Page 25

E ndy walked into the Stout House to find it was packed and uncomfortably warm.

The odor of a burned hamburger bun drifted in the air, stirred by the multiple ceiling fans.

As she walked past the hostess station, she tucked her phone away after replying to a text from Sebastian.

He’d asked her to go to lunch at the last minute, and she’d responded that she had a work meeting so wouldn’t be able to join him.

“Hey, Joel,” Endy said, placing her phone on the table. He smiled, obviously happy to see her. She pulled out the only other chair and slid onto it. “Who else is coming?”

“Nobody,” replied Joel. “Just us.” Endy slipped him a curious glance but smiled as a waitress set two pint glasses in front of them before walking away.

“I went ahead and got you an IPA too,” said Joel, and he pushed one glass toward Endy.

“Thanks, I guess. I usually prefer wine—”

“This is a new local brew. You’ll love it.”

Endy took a sip, studying Joel. He looked great, with his hair all casually mussed up and his polo shirt tight across his muscular chest. Endy had not failed to notice the waitress checking him out when she’d delivered their beers.

Joel slid a menu across the table, so Endy picked it up and scanned the lunch specials listed. A song by The Weeknd played loudly over the speakers while a busboy cleared a nearby table, the plates clattering as he scooped them into a plastic tub.

Joel cleared his throat. “Did you send back that extra order of tennis bags?” he asked, leaning back into his chair.

“The Wilson ones?” asked Endy, looking up from the menu. “Yeah, those went back yesterday.”

“Good.” Joel nodded. “Good. And what did you tell Maria about her time off request?”

“Well, I told her it was okay. I mean, it’s not every day that her niece has a quinceanera.”

Joel’s eyebrow raised. “She has, like, a thousand nieces.”

Endy chuckled. “Right. But she’s super close to this particular one. She only needs one day off, so I’ll cover her Saturday shift. It’ll be fine.”

“Good.” Joel nodded. He sipped his beer and looked around the crowded room. “Seems like we are finally going to get a break in the weather. It’s been so warm …”

“Joel, what’s going on? Why are you being so weird?” Endy asked, her eyes squinting.

Joel took a deep breath and leaned forward, his forearms on the table.

“Listen, Endy, I’ve been thinking …” He looked deep into her eyes. “Maybe we should never have broken up. We were a good couple once and, um, I think we should try again.”

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 you really sure?” Joel smirked with an eyebrow cocked.

“Dammit,” Endy said, irate. She was not really 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 are not going 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.”