Page 16 of The Pickleball Girl Finds Her Match

She’d walked into the entryway, pushed the heavy dark-wood door closed behind her, and then walked through to the open kitchen and dining area. It took her eyes a moment to adjust to the late afternoon light glaring through the wall of windows along the back. A large basket holding pots of delicate white orchids sat in the center of the dining room table, plates of appetizers surrounding it. Cher’s deep, weighty voice sang softly over the home’s built-in speakers. Dozens of guests stood outside, near an inviting pool, the fountain spray drowning out their conversations.

“Hi, I don’t believe we’ve actually met yet,” said Paul Rothman, approaching Endy with his hand outstretched. “I’m Paul. Gary and Dean are out back, so I’m doing their work in greeting their guests. Typical.”

Endy smiled and switched the bottle of wine she brought to her left hand, reaching out her right to shake Paul’s. “Nice to meet you, Paul.”

After grasping Endy’s hand and looking at the wine she held, Paul’s lips pursed. “Organicwine?” he asked, looking aghast. “You’re not one of those, are you?”

Endy’s eyebrows rose, and she looked puzzled. “One of those …?”

“Vegan,” whispered Paul, looking over his shoulder. “Not that there’s anything wrong with that.”

Endy laughed. “I’m not a vegan, and yes, the wine is organic. I went to a wine tasting recently, and we all loved this pinot grigio.”

“Oh, well I do love a good pinot grigio.”

“Then you’ll like this one. Especially paired with those delicious looking carne asada nachos on the table.”

Paul glanced toward the dining room table. “I loved a vegan once, but it didn’t work out.” He patted his thick belly. “It seems that I loved carne asada more.”

They spent the rest of the party together, with Paul introducing Endy to all the guests. By the end of the gathering, Endy had her following week completely booked with people signed up for group and individual pickleball lessons. And she and Paul developed a great friendship.

Still standing by the water dispenser, Paul called out to Endy’s retreating back, “See you tomorrow at the clinic.” She raised her hand and gave a thumbs-up as the clank of the weight machines followed her down the hallway.

Paul turned from the water station, mopped the sweat from his neck with a towel, and surveyed the workout room. The Grands were grouped in the far corner. Candi, her spiky gray hair standing straight out, steadied herself with the wall-mounted bar as she lifted her knee high to her chest. Earlene sat on a yoga mat with a pair of reading glasses perched on her nose, crisscrossed her legs, then rested her wrists across them. And Nora stood at the mirror, staring at her reflection and scrubbing at her mouth with a tissue, removing lipstick staining her teeth.

Sebastian sat at a weight machine on the opposite side of the gym, rhythmically bending his knee up and down.

“Hey, Paul,” Sebastian called out as Paul approached. “How’s the workout going today?”

Paul tugged his damp T-shirt away from his belly. “Grueling,” he answered. “Nobody tells you when you’re young how hard it is to stay fit as you get older.”

“You’re not so old,” said Sebastian, with a smile.

“Oh dear boy, bless you,” replied Paul, returning the smile. “How is your knee feeling?”

“Better,” Sebastian said. “I think that CBD cream you told me about really works. The inflammation has gone down faster, and my muscles feel pretty loose. Thanks for the recommendation.”

“Back in my day, we might have just smoked it instead of smearing it on our bodies,” said Paul. “But who am I to get in the way of progress?”

Sebastian laughed and stood up from the weight machine. “I loved those stories you told me about your career in New York City.”

“And Los Angeles. So many beautiful people in LA,” replied Paul. “Tell me again what kind of work you do.”

Sebastian colored. “Well, right now, kind of nothing,” he replied, ducking his head. “I just haven’t found anything that really interests me, you know, the way fashion did for you.”

Paul felt a note of sympathy for Sebastian. “You’re smart and curious,” he said firmly. “You’ll find something soon.”

Sebastian held out his fist and tapped it against Paul’s. “Thanks, Paul. I really hope so.”

“Too bad I’m not still working,” Paul said. “We were always looking for fit models. And just look at you …” He gestured up and down at Sebastian’s toned athletic body. “This would have been in very high demand. You probably could have walked the runway.”

“I don’t know about that …”

“Okay, well being honest, you’re right. Your thighs are like mine—kind of large.” Paul smoothed his hands over his ample legs. “But you could have at least done promo modeling.”

“I think I was too busy going to school,” said Sebastian.

“And being a college tennis star.”

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