Page 40 of The Pickleball Girl Finds Her Match

Endy raised an eyebrow.

“You don’t know,” Maria said, putting a reassuring hand on Endy’s arm. “They probably don’t even hang out when they’re not playing tennis.”

“You’re right. I really have only seen them together here, at the racquet club.” Endy shrugged and nodded. “They probably don’t even talk or see each other when they’re not here.”

“Exactly,” replied Maria, nodding firmly.

25

Trivia Nights at the clubhouse were always well attended by a lively and boisterous mix of club members and employees. Endy was again sitting at a table with Maria, Dr. Steven Markowitz, Paul Rothman, and the Jacobses. They called their group The Pink Dinks and all wore shirts in hues of pink with their team name emblazoned across the front. The group was very competitive. So competitive that The Grands had sworn off Trivia Nights “until Earlene turns 110, or we all die off, whichever happens first.”

“Endy, I hope you brought your A game,” said Steven, leaning across the table. “We really need to beat the Smartinis this month.”

“There’s no way they are winning again,” Endy replied. “I hope we get a ton of questions about Taylor Swift, because I will slay.” While it was important for her to contribute in the pop culture category, Endy was really hoping to use the couple of hours to raise more money for Picklers.

“George spent hours today on the internet,” said Dawn as she pulled out her chair. “He found a website called ‘101 Trivia Questions and the Answers’ and was trying to memorize them all.”

“Except at my age, I can’t remember what I ate for lunch, let alone 101 trivia answers,” replied George. Steven laughed and clapped George on the back, which set him into a coughing fit. Dawn rolled her eyes and handed her husband a glass of water.

Endy laughed too and looked around the room at the fliers she had printed and placed on each table with information on the Paddle Battle. Many of the tables were already crowded with people chatting and sipping drinks, but the table closest to the front was not yet full. Daniel York sat there with a few others who were quietly sipping martinis and bourbon, his arm slung over an empty seat next to him, a glass of white wine already poured.

Joel stood close to the Pink Dink’s table, his arms crossed, surveying the crowd, occasionally nodding to club members seated at their tables or waiting at the bar.

“¡Ay!”Maria’s eyes grew huge, and she grabbed Endy’s arm. “Don’t look.”

“Don’t look at what?” Endy turned toward the entry and immediately spotted what Maria was looking at.

Sloane Stewart floated into the dining room wearing a silky cream jumpsuit that complimented her gorgeous coppery hair. A sophisticated older woman, looking polished and stunning in matching cream linen, was on her arm … Barbara Tennyson. All eyes in the room were focused on them as they walked toward Daniel’s table.

And two steps behind them was Sebastian.

Endy choked and quickly turned to Maria. “What are they doing here together?” She yanked the hot-pink scrunchie from her topknot and shook out her hair, raking her fingers through, trying to tame the tousled mess. She smoothed the front of her T-shirt and gathered the hem, tying a knot at her waist. Endy was mortified at how she looked compared to Sloane’s effortless style.

Maria hissed as Joel waved the group over to their table. “Barbara,” greeted Joel as he leaned in to kiss Barbara’s cheek. He moved aside. “You know Endy, right?”

“Ah yes, hello, Miss Andrews,” said Barbara. Endy could feel Barbara’s cold gaze, taking in her fuchsia-colored T-shirt and the scrunchie puffed around her wrist.

Joel stepped up to Sloane and air-kissed both cheeks. “Fight on,” she greeted Joel.

Maria made a gagging sound and crossed her arms over her chest.

Sebastian walked behind the group, greeting and shaking hands with Paul, Steven, and George. He leaned close to Dawn and kissed her cheek, then did the same to Maria. When he neared Endy, his eyes crinkled and he reached out and tugged at the T-shirt’s knot at her waist.

“You’re the cutest Pink Dink in the room,” he said and kissed Endy’s cheek. Her heart skipped and Endy felt their familiar chemistry and attraction as her hand brushed Sebastian’s. She longed to throw herself at him and have his strong arms wrap around her.

Joel, with his hand still on Sloane’s shoulder, turned to Endy, then cleared his throat and said, “I don’t believe you two have actually met. Endy, this is Sloane Stewart. She’s going to be running our new junior tennis academy.” Sloane turned toward Endy with a wide smile. Her long, thick eyelashes fanned out and her lips shimmered with gloss.

“Sorry I’m crashing your party,” she said, her eyes looking past Endy to the other guests in the room.

“Well, it’s not really my party,” replied Endy gesturing out at the stage. “It’s Trivia Night.”

“I mean, it’s just a perfect time for Barbara to introduce me around.” Sloane caught the eye of a sophisticated older couple, and she smiled and waved. “Oh, there’s the Daleys … and the Russos.”

Barbara shifted closer to Sloane. “Sloane’s new program is certainly going to appeal to many members who’ve spent years playing tennis here and are ready to give back.”

“Of course, I know so many of them already. But it can’t hurt to broaden my outreach and bring in even more funds for the junior tennis academy.”

“That’s actually what I’m trying to do tonight,” replied Endy.

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