Page 38 of The Pickleball Girl Finds Her Match

Endy’s jaw dropped and her eyebrows drew together. “What?” she sputtered. “Joel, what are you even talking about?”

“I’m talking about wanting to get back together with you,” he replied with a smile.

“I am totally confused,” said Endy. “Does your wanting to get back together with me have anything to do with Sebastian Hall showing up and me spending time with him?”

“Don’t be silly.” Joel shook his head, then reached out and covered Endy’s hand with his.

“Joel, I know that you didn’t just imply that I’m silly,” she said, her eyes shooting daggers at him.

Joel’s mouth twitched and he took a sip of beer. “Some women are pretty sexy when they’re silly. Kristen Wiig. Anna Faris. Our Wilson sales rep, Summer.”

“Joel!” Endy growled. “Don’t be gross about someone we work with. I’m going to pretend that you didn’t just say that.” She shook her head so vigorously that her hair loosened from the topknot on her head and tumbled down her back. “And why would you even consider us getting back together? We’re so over and done with.”

“God, you’re really upset,” he said, trying to laugh it off. He reached over and tucked a strand of hair behind Endy’s ear. “Couples get back together all the time, Endy. I mean, look at Sloane and Sebastian. They could get back together pretty easily.”

“That’s not going to happen.”

“Are you sure?”

“Yeah, I’m sure,” Endy replied with a toss of her head.

“But are youreallysure?” Joel smirked with an eyebrow cocked.

“Dammit,” Endy said, irate. She wasnotreally sure that Sloane and Sebastian would not get back together. They certainly seemed perfect for each other, and he had loved her once before, so what would stop him from loving her again? “I wish there was a steak knife on this table because I would completely stab you in the hand right now.”

“Stab me in the hand?”Joel repeated, his jaw dropping open. But then a huge smile bloomed across his face, he pushed back and bent over the table, laughing uncontrollably. “You’re not going to like it when we start going out again and I only have the use of one hand.”

Endy covered her mouth, trying to hold back her own laughter. But unable to contain it, she joined Joel, laughing so hard that her shoulders shook and she had to wipe tears from her eyes.

The waitress gingerly approached the table. “You guys ready to order?”

“Yeah, let’s order lunch,” Joel answered, still smiling. He pushed the menus to the end of the table. “Endy, what are you going to get?”

Endy grinned and blinked twice, purposefully. “The steak salad.”

They burst out laughing again while the waitress gave them a puzzled look before quickly taking Joel’s order and walking away.

“You drive me crazy,” Endy said when she’d finally caught her breath. “And you and I both know that we arenotgoing to start dating again.”

“We’ll see,” replied Joel, rubbing his chin. “We’ll see.”

“I don’t know what’s up between you and Sebastian Hall, but I’m not the prize to be won in any contest.”

“I know that, Endy,” he said. “But even if it were a contest, I’d win. I always win against that clown, Sebastian.”

24

Endy and Maria unfurled the banner and laid it flat on the hallway floor. A strong vinyl odor wafted around them.

Whisper Hills Country Club

2023 PADDLE BATTLE

Picklers Youth Pickleball fundraiser

Registration open now!

“Smells like money,” said Maria, rubbing her palms together.

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