“You appear to be enjoying this way too much,” I grumble.
“No,” she says, her tone becoming more serious. “But I enjoy taking down the bad guys.”
Something in the way she says it makes me wonder if she’s hadyears of practice at bringing them down.
I stare at her, but she gives nothing away.
I shake my head. “I know. No questions. But you will explain it to me when all this is over?”
She nods, but somehow, I’m not sure I’m going to be given the whole truth. Pen has changed, there’s a definite edge to her now.
She returns her gaze to the screens, making it clear this conversation is over—for now.
I leave the room and lean against the wall. Dropping my head back, I stare at the ceiling. I’m not sure what I’d have done if Gabriel hadn’t called Pen. I’m rusty. I wouldn’t be able to do what she’s done in the current timeframe.
I always knew she was good. It’s why I bought my way into her life. Paid to become her partner all those years ago, not that she or anyone other than myself and Prof Dunn know that. It was the best money I ever invested.
I inhale deeply. Her scent is everywhere, invading my senses, getting into my head. The same way it did at university. I resisted her for years. I knew back then Pen was dangerous to me. When she was around, I could forget all about my responsibilities of keeping up expectations. I was able to be myself. Then I split from Darra that Christmas and broke my ankle a month later. Pen was there, helping me pick up the pieces, never asking more than I could give, and supporting me as I recovered from my broken dreams. That was when I fell in love with her, my best friend, but before I could act, fate stepped in.
FIFTEEN YEARS AGO
“So today is the day you’re finally going to ask Pen out?”
I can’t keep the grin from my face as I turn to my best friend.
“I am.”
He claps me on the back.
“About time, man.”
“I know. I just hope...” I stop, not sure I want to vocalise my fears out loud. “It’s going to be more than a little embarrassing if she doesn’t feel the same.”
“Believe me, she does, I’d bet money on it,” Jaxson says, squeezing my shoulder. “And, just so you know. You two will look great together.”
I want to laugh. When we first met one another, nothing could have been further from the truth. We were polar opposites. But over time, Penelope Dawson has definitely thawed in her feelings towards me. She’s become one of mybest friends. She challenges me. Makes me feel alive. Around her, I strive to be a better version of myself. Not what I’ve programmed myself to be, as I try to keep up with expectations of being the eldest Frazer son. Pen is not what you would call a typical woman my parents or society would expect me to date. However, my parents love Pen, my whole family does. She’s special.
“But what if I ruin our friendship? Have misread the signs.”
“Stop panicking. You already know each other’s likes and dislikes. You’ve been friends for nearly four years. Plus, she’s got drive. She’s crazy-mad intelligent, not to mention industrious. May have a more competitive streak than you, and that’s saying something. You and she are the perfect pair. Your family adores her. She’s also not hung up on the Frazer name. Shall I go on?”
I laugh. “No, I think that’s enough of her virtues.”
“Pen will never try to hold you back.”
I grimace at his words, knowing full well who he’s talking about. Darra, my ex-girlfriend.
I raise an eyebrow, making Jax grin.
“And you haven’t been able to keep your eyes off Pen since we got back this term. You’ve been panting after her.”
I give him a playful shove but know he’s not wrong. I’m not sure when my feelings for Pen changed, but they have. She’s all I can think about.
My phone rings.
I stare at the screen and groan.
“What does she want?” Jax says, staring down at the offending piece of tech.
