Pickleball and Something Beautiful.

"Nice shot!" Jake yelled out to the team he is supporting.

"Pff, that's an average shot. He couldn't even get a point from it." The beautiful lady seated next to him chuckled.

Jack glanced down at the beautiful lady seated beside him; she had the opposing team shirt on, and a grin played on his lips. "It looks like your team's struggling a bit there," he teased, nodding towards the court where her team was trailing behind.

She shot him a playful glare before responding, "Oh, just you wait. We'll make a comeback."

Jack gave a hearty laugh. "With the kind of game you guys are playing!"

The lady chuckled again, leaning against the railing. "Oh, please. The Thunderbolts clearly don't stand a chance against us, the Fireblaze."

"You think?"

"I know"

There was silence for a moment, then Jack extended his hands.

"I'm jack"

"Emily," cupping his hands in hers with a smile.

"So, Emily, do you come here often?"

"Yes, I mean, no...I I really just got home."

"I see, you… Yes!" he exclaimed, jumping to his feet and turning to the woman beside him. "Did you see that rally from your team?"

"Yeah, it was pretty impressive," she admitted, staring at him with a hint of admiration in her voice. "But they still have a long way to go if they want to catch up."

Jake nodded, impressed by her knowledge of the game. "You really know your stuff," he remarked, a smile tugging at his lips.

She grinned back. "Years of playing pickleball will do that to you," she admitted.

"Years?. You were a professional?" Jack answered, being curious.

"Three years,"' she replied with a grin.

"Do you still play pickleball?" he asked, his tone curiously louder.

Emily's smile faltered for a moment before she shook her head. "No, not anymore," she admitted, her voice tinged with sadness. "I had to stop playing a while ago because of a heart infection. The doctors said it was too risky for me to continue."

Jack's expression softened as he listened, a pang of sympathy tugging at his heart. "I'm so sorry to hear that," he murmured, reaching out to gently squeeze her hand. "But I'm glad you still find joy in watching your team play."

Emily nodded, her eyes misting over with emotion. "Yeah, it's not quite the same, but it still brings me a lot of happiness," she confessed.

As the final whistle was blown and the match came to an end, Jack turned to Emily with a grin. "Well, it looks like my team came out on top this time."

She laughed, shaking her head in mock defeat. "I guess so," she conceded. "But it was a good game nonetheless."

Jack volunteered to walk Emily to the car as they talked about the game and laughed at the gimmicks of their teams.

"That's my car over there," Emily announced, pointing to a red mini car.

"Well, it was really nice meeting you, Emily. I really wished it didn't end." Jack said, opening the door for her.

"Same here," Emily said as she climed into the car.

"Really," he said, leaning on the car. "So how about we do this again at the next game?"

Emily's heart fluttered at his words, a warm flush spreading across her cheeks. "I would like that," she admitted, her voice barely above a whisper.

Jack smiled and pulled out his phone from his pocket. "So how about I call you later?" he asked.

"Are you asking for my number?"

"Yes ma'am"

Emily smiled sheepishly, avoiding eye contact with him. "Alright ". She took his phone and punched in her number, then returned it.

"I'll call you." Shutting the door for her, "Take care of yourself, Emily," he said softly, his gaze lingering on her face.

She nodded, her heart pounding in her chest. "You too, Jack," she replied, a shy smile playing on her lips.

Emily started the engine and waved at Jack Jack, who happily watched as she drove away, a flicker of hope igniting within him. Maybe, just maybe, this chance encounter at the pickleball tournament could be the start of something beautiful.

"Thank you, oh god of pickleball," he danced.