The Singles Game
Page 66

‘Marco, Marco, Marco. It’s great having someone to hang out with at tournaments, someone who understands the lifestyle. But he was kind of a jerk before the whole Zeke/Nannygate drama even started, and since then, well … we haven’t really talked about it.’
Dan’s eyes widened. ‘You haven’t really talked about it? The entire world has talked about it and you two just haven’t bothered?’
‘Not exactly.’
The first time Charlie and Marco had seen each other after the whole situation was in the lobby of the Sofitel in Munich. He was on his way to practice and Charlie was en route to her room.
‘Hola, beautiful,’ Marco said with a kiss on her cheek, as though nothing had happened.
‘Hi. Did you get your rackets? The front desk said they’d put them in your room.’
Marco peered at her through squinted, questioning eyes. ‘The movie star, Charlie? He is really old, no?’
Charlie tried not to smile. So he did care. And he had brought it up first.
‘The nanny, Marco? She’s a child.’
‘She didn’t mean anything to me. She was there, you weren’t. But you are now. And I missed you.’
They looked at one another. Almost hating herself, Charlie agreed to meet him later that night …
The sound of Dan’s voice snapped her back to the present. ‘So let me get this straight. You’re both just going about your merry business?’
‘Tell me what you really think, Dan. No, please, don’t hold back.’
‘You want to know what I think?’ He finally brought his gaze up to meet hers. ‘I think you’re settling for some asshole because it’s easy. And that kind of sucks.’
Charlie could feel her color rising despite herself. ‘I was kidding. I don’t want you to tell me what you really think.’
He gave a half smile. ‘You’re the one who said we’re each other’s business.’
‘Then at least get your analysis right. I’m settling for some asshole because it’s easy, yes. But also because he’s really, really hot.’
‘Lovely.’
‘Well, clearly neither of us thought we were so committed that we couldn’t date someone else.’
‘Date? Is that what you people are calling it these days?’
‘And it’s kind of a weird, fortunate coincidence that we both got publicly busted for being naughty at the exact same instant. Because neither of us can really give the other one any grief, can we?’
‘So you both just pretend the whole thing never happened?’
‘Yes.’
Dan looked up at the sky. ‘It’s like I’m talking to someone who hears voices.’
‘Look, I’m working hard, and I’m winning, and I would hardly be the first one who tried to fit in just the smallest bit of fun along the way. Wasn’t Agassi doing meth a few years before his French Open win? I mean, let’s put this in perspective.’
‘Hey, no judgments here,’ he said, holding his palms up.
Charlie laughed. ‘Yeah, not at all.’
A blond-haired child of four or five streaked past their table. Charlie watched the little girl’s pigtails bounce as she made her way around the room. Then, just as she was about to turn back to Dan, a taller but equally energetic blonde raced past them in pursuit of the child.
‘Oh my god, it’s Elin,’ Charlie said, her eyes taking in every detail of the girl down to her adorably funky high-top sneakers.
‘Who?’
‘Marco’s au pair!’
‘Wasn’t Elin the name of Tiger Woods’s ex-wife?’
‘I can’t believe she’s here.’
‘What are the chances that they would both be drop-dead-gorgeous blond au pairs named Elin?’
‘Her name is not Elin!’ Charlie hissed. She watched as the nanny grabbed the squealing little girl and hugged her close. The child wriggled with joy.
‘Didn’t you just say it was Elin?’
‘I can’t believe she’s here. Of course I can. She nannies for Raj’s coach – where else would she be?’ Charlie sneaked another peek, and Sofie must have sensed someone looking at her, because she lifted her head and looked directly at Charlie. And smiled.
Instantly, Charlie turned to Dan, who had just stood up. ‘She looked right at me. She smiled! Do you believe the nerve? This barely legal babysitter screws my boyfriend and then has the nerve to smile at me? And of course I have to be wearing sweaty tennis clothes, while she looks like a supermodel …’
‘Charlie, you’re delusional. I can’t even begin to—’
‘Here she comes. Oh my god, she’s walking over here. Dan, where are you going? Sit down! Don’t leave me here!’ she hissed without moving her lips.
‘As fun as this promises to be, I have to go now. I’ll see you tomorrow at eight, Court Ten. Bye, Charlie.’
But she hadn’t heard a word he said. Sofie was barreling toward her with her pigtailed charge by the hand, and it was clear she planned to say hello. Despite being certain this would happen, Charlie still nearly collapsed from the surprise of it.
It made sense Sofie would recognize Charlie – she was ranked fourth in the world, for heaven’s sake – but Charlie wasn’t about to admit that she’d spent hours googling this girl and knew not only her name but also that of her favorite fifth-grade teacher.
‘You’re Charlotte Silver, right?’ the girl asked. She looked even younger in person. Fresher, somehow.
‘Yes.’ Charlie, suddenly convinced she had food stuck in her teeth, was also acutely aware of exactly how her hair was plastered to her head after a long training day. There wasn’t a stylist-chosen article of clothing or a crystal in sight … nothing but wide expanses of spandex and Drymax and caked-on clay. It was so unfair.
‘You must hear this all the time, but I just wanted to tell you that I’m a huge fan!’ The girl’s smile seemed genuine and her accent was adorable.
Charlie cleared her throat. ‘Thank you. That’s so nice to hear.’
‘I just think it’s so cool for a woman to be tough and confident.’ Sofie dropped to her knees, and of course Charlie instantly thought a thousand uncharitable things about how expertly she did so until Sofie turned to the little girl and said, ‘This lady is a famous tennis player. She’s not just a princess, she’s a warrior princess! And she might win this whole tournament!’