“Larsson. That bikini is almost obscene by your standards.”
Usually, I opted for a one-piece, but my kit sponsor had offloaded a bunch of their new summer line on me, including this pale blue bikini that was probably more skinny straps than actual fabric. It covered everything essential, and it was comfortable to swim in, so what did I care beyond the way it made Toni stare like she was trying to memorise me for a test.
“We can’t all… What do our Aussie pals call it? Smuggle little birds?”
“I heard you’ve gone all communist on us. So bored of winning you’ve picked a fight you must lose?” I swept a little wave at him with my arm to express my annoyance. He took it in stride and kept at me, wading in my direction till I was backed into a corner of the pool. “Hey, I get it. I like to mess with the suits whenever I can. I think sometimes they forget who makes them all this money. Nobody ever bought two grand hospitality tickets to watch some accounting.”
“Careful, boy wonder. I might start thinking you’re on my side.”
“Oh, I’m not on any side that doesn’t make me money. Still, you’re my white whale, the one that got away. I should do something nice for you.”
“Jürgen, you didn’t ever stand a chance. I’m gay.”
His smile was almost blinding. “What? I thought that was just bitching from all the guys you knocked back. Including me.”
“Charming.” Okay, it was a little funny how relieved he looked. Had I really been such a hit job on his masculinity?
“So who’s the lucky lady? There must be one on the scene now or you would have told me sooner.”
Which naturally, was Toni’s cue to swim over.
“Babe?” She gave Jürgen the once over. “Is he bothering you?”
“We’re all friends here, Ruiz. Congrats on making the final, by the way. Keep this up and you might even win a big one. Although since you’ve melted the Ice Princess, maybe that’s the only prize that matters, hmm?”
“We should go.” Toni pointed to the huge clock on the wall. “My mother will be landing at Barajas any minute.”
Jürgen wasn’t impressed by her dismissal, but he turned to me once more. “Anyway, something nice. I heard some of the boys’ chat in the locker room, and they think there might be the same problem in the men’s testing. I asked if they had proof and someone can get it. You want a copy? I can have the guy hand it right over to you.”
“Why would you help me?” I asked, feeling Toni’s arm slip around my waist under the water. A united front.
“Like I said, I stick it to the man when it amuses me. Give them hell, see what happens next. He’ll leave an envelope at reception for you. This afternoon sometime.”
“Thanks,” I called back to him, following Toni’s lead towards the ladder and dry land. Maybe I did have legs to stand on after all.
Chapter Twenty-Six
I couldn’t tell Toni, but while we got ready for her mother’s arrival, I felt very queasy. Not because I thought I’d make a bad impression, although there was a reason my lingering nickname was the Ice Princess. Not just because I was cool under pressure. No, this was one area where my lack of real-world experience tripped me up. I hadn’t really done meet-the-parents in any real way, apart from a couple of nice parties at Celeste’s home back in Michigan. Then there was the complicating factor that Gabriela didn’t care much for tennis. When I ran out of things to talk about, I could usually fall back on that.
At least Toni seemed nervous too, right up until her mother strolled into the hotel lobby, and then every bit of tension evaporated in a massive hug and a torrent of Spanish that seemed like a mutual compliment fest.
“Mama, this is Elin.”
“Por dios, Antonia, I know who she is. This lady is on television and magazines more than the Pope. It’s very nice to meet you. I’ve been hearing for at least ten years that you are the greatest thing to ever happen to tennis.”
I shook Gabriela’s offered hand, a little dumbstruck. Toni had the good grace to blush.
“It’s very nice to meet you,” I said. “And your English is fantastic. Does that run in the family?”
“If you live in the part of Spain that the English have invaded, you learn,” she replied. “Although I always say your people have the right idea: raise all the kids bilingual. God knows the English never will.”
“Toni will have to go and get ready soon, but we have time for some coffee,” I suggested. “I could take your things up to her room and then join you both?”
“No, no, leave it to the bellboy. I might not be so good talking about your little yellow balls you all care so much about, but I do want to talk to the woman who has Antonia so…well. I’m sure you know.”
Gabriela linked her arm with mine, and the other with Toni’s.
“Come on, girls, there’s a lot to talk about.”
I let Gabriela hang back with the officials and players in the lounge, soaking up the praise for her daughter, and made my way to the seats a little early. We had survived her interrogation, but I was still a little stunned. I’d never been so relieved as when Toni got her call to go start the official warmup.
Taking my seat, I was pleased to note that the court was pristine, freshly raked, and just the hint of a breeze had the net rippling lightly. Clay courts slowed play down considerably, took away the advantage of big servers like Celeste.
Perfect conditions for Toni’s style of play. She could do this.
When someone came to sit beside me, I assumed it was Gabriela. Then I recognised the perfume and turned to discover Mira. Like
