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F ingers snapped in front of her face, startling her from her reverie. Endy blinked quickly and found herself at the water dispenser in the hallway near the gym, holding her bottle under the spigot, the cold water almost cresting and overflowing.

“Someone is in la-la land,” said Paul Rothman, his eyebrows raised. He nudged her away from the cooler and started filling his tumbler. “If you’re anything like me, you’re either thinking about the sexy new golf pro the club just hired … or what you’re going to have for lunch.”

Endy giggled and turned to Paul with a wide smile. “Neither,” she replied. “But not far off.”

“Ooh, do tell.” Paul sipped from the straw poking out of the lid of his tumbler.

“There’s really nothing to—”

“Liar,” Paul said accusingly with a pout. “But it becomes you. Makes you seem mysterious.”

Endy blew a kiss to Paul as she walked away. He was one of her favorite members at Whisper Hills. In fact, he was a favorite among many of the club’s employees. Well-known for his clever wit as well as his generosity, Paul seemed to make every situation simply a bit better.

A couple of years earlier, when Endy had just started as the brand-new assistant director of racquet sports at Whisper Hills, she was surprised to receive an invitation to a happy hour gathering at Gary Lombardi and Dean Fuller’s home.

After all, she’d only been on the job for a few weeks.

But never one to pass up an opportunity to network with the possibility of good food and drink, Endy readily accepted the invitation.

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. “ Organic wine?” 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.”

“Yeah, well look where that got me. Maybe I should have been on the runway,” Sebastian said with a laugh.

“Hmmm, maybe.” Paul chewed on his lip. “Those thighs though … definitely promo.”

Sebastian chuckled. He moved to a stationary bike, settled onto the seat, and started pedaling. “So, I saw you just talking with the assistant director of racquet sports …” he said over his shoulder.

“Oh, Endy?” replied Paul. “She’s fantastic and has become a dear friend. I’ve never met anyone who is more giving and compassionate.”

“Not to mention hot,” said Sebastian.

“Not to mention it,” Paul raised his eyebrows up. “She’s single. I could set you two up if you’d like.”

“I think I got it,” replied Sebastian. He told Paul about their date the previous evening.

“Aha, so that’s why she’s in la-la land today … a blossoming romance.”

“I mean, we’ve only spent a few hours together, but—”

“Sebastian, let me tell you this right here, right now. Endy is a beloved treasure at Whisper Hills. If you hurt her, I will break your other knee. And everyone else here feels the same. If you hurt her, we will make you so miserable that you’ll want—”

“Okay! Okay! I get it, Paul, and I don’t doubt that you all could and would,” said Sebastian, holding up his hands. “But I’m not planning on hurting her, so you have nothing to worry about.”

Sebastian felt eyes on him and slowly looked across the gym. Everyone had stopped their running, stretching, and lifting and were staring at Paul and Sebastian.

Beside the bike he was pedaling, Candi stood near the wall of mirrors. She lifted two fingers in a V, then gestured at her eyes before turning them to point at Sebastian. She mouthed, I’m watching you.

Still seated in a lotus position, Earlene nodded and cracked her knuckles.

Sebastian felt his face flush. And then, peeking out from behind a massive inflated balance ball, Nora said in her high, reedy voice, “If you hurt Endy, I will mess you up.”