She laughed. "Well, thanks… I think. Did I look bad before?"

"I don’t mean you look beautiful, that never changes. I mean you look happy."

Lifting a hand to one of the hands on her shoulder, Spencer squeezed. "I am happy."

"It shows. In Ashley too." Briefly he hesitated, then plunged ahead. "Listen, I don’t know what happened between you two before, but—"

"Aiden…" Spencer shook her head to ward off questions.

"But," he continued, "I want you to know I hope you make it this time."

"Oh, Aiden." Shutting her eyes, she went into his arms. "So do I," she sighed. "So do I."

"I asked you to keep an eye on her," Ashley said from behind them. "I didn’t say anything about touching."

"Oh, hell." Aiden tightened his hold. "Don’t be so selfish. I need love too." Glancing down at Spencer, he grinned. "Can I interest you in lobster tails and champagne?"

"Sorry." She kissed his nose. "Somebody already offered me pizza and cheap wine."

"Outclassed again." With a sigh Aiden released her. "Why don’t we play tomorrow?," he asked Ashley.

"Okay."

"Six o’clock, court three."

"You buy the coffee."

"We’ll flip for it," Aiden countered before he sauntered away.

Alone, Spencer and Ashley stood for a moment in awkward silence while an airplane droned by overhead. The awkwardness had cropped up occasionally on their return to the States. It was always brief and never commented on. In the few seconds without words, each of them admitted that full truths would soon be necessary. Neither of them knew how to approach it.

"So," Ashley began as the moment passed, "how did it go?"

"Easily," Spencer returned, smiling as she leaned to kiss her. "I didn’t need the bodyguard."

"I know how you feel about press conferences."

"How?"

"Oh…" Ashley combed Spencer’s hair with her fingers. "Terrified’s a good word."

With a laugh Spencer held out her hand as they started to walk. "Was a good word," she corrected her. "I’m amazed I ever let it get to me. There was one problem though."

"What?"

"I was afraid I’d faint from starvation." She sent Ashley a pitiful look from under her lashes. "Someone did mention pizza, didn’t they?"