It Starts with Love

Chapter 11 - Paris

A/N: Guess how long it took to write this chapter? LOL. Too long, in my opinion but this is the best version I think. Let me know what you guys think in the comments below :)

Big thank you to @Dragonskater123 for helping edit this chapter. Couldn't have done it without you :)

"I'm falling in love with Tal—"

Sascha's words continued to ring in her ears. Taliana had just arrived at the players' lounge and his words bounced around in her head. She sat down in the nearest chair she could find and bowed her head. She needed to get a grip on herself.

Taliana saw Sascha before he saw her. He was walking towards the locker rooms with a determined look on his face. Mischa was with him and he had a sort of comforting arm around Sascha. Seeing Mischa reminded Taliana of their last conversation. He had said something about Sascha liking her back. Remembering this gave her confidence as she approached them. She needed some answers.

"Sascha." Taliana placed her hand on his arm. "Got a minute?"

He looked down at her hand then met her eyes. "Sure." Then he turned to Mischa, "I'll see you in the locker rooms." Mischa was hesitant to leave but he did after he threw a meaningful look Taliana's way.

It threw her off. Taliana was planning to ask him about the press conference but the look on Mischa's face before he left stopped her. She couldn't ask him that now.

"Talia, you okay?" He looked worried.

"Huh?"

"You wanted to say something?"

At the very last minute, Taliana changed her mind. "I just wanted to wish you luck."

Sascha's expression relaxed. "Then why are you so nervous?" He ran his hand up and down her arm. "Loosen up."

He was comforting her. "Ironic. You're the one playing in a while and you're the one telling me not to be nervous."

"We've always had it backwards, Talia," Sascha chuckled. "Stop worrying. You'll get permanent frown lines right there." He pointed to her forehead.

"Then stop playing five-setters."

"I'll try my best."

"Go out there and win, Sascha. I know you can do it." Taliana hugged him then quickly pulled away. These moments with him now felt different. Or maybe she was just more conscious.

Sascha, the observant guy that he was, wondered, "Is something wrong? You really seem on edge."

How could she tell him what was bothering her? This wasn't the time or the place for that conversation.

"Sascha, you have to warmup," Mischa interrupted. Thank God for Mischa.

Taliana could see that Sascha was still concerned about her behavior around him but he nodded and went inside the locker rooms to change after telling Mischa to look after Taliana in his box.

They began walking to the court in silence at first until Mischa spoke. "I like you, Talia, and I don't want to be a killjoy but is this really the time to start something with Sascha?"

If Taliana was shocked by his being forward, she tried hard not to let it show. "We're friends, Mischa."

"I don't think it'll stay that way for long."

"Look, shouldn't this be a conversation you should be having with your brother?"

"I will talk to him about it. After the French Open."