“Same,” Lacey says.
“When is your productivity not shit?” Poppy teases as the three of us walk back into the hall.
“That’s not true. Margaret hasn’t talked to me about it in over a month,” Lacey quips. “What do you have the rest of the day, Wren?”
“Book club, and then Tanner is meeting me at the pickleball courts. He’s helping me with lessons because the normal guy is sick.”
“You’re really going to bring him around Clara and Ethel?” Lacey’s eyes go wide. “Good luck with that!”
CHAPTER 38: STOP DEFLECTING
TANNER
Ipull into the parking lot of the pickleball courts and grab my paddle and water bottle. I’m not exactly sure what Wren needs me to do, but I knew coming meant I got to see her, and I will jump at that opportunity every chance I get.
“Hi!” Wren says, waving in my direction. Her whole face breaks into a wide grin when she sees me. She’s standing with a small group of men and women. Each one is over eighty and dressed in tracksuits.
I quicken my pace, jogging across the grass and through the metal gate. Scooping her up, I spin her around and then set her down slowly. Pushing her hair behind her ear, my eyes find hers. “Am I allowed to kiss you?” I ask.
“Maybe a quick peck,” she says, rising up on her toes. Her lips find mine in a chaste kiss.
“You got to kiss her better than that, honey,” a woman with gray hair says.
“Yeah, kiss her like you mean it,” the woman with white hair and a walker says.
“I think we should give the people what they want,” I say, smirking.
“Not at my job,” she says, giggling and swatting me away. “Tanner, this is Mr. Eugene, Mr. Silas, and Mr. Morton.”
“It’s nice to meet y’all,” I say. “And who are these two beautiful ladies?”
Both women blush. “I’m Clara, and this is Ethel.”
“It’s a pleasure,” I say, laying on the charm thick.
“He’s very cute,” Clara says.
“Looks like I might have some competition,” Eugene chuckles.
“You know I only have eyes for you,” Clara says.
“Ms. Clara and Mr. Eugene are dating,” Wren explains.
Ethel moves toward me and starts to study me. “He’s much cuter than that Johnny,” she says. “See, Wren, this is what we meant by eye candy. You should bring him around Dogwood Manor more often. You’re a very lucky girl.”
“I like to think I’m the lucky one,” I say, putting my hand around Wren’s shoulders, tugging her a little closer. She looks up at me and smiles.
“Alright,” she says. “We need to get started or we're going to be late for dinner. Tanner, Ms. Ethel and Ms. Clara like to watch, so I’ll sit over here with them. Usually, Johnny takes the men out and they do some easy drills and then play a doubles game.”
“Sounds easy enough,” I say. “Gentleman, shall we?”
The men join me on the court.
“Why don’t we start by warming up. Arms out, and let’s do some stretches. All three men put their arms out to the side. Following my lead, they begin to do arm circles.
“Good. Alright take your right arm across your body.” I demonstrate and they copy me. “That’s right, and now your left.” We finish stretching our arms. “Alright fellas, we're gonna do a couple lunges.”
Silas seems to be struggling, so I walk over and attempt to help him.
