Page 48

I t still amazed Endy how quickly the weather in the desert could go from a beautiful, warm spring day with temperatures in the low eighties to a heatstroke-inducing, flaming-hot oven with temperatures in the low hundreds.

She lifted her long hair off her sweaty neck and piled it on top of her head in a messy bun.

“Why are we headed to Costco?” she asked, turning in her seat with her eyes questioning.

Sebastian smiled mysteriously. “You’ll see.”

She angled the air vent at her face. “It’s so hot. Can’t we just go to your pool?”

“Maybe we aren’t going to Costco. And we will get in the pool, but after this,” he replied as he turned his car into the parking lot across the street. “Close your eyes.”

“What—”

“Just close your eyes. And keep them closed.”

Endy felt the car slow to a stop, and she kept her eyes shut. She heard Sebastian walk around the car and her door open.

His hand reached in for hers, and he pulled her out of her seat and then wrapped her in a tight hug.

“Don’t open your eyes.”

“I’m not! I’m not!” She frowned. “Can we just go? I’m so hot.”

He turned her around and stood behind her, his hands on her shoulders. He leaned close to her ear, kissed the side of her head, then said, “Okay. You can open your eyes.”

Endy’s eyes opened to the sight of an enormous sign covering the front entrance of the empty building across the street from Costco.

PICKLE NATION

Indoor pickleball facility

Proud sponsor of Picklers Youth Pickleball League

OPENING SOON

Her mouth dropped open, and she screamed, “SHUT UP!” She started jumping up and down with her arms raised over her head, pumping the air with her fists. “Oh my god, Sebastian! Is this yours?”

Sebastian grinned and nodded.

“Yours!” exclaimed Endy. She brought her hands to her cheeks in wonder. “And it’s all pickleball? How many courts? Tell me everything!”

“Yes, and plenty. But see that row of windows?” He pointed to the upper portion of the building. “That’s the most important part.”

“What is that?”

“There’s a live/work loft with a full kitchen, huge bathroom, bedrooms—”

“For who?”

“Well, for me …” Sebastian walked to his car, his limp barely noticeable. He opened the glove compartment and took out a teal-blue box tied with a white satin ribbon, which he then presented to Endy. “And I’d heard you were getting kicked out of your casita and needed someplace to live, so …”

Endy’s eyebrows pulled together. She gently lifted the top off the small box, and nestled inside was a Tiffany key ring.

Sebastian dipped his head and pressed his lips to Endy’s, tenderly kissing her.

“Welcome home, pickleball girl.”