Was that even possible?Penny thought about Brett carrying her pillow and sleeping bag to the van, and her heart picked up speed. “Dre, I don’t need someone, period. I think I need time to figure myself out.”
Andrea sighed and ran a hand through her hair. “Pens, I’ve already figured you out. You’re always going to be that person who takes care of other people.”
“You don’t think I could be happy on my own?”
Andrea made a face. “I’m not saying you couldn’t do it, but happy?”
Penny blew out a breath. “Well that’s good to know. My own sister doesn’t think I’m capable of flying solo.”
Andrea put a hand on her arm. “I wish I was more like you. Honestly.”
Penny scoffed. “No, trust me. You don’t. How’s work?”
Andrea filled her in on the new project management system they were transitioning to in her department, and Penny told her about the email she’d received the night before about signing on with a local lacrosse team. They’d seen a post she’d made on a job board. It was only a few nights a week, but that was another drop in the bucket.
When they arrived at the house, Penny’s stomach fluttered. She pulled her phone from the mount and swiped to her messages. There was one from Brett.
Why would I pretend to be asleep?
Penny replied as Andrea debated whether to leave her bag in the trunk.
Because you’re not ready for this kind of energy at the butt-crack of dawn
Three dots appeared before she could push her door open.
I made eggs
Penny groaned as she got out of the car, and Andrea followed her to the step.
“This complex is great. I love how small it is. In my head I was envisioning one of those massive apartment complexes that . . .” Andrea prattled on, but Penny wasn’t listening. All she could think about was whether Brett would be wearing one of his white T-shirts and if his hair would be wild like it was in the tent or if he’d pull it back into a low bun. Either one was equally devastating.
". . .I bet there isn’t a lot of that, since you only have one neighbor on—" Andrea stopped mid-sentence as she stepped into the apartment and spotted Brett serving up scrambled eggs onto three plates lined up on the counter. “Shit, Pens.That picture did not do him justice.”
It was a grey T-shirt and bun day. Penny exhaled. “Andrea, this is my housemate, Brett.”
ChapterEighteen
Brett waitedas Andrea looked him up and down. He wasn’t completely unused to this type of treatment, but women didn’t normally undress him with their eyes first thing in the morning, while standing in his own kitchen. He could think of worse problems.
“Hungry?” he asked, and Andrea bobbed her head. She slipped off her sandals and walked with Penny to the counter. He tried to avoid openly inspecting Penny for any signs of distress after last night, but when he snuck a glance, her eyes weren’t nearly as puffy and red as he’d expected.
“This was so thoughtful,” Andrea purred, and Brett could’ve sworn he caught an eye roll from Penny. If Andrea was drinking him in, Penny was the complete opposite. She hadn’t looked at him once, only zeroing in on the eggs on her plate.
“Thank you,” she murmured as he handed them both a fork. It was obvious the two of them were sisters. They both had the same olive skin and jet-black hair, though Andrea’s was cut into a wavy bob that hit just below her jawline. Her nose was thinner than Penny’s and her cheekbones a bit more prominent.
Andrea sat down at the stool and took a bite. “So, I feel like I have to apologize for ruining your camping weekend.”
Brett looked over at Penny. “I see it runs in the family.”
Penny gave him a look, and a thrill zipped down his spine.All attention was good attention.“She’s allowed to apologize because it was technically her fault.” Andrea smacked Penny’s arm, and Brett laughed.
“I had something I needed to take care of anyway. It worked out,” he said, and Andrea took another forkful of eggs. “What do you two have on the docket?”
Andrea chewed and swallowed. “I have to be back at the airport around two thirty, so I thought we’d start here, then Penny mentioned the African festival in the park and a favourite lunch place.”
Brett turned to Penny. Her having a favourite restaurant was news to him. “What is it?”
“Jackie’s Thai. Just in Eau Claire Market.”
