Page 27

“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.

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.

“Endy has put together a great little program for kids in pickleball,” Sebastian finally interjected.

“A little pickleball program for kids,” said Sloane, wrinkling her nose. “That’s so sweet.”

“Puta,” muttered Maria, her eyes narrowed.

Barbara smoothed the sleeves of her linen tunic. “That children’s pickleball business,” she said, “must it be here, at our club?”

“Well, no,” replied Endy. “It doesn’t need to be at Whisper Hills, but the club has been super generous in providing the courts for free.”

“For free?” exclaimed Barbara, her immaculate eyebrows raised.

“Yeah, thank goodness. Otherwise, we wouldn’t be able to afford the program. In fact, I’m still trying to raise the final $20,000 for next year. I only have a couple more weeks.”

Sebastian smiled. “Well, you should be a little closer to hitting your budget,” he said as he slid his hands in his pockets. “Because I just signed up this afternoon.”

“You signed up for pickleball?” two voices said in unison. Endy looked at Sloane, who looked at Endy.

“Yeah,” replied Sebastian, “with Paco.”

“That kid?” Joel snickered. “Good luck with that.”

“Why would you sign up for pickleball, for goodness’ sakes?” asked Sloane.

“Well, because when I asked Paco who he was partnered with, he told me he wasn’t planning on playing. Nobody has signed up with him.”

“Have you seen him? There’s a reason for that,” replied Joel.

“I would have found him a partner,” said Endy defensively. Although in truth, she still had not been able to fill all the kids’ slots and was in need of more adult players. When she last checked, there were still about ten kids who had not been paired up to play with an adult.

“I know you would have. But I saved you that step,” said Sebastian, cocking his eyebrow at Endy. “You can repay me later.” Sloane’s eyes narrowed, and Barbara pursed her lips. “Plus, you know, pickleball can actually be kinda fun.”

It was as if the earth had quit spinning on its axis. Sloane’s jaw dropped, and Barbara’s eyebrows rose high on her forehead. They stared at Sebastian with matching expressions of absolute horror.

“Oh my god, Sebastian,” said Sloane with a mocking laugh. “That’s hilarious.”

She moved closer to him. “I mean, it’s really generous of you to offer your time to that little pickleball program for kids .” She placed her slender hand on his arm. “So you just go have your teeny tiny bit of fun that day with that child.”

“I’m not doing it just for Paco,” said Sebastian, a look of annoyance across his face.

“But what other reason could you possibly be doing it for?” replied Sloane. “When the academy gets up and running, you’ll offer your time for us and not have to be involved with pickleball.”

“Don’t tell me—”

“We’ll get you settled in when I return from my trip to Bali with my parents,” Sloane interrupted, then gazed up at Sebastian. “Remember last time we were there? Come again,” she purred. “We can get the same room.”

“Sorry, I’m pretty sure I’m busy.”

Sloane laughed low. “Really, Sebastian? How busy could you possibly be here? You don’t have a job. You don’t—”

Sebastian cut her off. “I’m just busy.”

“The Indian Wells BNP Paribas Open is gearing up for this year’s tournament,” said Barbara. “I’m sure I can set you up to be a hitting partner with one of the players. Maybe Taylor Fritz? You know, our families used to be quite close.”

Sebastian sighed with exasperation. “Thank you, but I’m fine. I don’t need you to set me up. You’re not my agent.”

Joel placed his hand on Barbara’s elbow. “Sorry to interrupt, but it looks like Daniel wants us to go join the table.” Barbara turned away from Sebastian, her deep frown quickly erased.

“Sloane,” Barbara said, reaching out her hand, “let’s go. I’ll introduce you to Rob and Melanie Lynch. They just purchased the house next to mine.” Barbara grasped Sloane’s hand, and they turned toward their table. She called over her shoulder, “Sebastian, come join us. You can meet them as well.”

Sebastian took a deep breath and let it out slowly.

Before he stepped away, he reached his hand out and cupped Endy’s jaw, his thumb rubbing a gentle caress.

“I’ll call you later,” he said, softly. And then he followed behind Barbara and Sloane and smoothly placed a hand in the small of each of their backs.

Pensive, Endy chewed at her thumbnail and slid a sideways look at the handsome trio as they walked away.

Sloane was obviously very close and familiar with Barbara Tennyson—enough that they knew the same people, and enough that their outfits matched.

And with her invitation for him to join her in Bali, it was also obvious that Sloane was determined to get back together with Sebastian.

The lights in the room flicked on and off, prompting people to move from the bar and head to their tables. The evening’s emcee tapped a microphone, testing the volume, then held up his hand waiting for the group to settle.

“Well that was—” said Paul, his fingertips tapping his mouth.

“Uncomfortable,” said Steven.

“Bitchy,” said Maria.

“—a stunning outfit that Sloane was wearing,” said Paul at the same time. The rest of the group stared at him. “I mean, look at how that shade of ivory compliments her coloring.” He glanced at Endy and shrugged. “Sorry!”

Endy drew in a deep breath and slowly shook her head.

She picked up her full wine glass from the table and chugged.

Because not only was that everything her friends had said—uncomfortable, bitchy, and a stunning outfit—but to Endy, that also felt like an indication of what her life could look like in the days ahead.