Page 67 of Love You, Mean It

“Hobbies? Please don’t say finance ’coz that’s just heartbreaking.”

“I learned how to bake bread in the pandemic, does that count? It works well with my low-level OCD. I’m anal enough to be like…really into perfecting that now.”

“I’m listening. Slash hungry.”

“Pairs well with your erotic meat smells. Oh, I’ve got one. Cat guy.” He thumbed his chest. “Like…who wants a pet that’s hardwired to love you already? Way too easy.” He flashed a goofy grin.

“Now we’re getting somewhere.” I tried my fake serve again. Tried not to notice Sam’s furrowed confusion as she took it in. “So…you and Sam?” Everett’s eyes narrowed, assessing, but he said nothing. “It sounds like it’s a new thing?”

“Not sure I’d go so far as to call it athing,” he said, lips twisting with amusement as he took a practice serve, which looked—and sounded—alarmingly professional.

“Did I misunderstand? She made it sound like this was a double date.”

“No, it is. But Sam’s…” He scrunched his nose. It made his youthful face look even younger. “Don’t get me wrong, she’s awesome. Gorgeous, obviously—sorry if it’s offensive to lead with that, but it’s kinda hard not to notice.”

“Completely agreed.”

“And funny. And she’s a total baller at work, which I love. But she and Ibothknow she’s out of my league.” There was wistfulness in his eyes as he stared across the court at Sam. It tugged at my heart a little—how much collateral damage would I have racked up by the time I finally managed to drive Mangia out of town?Not your problem, Ellie. Focus on the goal.Everett shrugged. “Let’s just say I’m not expecting anything.” He rolled his shoulders, trying one more fake serve. “Though, for the record, Ididrespect bro code before I said yes. Because of their, well…” He reddened.

“Gottarespect bro code,” I agreed with a solemn nod, and Everett exhaled, clearly relieved not to have to continue shoving his foot down his throat. With that, he turned to the net, stuck two fingers in his mouth, and whistled shrilly.

“Are we warming up or what?” He bent to grab a ball. “If I don’t at least call in to my ten o’clock, the junior associates are going to swarm me.”

Everett served first, the ball traveling back and forth until Sam hit it near me and I doinked it off the tip of my racket into the geodesic-dome-o-sphere.

“Sorry.” I grimaced.

“No worries,” Theo said, expression gentle. “That’s why we’re warming up. I’ll serve next?”

He hit an easy lob my way. I just managed to scoop it back over the net toward Sam. She rocketed it at Everett, and he shot it back, the ball dropping just inches before the baseline. Sam stretched but didn’t quite reach it with her backhand.

“Still your weak side, Sam?” he said, looking triumphant.

“I don’thavea weak side,” she snipped, but there was a sparkliness in her features that hadn’t been there a few moments before.

“Wow, so glad we’re keeping things casual during the warm-up.” Theo flashed me a private look of amusement.

A few more balls went back and forth, most of the volleys ending with me. I panted as I tried—and failed—to reach Sam’s latest return.

“Should we start?” Everett said. “I want to make sure we have enough time to fit in a set.”

“Just hit it to Ellie and we’ll be done in no time,” Sam said, grinning widely as she bent to pick up a few stray balls, tucking them into hidden pockets at the back of her skirt.

“Wow,thatwas unnecessary,” Theo said, frowning hard. Sam’s eyes darted to his, mouth opening to retort, then she caught herself.

“Sorry, you’re right. But I was only joking. Ellie knows that.”

“Totally. Plus, we all know it’s true. I’m definitely the weak link.”

“So we’ve had more practice. You’ll get there,” Theo said, eyes intent on mine as Sam and I passed each other at the net.

“Absolutely. Sorry, Ellie, I didn’t mean to be an asshole. I tend to get a little…competitive, I guess.” She shrugged.

“We all remember,” Theo said, voice flat. Sam’s eyebrows knitted together.

“Nothing to apologize for. Playing above my level will help me get better, right?” Sam smiled gratefully and we both retreated to our sides of the court.

“You wanna take first serve, Ellie?” Everett said as I neared Theo. “I promise, I’ll keep Sam at bay. Or at least try to prove my valor by getting as many returns as humanly possible.”

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