Game of Love (21 page)

Silence. Of course she remembered the plan. After she broke it off, the false rumors spread. Who dumped whom? Who cheated on whom? Wesley had advised them to maintain their “friends” story so that no one lost face in the chaos that followed. This premiere was part of the plan.

“Even the prime minister will be there. His people have asked us to set up a meet and greet. And let’s not forget you’re in the film, after all. You should be there.”

“This is ridiculous. Can I have some time for myself? Any consideration for what I may have been planning? You’re supposed to be on my side.”

“Believe me, this will be a disaster if we don’t correct it now. I am absolutely looking out for you.”

She wanted to scream, yell, and curse.

“G?”

“Arrange the goddamn flight.” And although tears shimmered in her eyes, her voice did not falter. “Then on Thursday morning I want Wesley to show me all the planned appearances, so I can cancel as many as I can get my hands on. Good night.” She hung up and nearly threw her mobile against the wall.

Gemma squeezed her fists into her eyes and cried. She cried because she did not value her personal life as much as she valued her career. She cried because she wanted to see Andre again, and she cried because when the moment of truth came between her two worlds, she knew which one would win–which one had to win. It was this fact she held on to. She reminded herself if she pursued anything with Andre, it would always lose to tennis.

She wiped her tears and picked up her mobile.

Andre was pulling into his parking lot when his phone chimed again. A new text message from Gemma. “
Bad news. Must go to UK asap. I leave tomorrow morning. I’m sorry. I’ll call you as soon as I can.
”

He froze. Read and re-read the text. After a few moments, he sent a text to Roger.

“The next point―that’s all you must think about.”
~Rod Laver

ndre arrived at the departure gate with less than an hour to spare. His head was full of scattered thoughts and a headache. He was supposed to simplify his world, not complicate it. What was happening with Gemma was an improbable relationship, and he had gotten what he deserved–she’d blown him off within thirty minutes of accepting his invitation.

He needed to cool things down with her and stay focused on the task at hand. If she wasn’t going to make an effort, then neither would he. He had nearly postponed a client engagement, which would have immediately alerted M&T to his lack of commitment to the future.
Six months and you’re free. Get your house in order first.

On second thought, the first thing he wanted to do was hear her voice. He found a quiet spot and called her. One ring, two, three. He was about to hang up when she answered.

“Andre, can I ring you right back? I’m leaving for the airport now.”

“Of course.”

“Cheers,” she said, then the line disconnected.

That confirmed it. She was definitely trying to create distance and he wasn’t getting the message. Too much, too soon. He leaned against the wall and tried to remember how he had gotten in this mess. It was her fault. She had come to his home. She did that–not him. Yes, he had asked her to go to the beach and then conned her into going to Dina’s house, but she’s the one who had first kissed him.
Man, what a kiss.

Andre’s headache deepened, inching its way into his skull. He needed his meds. He dropped his bags and just as he sat, his phone rang. It was her.

“Hi, Gem.”

“Ooh, I love that nickname. Sorry about earlier. Didn’t mean to brush you off. It’s been crazy.”

“Don’t sweat it. Are you on your way to the airport now?” He rubbed his temple.

“Yes. Where are you? The beach?”

“LAX, waiting for my flight to D.C.”

“What? You’re leaving on a trip as well? I didn’t know.”

“I wasn’t, but when you sent me your travel update, I decided to take the customer’s call.”

Silence. “Well, at least now I won’t miss out.”

“Miss out?” He closed his eyes and shoved a fist into his neck.

“If you did something fun and I wasn’t there, I’d feel a bit left out.”

“When will you return to LA?”

“I don’t know. No specific plans as of yet.”

“We’ll just have to plan on that
paella
some other time then,” he said, wondering when that day would come. “What dragged you back so soon?”

“That’s how my world is sometimes. My agency made commitments without realizing I was out of the country.”

“Something fun?”

“Something dreadful.”

“
We are now boarding priority
–
”
the intercom announced.

“My flight’s boarding. Text me when you land. Let’s talk once you’ve settled in.”

“That’ll be lovely.”

They hung up and Andre made his way toward the gate. He reached inside his bag for his headache meds, but paused. The tension, the tearing sensation of the headache was nearly gone. His shoulders were loose, his neck muscles were no longer tight. It was her voice. It had to be.

In about four weeks Project Sunrise would start, and for three to four months he would not be back home. He wanted to see her again before that project. He had to see her again.

Gemma slid on her sunglasses and leaned back as Xavi drove her to the airport. She liked predictability and discipline in her life. What she was experiencing right now was a roller coaster. Roller coasters made her vomit.

With all the rumors printed about her, one could have naturally assumed she was well-experienced and would one day write a how-to book. But she wasn’t experienced, not really. Yes, she had dated a handful of people, which made for exciting articles, but truth be told, she trusted very few and had only been intimate twice before. The first could not count, and the other had been years later with Johnny.

With Johnny, she thought she had been in love. But when they finally made love, it became evident he was not a lover. He was an animal claiming his possession. Johnny was not someone who could understand the fear and inadequacy she experienced when with another. So she never told him of her scars from years earlier. Now she understood she had been going through the motions of a relationship with him. In retrospect, the incident in Australia may have been heaven-sent; a gift from her father.

With Andre, she was experiencing a unique emotion. Trust. And passion. Maybe one day she could possibly tell him everything, because on some level she thought he’d understand without judgment. How could she really know after this brief friendship? She needed more time with Andre, but she also understood duty, responsibility, and sacrifice.

Maybe it was for the best. Distance and time provided perspective. She could get this stupid appearance out of her way, closing the chapter on the whole Flauto mess. Then she’d go to Birmingham to prepare for the Aegon tournament.

Objectively, this getaway had been perfect. She had gone to LA hoping for time to get her mind off the French Open. Done, with Andre’s help and that of his friends. Now, she had to focus on the work ahead, because that’s what mattered. So then why did her thoughts continue to drift back to Andre?

What did she think would come of it? Dating? A relationship? They both had to appease very demanding gods. She scolded herself for allowing her feelings to blossom for him. She couldn’t afford another media circus.

Then why had she messed it all up by kissing him? She melted at the memory, at the tenderness he had shown when he kissed her. In retrospect, and if she was going to be honest, her only regret was pulling back.

Her heart beat with an irregular cadence. She rubbed her face. For now, she had to remind herself her objective was the game. In four or five weeks, after Wimbledon, maybe she could think of other matters. One thing was for sure: she couldn’t drop another Grand Slam.