“I texted them. They’re fine.”
That had been an awkward message to send in the group chat—me explaining that Penny and I were together but keeping it private for now.
Rex: Define “private.”
Keaton: Like HR-private or secretly married in Vegas-private?
Richard: Should we prep an NDA for all of us to sign?
Brooks: You’re safe, man. We’ll play dumb.
Me: And guys, keep my ex out of the conversation in front of Penny. No mention of the past. I’m done with that.
Rex: Of course.
Richard: Exes shall not be named while in Penny’s presence.
Brooks: We got you.
Me: Appreciated. Delete this thread before your wives see it.
Keaton: Too late. Sophie peeked. I’ll use my manliness to keep her from talking. [wink emoji]
I pocketed the phone that day with a groan. The guys might joke like brothers, but they had my back. They always did.
“I’m afraid they’ll judge me because of Brianne,” Penny admitted now.
I reached over the console, brought her hand to my thigh, and brushed my thumb over her knuckles. “They won’t. They already promised to behave. No questions, no comparisons, no history lessons. Just good food, too much beer, and people who’ll like you as much as I do. Trust me, please. You’ll get along fine. And if you don’t, say the word. We’ll leave early and go have our own Thanksgiving at Richard’s guesthouse tonight.”
“You’d leave early for me?”
“Hm. Eat, drink, and be thankful with my friends who I’ve known forever or… take you to bed and eat, drink, and be thankful for you? Hard choice. Very hard.” I slid her hand to my cock, which ached by now for want of her.
She patted there and licked her lips. “Don’t worry, I’ll take good care of you later.”
I kissed her one more time before we faced them all. I couldn’t wait for tonight, when it was just us again, her laughter in my bed and her scent on my skin. In our own world, where reality could wait until Monday.
FOUNDATION AND FIRE
Archer
Archer Bellamy: Running structural tests on my emotions.
Bank Account: Considering a loan on forever.
Heart: Rebuilding one brick, one breath, one night with Penny at a time.
We hadnothing to fear at Friendsgiving. Not once did my past with Brianne come up. Everyone behaved, and they welcomed Penny with open hearts.
Richard’s turkey—something he was weirdly proud to have raised himself—was perfect, not dry. No surprise given Vivian’s culinary training and expertise in the kitchen.
Keaton’s latest fall brewPumpkin Spice Is Niceflowed like water. The place was loud with kids and laughter. Everett got passed around, snug as a burrito in a blanket wrap.
Sophie swept Penny into kitchen cleanup duty after the meal, and I teased that since I’d once washed dishes at Brier’s, it was only fair she take her turn here.
The guys all went downstairs to start the traditional football watching, but I hung around, biding my time. After all the dishes were done, I brought Penny into the butler’s pantryunder the pretense of helping put the china away. As soon as the slatted door swung shut behind us, I pinned her lightly against the cabinets and pressed my mouth to hers. She giggled, half in protest, half invitation.
“Archer,” she whispered, breath warm against my cheek as I sucked in her perfect earlobe, my tongue playing with her simple jeweled stud. “They’ll hear us.”
