What the h.e.l.l does love have to do with tennis?

The next morning, I had a tennis date. I couldn't think of a better way to start the day, although I'd be working late hours to make up for the playtime. For a straight woman, Hailey had no problem with standing close behind me as she showed me how to swing the racket for a serve. With her hand on mine, we swung the racket as a machine hurled b.a.l.l.s at us with startling speed. We thwacked what seemed like a hundred b.a.l.l.s before we took to the court to play.

"We're not going to try to keep score today," Hailey rea.s.sured me. "Just get used to the volley for now."

I watched her saunter off in a pair of white shorts pulled tight across her a.s.s with her front pockets full of b.a.l.l.s. Many jokes came to mind, but I kept them to myself. Within minutes, Hailey was dripping with sweat, and she pulled off her sweatshirt as she chased down the b.a.l.l.s I managed to lob across the net. Her damp T-shirt clung to her body, distracting me, and my returns only became more erratic.

We took a break to collect all the b.a.l.l.s that were lying around the court. I bent over to pick up the first and heard that familiar thwack, then felt a sting in my a.s.s. When I turned around, Hailey was busy picking up b.a.l.l.s and didn't look my way. I picked up two more and a ball sailed over my right shoulder. It was war.

Serious tennis players with their multiple rackets and carts of b.a.l.l.s stopped to watch us. .h.i.t b.a.l.l.s at each other. I failed to hit *Hailey once, but she nailed me more times than I could count.

We were laughing so hard that neither of us was able to catch our breath. Winded and exhausted, we sat on a bench and watched people who actually knew what they were doing play for a while.

"I'm going to hate it when I have to go back to work on Monday. I won't be able to play during the day anymore," Hailey said as she wiped sweat from her brow.

"We could come out after you get off work if you want."

"Really? You'd want to do this again?" she asked with a warm smile.

"Only if we can hit b.a.l.l.s at each other after my lessons."

"You've got a deal," she said, thrusting out her hand.

I shook her hand briefly, and sadness washed over me. Why couldn't I meet someone like Hailey? Why did I always end up with women like psycho Jackie or a.n.a.l Stacy?

"I guess I need to get home. I'm sure Grease is finished playing, and Fuzzy will need a potty break."

After a shower, I tried to delve into my work, but I found myself checking my messages from the Rainbow Room in hopes that Newbie had sent me a message. It wasn't out of the realm of possibility that she'd met someone who she was already dating.

Her rejection, kind as it was, still stung and intensified more with her silence.

I could write her, I thought as I stared at the screen. Just to let her know I was interested. And then I thought of Stacy and how badly that'd gone, and I let the idea drop. I was on my way down the self-pity highway when I heard a knock at the door. I opened it to Fuzzy standing in the hall with her ball, which she wiped on the front of my pants.

"Are you inviting me to play ball with you?" She growled and walked in place for a second.

Hailey peeped around the corner and smiled. "She's very jealous that she wasn't invited to play today. I know you're working, but she's been b.i.t.c.hing about it all morning, and I thought you might like to take a break."

4.

*"I was going to agree as long as she didn't hit me with the ball, but she's already done that." I pointed at the s...o...b..r stain on my pants leg. "Wanna come in while I get my coat?"

Fuzzy and Hailey stepped in at the same time, and both looked around, surveying my place. "Yours is bigger, I think,"

Hailey said as she walked farther into the room.

"I could make a few jokes with that statement, but I'll spare you my sick humor," I said with a wicked grin.

"Yes, please," Hailey said with a laugh. "While I'm here, you should give me the nickel tour."

As we walked from room to room, Fuzzy's claws tapped lightly on the hardwood floor. She followed, surveying everything with a sniff, but shied away from the bathroom when we walked in. "She doesn't like the bathroom, it has a tub," Hailey said in a whisper.

"I've never washed a dog in here." I looked at Fuzzy in the doorway. She gave a small snort of what I perceived as disbelief and backed down the hall with a wary look.

"I love these old claw-footed tubs," Hailey said as she eyed mine. "Fuzzy doesn't appreciate them much, though. She doesn't get the appeal of soaking for hours while reading a good book."

I thought back to the night I soaked for hours in mine. I silently prayed that Hailey didn't peek in my kitchen garbage can because the murdered strap-on was still in there.

"You keep Bath & Body Works in business, don't you?"

Hailey picked up one of numerous bottles of bath salts.

"My sister's weakness is antiques, and mine is bath accoutrements. Just don't look in the cabinet. You might start an avalanche."

We moved down the hall first to the spare bedroom that served as my filing room. "I see you decorate in early American office,"

Hailey said as she looked at the cabinets lining the walls.

"Yes, not everyone can pull off the look, but personally, I think I rock it."

"Do you furnish your bedroom the same way?" Hailey asked with a grin.

*My face flushed.

She cupped a hand over her gaping mouth and turned on one heel. Her gasp was loud when she threw open my bedroom door.

"As I said, my pa.s.sion is bath gels and body sprays. I don't have any interest in shopping for furniture."

Hailey walked over to one of two file cabinets and looked at me. "Go ahead."

She opened the top drawer of the first cabinet and her eyes went wide when she saw all my T-shirts neatly tucked inside.

