Game of Love Read Online Free PDF Page B

Even innocent dates turned into a mess, leaving her ravaged. Her broken heart seemed to be a perverse form of entertainment.
    An only child, gifted with the skills to compete in the loneliest sport… Maybe she was designed this way for a purpose. What she knew for sure was that in all her attempts to break her solitude, she had made one poor decision after another, falling for those who would eventually hurt her. Her latest with Johnny had been her poorest choice to date. She had to learn to choose better.
    Gemma turned her gaze toward the American’s table against her better judgment.
    “So,” Tish said, “what’s the story with your friend?”
    “Not my friend,” Gemma said.
    “If you say so.”
    Gemma sighed. “Remember how I asked you to contact the restaurant’s manager and ensure the waitress wasn’t reprimanded? Well, he’s the bloke who was scorched this morning when the waitress tripped.”
    “Oh, no shit.” A beat. “Wait. I’m missing something. Then why did you give him the cold shoulder in the lift? I thought we wanted to avoid a potential lawsuit. That was a perfect opportunity.”
    “It wasn’t
that
perfect.”
    “Do you have marbles in your head? You could have made peace with him right then and there. Flash your smile, put on the charm, and we’re in the clear.” Tish shook her head. “A perfect opportunity blown. In Ethiopia we have a saying: Give advice; if they don’t listen, let adversity teach them.”
    Gemma studied Tish, processing her words. A few moments passed as thoughts clashed. Months back, when she was ready to quit tennis, Xavi had reminded her that life was about choices and action.
    Choices and action.

“I don’t like that man. I must get to know him better.”

~Abraham Lincoln
     
    emma waved down the waiter.
    “
Oui, Mademoiselle
Lennon
?
”
    “Can you please ask the young man at that table to join us?”
    Both the waiter and Tish followed her finger. Then they turned back. Tish’s eyes widened.
    “Do you mean
Monsieur
Reyes? The gentleman in the gray sweater?”
    “Yes, him,” she said. At least now she had a last name.
    “Right away,
Mademoiselle
.”
    “Interesting move. Do you have a game plan, or are you improvising?” Tish asked.
    A game plan? Of course not. But it had to be done. Closure was best. “We’ll find out soon enough, I guess. Give me the play-by-play.” She dropped her eyes to her mobile, feigning disinterest.
    “Right. The waiter’s saying something. They’re looking in our direction now, but he’s not moving. I’m smiling–hello.”
    A few seconds passed.
    “Well? Now what?” Gemma sounded more anxious than she intended.
    “We’re good,” Tish said, whispering now. “He’s up with drink in hand, following the waiter. He’s here in three, two–”
    “Hi again,” he said.
    Gemma looked up. “Hello, Mr. Reyes, will you join us?” Gemma’s voice did not waver, but inside she was a wreck.
Settle down.
Others were supposed to be nervous, not her.
    “Sure, thanks,” he said, then turned to Tish. “I’m Andre.”
    Tish introduced herself with a slight grin as he sat across from Gemma.
    “I hope you don’t mind being pulled away from your friends,” Gemma said.
    “Not a problem.”
    Men usually gushed and went out of their way to impress, but not him. He created the impression he didn’t care.
Don’t be an egomaniac
.
He’s not interested.
But if he wasn’t interested, then why had he stared during breakfast?
    “How’s the burn?” Gemma asked.
    “Improving. Thanks for asking.”
    He locked on her eyes, and her heart rate quickened. She broke eye contact and shifted her glass.
What’s wrong with you?
“About the incident this morning,” Gemma said, “I’m not sure where to begin.” She glanced up at him.
    Something changed in his demeanor. “Don’t worry about it. It was an accident. I’m fine and the waitress didn’t get in trouble. It’s all forgotten.”
    The waitress.
Forget the damn