Page 19 of The Pickleball Girl Finds Her Match

A girl Endy taught in her pickleball class introduced them, and Endy had fallen hard and fast for Bennett. He was more than ready to get into another serious relationship after his previous girlfriend had broken up with him a few months prior. So, within a couple of weeks, Endy and Bennett had gone from dating to spending just about every day with each other. And then it was only two more weeks until they got engaged.

Endy couldn’t believe her luck in meeting Bennett. He was good-looking, cultured, well educated, and came from a wealthy family in Seattle, so Endy did everything she could to be the type of woman he would want to spend his life with.

Endy slowly adopted Bennett’s mannerisms and chose to become quiet and respectful of his opinions. She knew Maria didn’t approve of the changes to her personality, but Endy had had unsuccessful relationships before in her life, and she did everything she could to make sure this relationship was the one that would succeed.

But when Bennett’s ex-girlfriend arrived back in San Francisco after living in Barcelona for the past few years, she had run right back to him, begging his forgiveness and telling him how much she had missed him. Immediately, it was glaringly clear how well suited they were for each other, much more so than Endy had ever been in Bennett’s world. And within a month, Bennett left Endy to get back together with his ex, and Endy found herself heartbroken and un-engaged.

Maria and Endy sat on their apartment’s rooftop, eating ice cream out of the containers.

“I am so sorry about the bad news from mytia,” said Maria, licking her spoon. “I can’t believe she’s raising the rent on our place.”

“It’s not your aunty’s fault,” replied Endy. “She gave us a pretty sweet deal these past couple of years. There’s no chance we can afford to stay any longer.”

Endy placed the container of ice cream next to her, then lay back. Darkness pressed heavy on the rooftop, and Endy felt Maria recline next to her.

“It’s time, anyway,” Endy said in a low voice. “Now that Bennett and I aren’t together, nothing is keeping me here. I think a change of scene is probably a good idea.”

“I hate that you had to go through that with Bennett,” said Maria, reaching out and wrapping her fingers in Endy’s. “But,amiga,he wasn’t the one. You deserve better.”

“Better?” argued Endy. “You know who was better? She was. Prettier, smarter, richer.”

“Shut your mouth!” replied Maria. “The next guy who falls in love with you is going to be the one.”

“Sure, until his beautiful ex-girlfriend comes back. Just like—” Endy said. “Ouch! Did you just pinch me?”

Maria sat up. “And I’ll do it again every time you say you’re not good enough for some guy. Plus, the probability of an ex coming back and stealing your boyfriend away from you again is, like, one in a million.”

“Okay, okay, I get it.” Endy sighed. “Maybe your aunt raising our rent is a sign. I need a change, which means you do too, bestie.”

“We go together,” Maria nodded. “But aren’t you worried about what we’re going to do next?”

“Kind of,” replied Endy. “But it’ll work—”

“Oh my god, did you see it? Another sign!” exclaimed Maria, as a streak of light crossed the night sky. “Make a wish!”

Already ahead of Maria, Endy squeezed her eyes closed and crossed her fingers. “Please come true,” she whispered, her wish on the shooting star serious and weighty in her heart.“Please.”

When she’d arrived home from work the next day, she’d barely stepped through the door when Maria came rushing toward her, breathless.

“Just what did you wish for when we saw the shooting star?”

“What did I wish for? Why?” asked Endy with a blank look.

“Because … pack your sunscreen,” Maria yelled, jumping up and down. “We’re going to sunny SoCal!”

“Wait, what?”

Maria grabbed Endy’s arms, a smile wide across her face. “We are moving to Palm Springs! My cousin got us jobs at a country club called Whisper Hills!”

Endy’s eyes widened and she enveloped Maria in a hug. “What just happened?”

“That wishing on a shooting star thing really worked, because they want us down there in two weeks.”

So with a brand-new tube of SPF 50-plus sunblock, a fairly new two-piece swimsuit, $700 in her checking account, and a roller bag, Endy headed to Palm Springs with her best friend, starting another two-year adventure.

Endy fished a black Sharpie from the messy desk drawer under the pro shop’s computer and wrote in between the lines and smiley faces.

ENDY’S FAVOR PAYMENT OPTIONS

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