Backhand Crush

Maya stood at the edge of the padel court, her heart doing that annoying flutter thing it always did around Kai. He'd invited her to play—just the two of them—and she'd spent three hours choosing her outfit before settling on these leggings and the cropped tank top she hoped looked effortless but not like she was trying too hard (even though she totally was).

"You good?" Kai asked, bouncing this bright orange ball off his racket. "You look like you're about to pass a math final."

"I'm literally fine," Maya lied, wiping her sweaty palms on her shorts. "Just...ready to crush you."

Kai laughed, all easy confidence and dimpled cheeks. "Bold words for someone who's never picked up a racket."

Her first serve went sailing over the fence, landing somewhere in the parking lot. Kai didn't even make fun of her—just showed her how to grip the racket properly, his fingers brushing against hers in a way that made her stomach do that stupid flip thing again. By the third game, she was actually returning some shots, and when she smashed a winner past him, Kai's jaw actually dropped.

"Okay, who are you and what did you do with Maya?" he teased during their water break.

"She's been here the whole time," Maya said, feeling braver than usual. "Just needed to warm up."

They sat on the bench, sharing his massive papaya smoothie because the court's cafe was out of mango. Kai's lips were pink from the cold, and he had this tiny smear of orange pulp at the corner of his mouth that she had to physically stop herself from reaching over to wipe away.

"My grandma makes these," he said, suddenly serious. "Back in the Philippines. Haven't had one since she passed."

Maya's chest felt tight. "I'm sorry."

"It's okay," Kai said, his thumb unconsciously rubbing the metal bracelet on his wrist. "Just... thanks for playing with me. I know it's random."

"Not random," she said, and then, because she was feeling reckless from the endorphins and the way he kept looking at her like she was someone worth really seeing, "I've wanted to hang out with you forever."

Kai's eyes went wide, and then soft, and then he was smiling like she'd just given him something precious. "Yeah? Me too."

The sun set behind them, painting everything in shades of tangerine and gold as they gathered their stuff. Maya's arm brushed against his, and neither of them pulled away.

"Same time next week?" Kai asked, holding the court door for her.

Maya grinned, suddenly feeling like she could take on anything—or anyone. "Try to stop me."