Mixed Doubles

AVA

The entire drive was filled with Amora and Riley catching up on past events, talking about school, and sharing inside jokes. I only pitched into the conversation whenever I was explicitly needed, spending most of the car ride staring down at my phone screen. Miles didn't even bother to crack a single joke or tease me like he usually did. His sudden silence made me feel incredibly uncomfortable.

I pressed my forehead firmly against the cool glass of the car window as we drove through a pair of enormous, elegant white security gates.

“Oh my God,” I breathed out softly.

The luxury resort looked less like a normal vacation destination and more like a private island where high-profile celebrities secretly disappeared to whenever they got tired of ordinary life. Massive white stone buildings stretched beautifully across the sunny coastline, their private balconies overflowing with bright pink flowers. Tall palm trees swayed lazily in the warm tropical breeze. Beyond the main reception building, I could see the sparkling, crystal-clear turquoise water stretching endlessly out toward the horizon.

“This place is totally insane,” Riley whispered excitedly right beside me.

The car smoothly pulled into a wide, circular driveway where several modern golf carts were waiting to transport the guests around the massive property. A uniformed resort attendant immediately stepped forward and opened my passenger door.

“Welcome to Azure Cove Resort,” he said with a polite bow.

I stepped out of the vehicle and nearly melted from the delicious warmth of the Mediterranean sunshine. The fresh air smelled like saltwater, expensive sunscreen, and fresh citrus fruit.

“Okay, now I officially never want to go back home,” Riley announced to the group.

“Same here,” I agreed completely.

Inside the main lobby, everything was bright, open, and incredibly elegant. The ceiling stretched two stories high, supported by massive, polished white stone columns. Crystal chandeliers sparkled like diamonds overhead, while a beautiful stone fountain bubbled softly right in the center of the room. A long, luxury marble reception desk sat at the far end of the lobby.

The resort staff already seemed fully prepared for our arrival.

“Welcome, Thompson family,” a smiling receptionist greeted us warmly.

She handed out elegant navy-blue wristbands for us to wear, along with sleek room keycards embossed with the resort's shiny gold logo. Each guest also received a small white envelope containing our activity passes.

I opened mine up immediately to read the front card.

AZURE COVE FAMILY EXPERIENCE PACKAGE

Included Activities:

Beach Volleyball Tournament

Jet Ski Racing

Paddleboarding & Kayaking

Snorkeling Excursion

Sunset Bonfire

“Jet skiing?” Riley gasped out, her eyes going wide with excitement. “I am absolutely doing that today.”

The receptionist handed Uncle David a sleek leather folder containing our daily itinerary. “Your reserved beach pavilion will be fully available for your use all day long. The family tennis tournament begins in approximately forty-five minutes on the main courts.”

“Perfect,” Uncle David said with a satisfied nod.

“Forty-five minutes?” Riley repeated, turning to face me. “That gives us almost no time to change into our sports gear. We need to go right now!”

She grabbed my wrist tightly and started dragging me toward the dressing rooms.

A little while later, we were all standing on the tennis courts dressed in matching tennis gear. The outfits were color-coded: pink tennis skirts and tops for the girls, and blue polo shirts and shorts for the guys. It was a doubles match, meaning there would be two players on each team.

“Ava, you'll be on Miles's team,” Riley announced out of nowhere as we stepped onto the hard court.

“What?! No way!” I protested immediately, my heart doing a strange little flip.

“I know he is completely insufferable, Ava, but Amora is kind of shy around our other cousins. I really want to help her bring her out of her shell, so I need to be her partner for this match. You know I would never trade you, my lifetime partner, for something lame,” she said, pouting her lips and giving me big puppy-dog eyes.

I let out a heavy sigh. “Fine,” I said, rolling my eyes.

“Yes, girl! Now please don't be too harsh on us out there,” she cheered.

“You know I'm not going to do that,” I said, picking up my sports bag to walk over to the opposite side of the tennis net.

We stood on our side of the court, still waiting for Miles to finally show up. I wondered what on earth was taking him forever. He had probably met some random girl on his way to the dressing room and got distracted. I rolled my eyes in disgust at the very thought of it.

“Dork?”

I lifted my head up quickly. Miles was suddenly standing right in front of me on the court.

“Took you long enough,” I said, crossing my arms.

“What are you even doing over here? I thought I was playing on a team with Dad,” he said, folding his arms over his chest like a grumpy nine-year-old kid.

“Well, 'Dad' is currently over there on the second court playing a match with your aunt,” I pointed out.

He huffed out a loud breath, looking totally annoyed. “Do you even know how to properly play tennis?” he asked, looking down at me.

“Watch and be amazed, Thompson,” I said, standing up straight and grabbing my tennis racquet.

He gave me a small, dark smirk before walking away to take his position.