2.7 Tim

"T, these girls are good," whispered Josh between points. "If you think going easy will score you points with them, think again. I don't think they're like that."

Tim snorted. "Buddy, I'm exhausted, not 'taking it easy'. You're right - they are good."

"Well suck it up then. I have my eye on the little blonde and I want to look good. C'mon we're two points away!"

Sydney was waiting to serve. "Uh, 'scuse us, but if you're done chatting?" She smiled at Tim, pointed the ball at him and reached up to serve.

Tim thought it was a beautiful thing to watch. She wasn't as slim as the other two, but had amazing curves in all the right places. She was tall and graceful, and carried herself with confidence and humour that was infectious. The three of them made a stunning picture, but Tim had eyes only for the brunette who was about to serve.

"Sorry Sydney," Tim said, raising his hands in apology. "Josh needed some advice on returning your serve."

"Oh yeah?" she answered. "Let's see if it helped then."

And with that she tapped an easy yet powerful shot that landed squarely in the hole between Josh and Tim.

"Wooo Hooo!" screamed Olivia.

"You go girl!" added Summer. "Game point guys - we are so winning this one."

Tim had no idea what had just happened. He and Josh were usually completely in sync.

"I thought you had it T," said Josh.

"Me? It was to you buddy. She even said so!"

"But she pointed at you!"

Olivia cut in. "Quit fighting boys. It's game point. For us, that is. Just, y'know, to clarify."

The girls burst into laughter and Sydney prepared to serve once again.

Josh piped up, trying to distract her. "Bets on this one? Anyone? Losers pick up the tab at the pub?"

And under his breath he said to Tim, "either way, we win. Dibs on Olivia."

Tim laughed. "I think you would have your hands full there, but go right ahead. Ok, let's win this."

Summer shouted "I'll have an apple martini!"

"Make it two," added Olivia.

"And mine," said Sydney, tossing the ball in the air, "would be,"

"A Caesar," thought Tim. "She's going to order a Caesar."

"A Caesar!" shouted Sydney, smacking the ball up the middle with all her might.

Tim dove to the ball, tapping it up nicely to Josh who set it high, giving him a chance to scramble to the net and spike it over. But Summer was there, blocking perfectly and sending it to the back corner. Josh reached behind him and sent it back over the net.

"Mine!" called Olivia. "To you Syd!"

"Summer!" said Sydney, setting the ball neatly to Summer who then faked a slam and instead tapped it neatly cross court.

Tim and Josh collided in their efforts to reach the ball, but it was no good.

The girls grinned and hugged, and then walked to the net.

Tim looked up at Sydney who was smiling through the net. She was covered in sand, and he had never seen anyone looking so hot.

"Guys?" she said, "I take mine extra spicy."

Tim swallowed hard. It was going to be a good night.