Wrenny? What the fuck, man?
She hits the ball straight at my head and scores again.
“Hey, no cheap shots,” I warn, pointing my paddle in her direction.
“11-10,” she chimes. “Looks like I might just beat the best player on the Dink and Balls pickleball team.”
I smack the ball in her direction, and she sends it back over the net. The edge of my paddle barely grazes her return, and I miss.
“I win,” she squeals, throwing her hands above her head and doing a little twirl. I know I shouldn’t be staring, but I can’t help it. She looks so fucking happy, and I like that I played a part in it.
Walking over to where I stand, she pats my chest. “Alright, pay up! Why did your day suck?” She pushes herself onto the top of the ping-pong table, leaning back ever so slightly on her hands and crossing her legs.
I take a deep breath and stuff my hands in the pockets of my pants, rocking back on my heels.“I work for my family’s company. Last night my brother announced that he and his wife are moving to Germany for her job. He was supposed to take over as president and CEO at the end of the year. I’m not sure why I did it, but I told my dad I wanted to be considered for the position, and he spent today trying to prove to me that I wasn’t suited for the job.”
“Damn, I’m sorry.” She shifts her weight to sit up a little straighter.
I shrug. “It’s honestly nothing new.”
“Did he say why he thinks that? I’m sure you’d make a great CEO.” There’s a hesitation in her voice, and I can’t help but wonder if she doesn’t think I can do it either.
“No, he didn’t. I’m currently working on this multi-use development project, and I’m really proud of it.” I start to pace. “We acquired the Cedar Hill complex back in June, and I have plans to turn it into this really cool residential and commercial space.”
Wren’s mouth falls open, and her eyes go wide. “Did you say Cedar Hill?”
“Yeah, the shithole complex over on Maple Street. He seems to think that the future CEO should tow the line. Apparently, not only did I fuck up the timeline because I decided to be a decent human and give the current tenants three months to find a place to live, but according to him I also took too many creative liberties with the project.”
She lets out a hum, and the corners of her mouth fall a little.
“Don’t tell me you agree with him?” I laugh.
“Uh, no, it’s not that,” she says. “I’m just trying to process what you just said, and I’m feeling a little woozy. I need a minute.”
She pops off the table and walks back toward the bar silently, so I follow her.
Frank sees us and walks over. “Can I get you something?”
“Water,” she says.
“Are you okay?” I ask, confused as hell, but genuinely concerned that something might be wrong with her.
“You’re talking about Cedar Hill Apartments?” she asks.
“Yeah, why?”
She starts to laugh and doesn’t stop. It’s not a normal laugh. It’s unhinged, bordering on deranged, and if I’m honest, a little scary.
“What’s so funny?”
“You’re the asshole kicking me out of my apartment,” she says in between the deep breaths she's attempting to take to calm herself.
My heart sinks into my gut. “Your apartment?”
“Yeah, I live in the—what did you call it—shithole complex over on Maple Street that you’re tearing down.” She throws air quotes up as she speaks.
“Did I call it that?” I wince. “I meant the super nice complex that I wish I lived in.”
She laughs. “Part of the reason I was drinking alone tonight was because I can’t find a place to live. This is unbelievable.”
