For 24-year-old tennis player Naya Morgan, all that glittered certainly wasn't gold. In her relentless pursuit of victory, she had strayed far from the joy of simply playing the game she loved.
Naya's life takes an unexpected turn when she crosses p...
Oops! This image does not follow our content guidelines. To continue publishing, please remove it or upload a different image.
"You look sexy," Jude complimented, his gaze fixed on Naya through the screen of their FaceTime call.
Naya blushed at the unexpected compliment, feeling a rush of warmth spreading through her. "Thank you," she replied, unable to hide the smile that tugged at the corners of her lips. The distance between them suddenly felt a little more bearable as she locked eyes with Jude through the digital window of their connection.
"You're not so bad yourself," she added playfully, her heart skipping a beat at the sight of his charming smile.
"I've been told," Jude said as he leaned back in his chair, his eyes never leaving Naya's. "How is Wimbledon treating you?"
"Amazing," Naya smiled after an intense first round at the tournament, Naya beat her second opponent at Wimbledon in straight sets.
Fame and celebrity matter very little to her, but it was a humbling feeling to experience it grow in real time.
During her first appearance at Wimbledon Naya was knocked out in the second round, barely anyone knew who she was. However, this time around, with each match won, her name echoed a little louder in the tennis world.
Jude listened intently as Naya shared her experiences on and off the court. The way her eyes sparkled when she talked about her victories made his heart swell with pride. He admired her determination and passion for the sport, knowing how hard she had worked to get to where she was.
"Enough about me, I called you to congratulate you!" Naya gushed making Jude's cheeks warm as he felt a wave of happiness at her words. "I watched the game with my dad and my brother, they were going crazy when you scored."
Naya's algorithm was more fashion and tennis than football, but still she'd seen Jude's goal on social media more time that she cared to count.
Although Naya had confided in her sister and Kayla about her relations with Jude, her parents and brother were completely unaware she even knew him on a personal level.
It wasn't that she was ashamed or even trying to hide anything from her family, she just didn't need to burden them with the complexities of her personal life, especially when it came to her budding relationship with Jude.
"I appreciate that, Naya. Your support means a lot to me," Jude replied, feeling a sense of warmth at the thought of Naya watching his football match in the midst of her own Wimbledon tournament.
"Likewise," she blushed.
Their conversation continued late into the night, sharing stories, dreams, and aspirations. They laughed, they teased, and they bared their souls to each other, despite the physical distance that separated them.
As the FaceTime call came to an end, Jude couldn't help but feel a sense of longing to be with Naya in person. He wanted to hold her, to see her smile up close, and to experience the warmth of her presence without a screen in between them.