I folded my arms and leaned against the doorway as she opened each drawer and laughed. "What can I say? Stylish yet functional."

She ran a hand through her curls and looked at me. "Well, I suppose you never have to worry about anyone stealing your clothes."

We walked back into the living room, and Hailey looked at some of my framed prints hanging on the wall. "I've tried to hang a few pictures, but I can't get a nail in the mortar."

"You need a special drill bit. I have one if you want some help."

Hailey grinned back at me with her hands on her hips. "I suppose you keep your tools packed away in a file cabinet?"

"As a matter of fact, I do," I said with a grin of my own.

"Shall I fetch my drill?"

"Yes, please."

Fuzzy chose that moment to growl in protest, and the slimy ball was once again rubbed on my pants leg. "Okay, we'll play ball first." I looked back up at Hailey with a mock scowl. "Now you have me talking to your dog."

After a long, long game of bounce and catch with Fuzzy, we went back upstairs to Hailey's apartment. Her furnishings were not so utilitarian. Every piece of furniture was a dark cherry that stood out against the light wood floors. Thick rugs gave it a comfortable feel, unlike my naked floors. I kicked off my shoes, afraid that I'd track something on them. Fuzzy led me to *her corner of the living room first, so I could see her dog bed and toy basket. She plucked out a few and rubbed them on my leg.

Fortunately, they were dry.

Hailey's bedroom was equally cozy, if not more so than the living room. In the corner was a sitting area with a chaise longue and a small table with a reading lamp. I dug my bare toes into the thick rug that covered much of the floor and gazed at her bed.

For a split second, I saw us lying there together, legs and arms entwined.

"I haven't done anything with the spare bedroom yet," Hailey said, calling my attention. "It's still full of boxes that I'm in no hurry to unpack."

Even though she had no idea of what had crossed my mind, I felt transparent and embarra.s.sed. I backed out of the room, thankful that Fuzzy was at my side demanding attention. We played tug-of-war with a rabbit that she'd chewed the ears off of.

"You tell me where you want the holes, and I'll make them,"

I said as I regained my composure.

We spent the next hour hanging her pictures, frequently taking breaks to wrestle with Fuzzy and her mangled rabbit.

When the job was done, I planned to leave so as not to overstay my welcome. Plus I'd totally blown off work for the day, and the stress of being behind was creeping up my neck.

"Would you like to stay for dinner?" Hailey asked. "I was going to make grilled pork chops."

It was just after three and nowhere near dinnertime. "As much as I'd like to say yes, I have a ton of work that I didn't do today."

Hailey looked at me apologetically. "That's my fault, isn't it?"

"No," I said with a rea.s.suring smile. "I enjoyed myself."

"Well, why don't you go home and work and I'll have dinner ready for six? You have to eat."

"Great idea. What can I bring?"

"Nothing at all, you did all the work today with my pictures,"

Hailey said with a pleased smile. "It feels more like home here now."I gave her my phone number. "If you find that you need anything, call me and I'll run out for it."

*I put on a pot of coffee when I got home and dove into more bank reconciliations. About an hour later, I realized that I'd not poured myself a cup, so after a quick trip to the kitchen, I settled back at my desk. Out of curiosity, I checked my messages, and to my surprise, a new one from Newbie had arrived.

Hi, P.U., I hope you're doing wel . Sorry that I haven't written. I've been a bit busy the last few days. I'd like to ask you a question.

Are you completely honest with the women you chat with here?

Newbie I thought the question odd at first, but I answered anyway.

Hi, Newbie, Nice to hear from you. I don't answer any questions that I'm not comfortable with, like telling someone where I live, but the responses I choose to give are honest. Why do you ask?

P.U.

I turned up the sound on my computer so that if she did answer, I'd hear the tone when the message hit my box. Twenty minutes went by, and I heard the tone.

Hi, P.U., Thank you for your prompt answer. I've met someone I real y like, and I haven't exactly lied to her, but I haven't been forthcoming with the entire truth. I think she might be upset with me when I tell her, but I don't want to go on perpetuating half truths because I think she's someone I real y want to get to know.

Do you have advice?

Newbie I sat blinking at the screen. Maybe it was stupid. Maybe I'd *read too much into our conversations, but her earlier rebuff stung.

I didn't take the time to think about my response.

Newbie, Keep up the lie and hope she never finds out. That's how the game is played.

Good luck, P.U.

I regretted the harsh response the minute I hit the send b.u.t.ton.

The fault was my own. I should've responded to her last e-mail when she told me she wasn't ready to meet me. I went back and read all of our prior e-mails, and they were brief and polite. I'd read too much into them. I was too embarra.s.sed to write her back again. It was time to get my head on straight and leave Newbie alone.

To make things worse, Hailey called me. She sounded upset.

"Hey, Shannon, I'm sorry, but I'm gonna have to cancel our dinner plans. Something has come up, and I'm gonna have to step out for a while. I'm sorry."

"Are you okay?"

"Yeah, I'm fine, just bad timing, I guess."

"You want me to keep Fuzzy while you're out?"

"No, I appreciate the offer, but she'll be fine. I'll talk to you later."

She disconnected before I could reply.

Chapter 8.

The return of the Jedi sister.