It Starts with Love

Chapter 13 - Boodles

A/N: Unlucky number 13 for this chapter. It's fitting for how this chapter unfolds. Don't hate me too much.

P.S. This is a work of fiction. The actions of the characters here are purely something out of my imagination.

Taliana and Sascha were waiting for their ride to Stoke Park outside of the All England Club. Taliana was on her phone checking her social media for the first time in a while.

"I didn't know you were playing at The Boodles." Sascha had an accusing look on his face.

"You're not my manager, are you?" asked Taliana. The car pulled up in front of them and they both climbed in the back.

"No."

"Then why should I tell you?"

"I don't know. You could have mentioned it at one point." Sascha looked away then started grumbling under his breath, "...thought we were..."

"I'm playing at The Boodles, Sasch. There. Now, you know." Taliana leaned against his shoulder then closed her eyes, feeling very comfortable snuggled up to him.

"Thanks for the heads up, champ."

"You're welcome."

Taliana had drifted to sleep during the whole ride to Stoke Park only to be awakened by Sascha when the driver was already parking.

"Wake up, sleeping beauty. We're here. You might want to wipe the drool off your mouth before we get out. There's a lot of people out there," Sascha said while looking out the window. He was gently stroking her hair which made her even more sleepy.

She scrambled to get her phone and look at her reflection. There wasn't any drool in her face. "You're an ass, Alexander."

"Nothing but the best for you." He winked at her then opened the door. When he got down, he offered his hand to help her down. "You're such a princess. You can't go anywhere without help."

"How many times am I going to tell me that I'm not a princess, I'm a queen."

"My queen." Sascha bent down and kissed her. It had become a normal thing for them now. They spent the last two days in their own world. They kissed and they cuddled and it was shaping up to be the best week she'd ever had. There were still a lot of blondes in the picture but Taliana was convinced Sascha preferred her over every blonde out there and over the brunettes too, he said.

Before entering the women's changing rooms, Taliana stopped walking. "You're not going to follow me in here, are you? I know you can't help but stalk me but this is taking it way too far."

"I was making sure you got the right room. We don't want another accident, Talia. You're lucky it was only Dominic in the locker rooms yesterday or else the other guys won't be as understanding."

"That was a mistake. Get over it."

"No, that was you trying to sneak a peek at my abs."

"What abs?"

"I have abs."

"And I'm seven feet tall, don't kid yourself. I have to change, Sascha." Taliana, laughing, hurriedly closed the door to the changing rooms behind her. She could still hear Sascha complaining about his abs outside.

Taliana finished changing and exited the changing room, Sascha was nowhere to be found. She went through her warmup and tried to let loose. She was playing against Victoria Azarenka. Good match up, she thought. She stepped inside the gate when her name was announced. Since it wasn't really a match, she let herself scan the crowd as she waved at them. It turns out to be a big mistake because she spotted Sascha lounging in the front row of the seats on her side of the court. He had his hands behind his head and a mischievous grin on his face.