“I’m going to miss you,” she says. “We all are.”
My heart constricts at her words. I’m going to miss them all, too. The past week in the US proved that. Was that why I jumped at the chance to come back here, help Elijah?
“Nah, you won’t,” I say, needing to deflect. “You have Stella and Nat, and Kat and Harper. April now as well. You’ll have forgotten me in a heartbeat.”
Leah pulls back and stares at me, her eyes wide.
“Is that what you think? You, my lovely lady, are very much mistaken. No one can replace you. There is only one Penelope Dawson.”
Her eyes glisten as she pulls back, taking her drink in her hands.
“Thank you,” I say, her words meaning more than I can express.
Old hangups die hard, and as an outcast, being accepted is something I still find challenging.
“I promise not to be a stranger.”
We finish our drinks, and I pay the bill before Leah can say anything.
“I better get this little man home before he wakes up.”
We walk back onto the street, and I see Mason pulling up at the kerb. Before Mason can get out, I help her unclip the seat of the buggy that also doubles as a car seat. Mason is out and holding open the door in the blink of an eye.
“Hi, Mason,” I say, leaning into the car and strapping Callum’s seat in while Leah helps Mason with the rest of the bags and buggy frame.
Leah climbs in, and Mason moves back to the door.
“Do you need a lift?” he asks.
I smile. “No, thank you. I have some jobs to do.”
He smiles and closes the door. I bend down and wave through the window before turning away.
I have something to do, and there’s no time like the present.
CHAPTER 28
ELIJAH
Istumble into my apartment, barely able to put one foot in front of the other. How did my life become so complicated? I can’t shake thoughts of Pen or that she’s hiding something major from me.
What the hell, and who is her handler?
It pisses me off my brother knows more than he’s letting on, but then he always was watertight. It’s why I wasn’t afraid when he found out about Lottie. Then again, he could simply be yanking my chain where Pen’s concerned. It’s hard to tell these days.
I sink down onto the sofa and drop my head back against the cushion, closing my eyes. I thought taking the initiative and splitting from Darra was going to be my biggest move. How wrong could I have been?
It’s dark when I open my eyes. The incessant ringing of my intercom forces me awake.
I run a hand over my face, rubbing my eyelids to get them to function.
“Lights on,” I say sleepily, activating the in-house system I installed a while back.
I get up and make my way across to the wall.
“Yes,” I snap, pressing the intercom button.
“About time.” Pen’s voice fills the surrounding space, my stomach clenching at the sound. “I was wondering if you weren’t in, but I hacked your phone’s tracker, and it said you were here.”
