practice session with Jed.”
Tracy remained in her chair, arms crossed in front of her, a furious look on her face.“I’m staying.”
Mike waved to the crowd and walked away.
“I’ll drop you off on my way home,” Craig said to Tracy.
“Thanks.Mike knows I’m not ready to go home.He’s such a party pooper.”She turned to Elliott.“But this will give me more of a chance to get to know you better.”
Elliott shrugged.“Not that much to tell.”
Hazel knew he was uncomfortable.He and Craig had exchanged friendly words but hadn’t had a real chance to talk.Hopefully, that would change.
Elliott caught her eye, and she understood his silent message.“Elliott and I are going to head out.It was great to see everyone.”
Elliott held her chair, and Hazel got to her feet.
As they started to walk away, Hazel heard Tracy say, “What a bummer of a night.”
###
The next morning, Hazel made her way out of the house for her early morning tennis practice.She was relieved when she got to the Sports Center and saw both Jed and Mike waiting for her.
“’ Morning,” she said cheerfully.“It’s going to be a hot one, so this is a smart time to practice.”
“Elliott doesn’t mind?”asked Mike.
Hazel’s eyes widened.“Oh, you think we’re together?No, he’s why I had to lie to my mother.”She glanced at Jed and back to Mike.“After we’re through here, I’ll explain.”
“Okay.Now, we’ll rotate, two against one.”
“Me first,” said Jed, and Mike and Hazel chuckled.Jed was gaining a lot of self-confidence.
The practice was a successful one.As the three of them sat on a bench afterward, Hazel wiped the sweat off her face and sipped her water.
“How would you like to play mixed doubles with me tonight?”Mike asked her.
“Don’t you usually play with Tracy?”she asked.
“It wouldn’t be fair to the other couple to have to play against both Tracy and me.You and I would make a better team, and this will give me a chance to see how you play a real game of doubles.”
“Okay,” said Hazel.“I’d be honored to play with you.But after this, you might decide to choose a different partner.”
