Surprise steals through me, holding onto my breath for a few seconds.Why would Penn go to see my dad?"Thank you, Bonnie," I choke out, miserably failing at my attempt to sound normal. "I'll see you soon."
I rush out to the kitchen just as Vivi is hanging up with her mom. "What?" she demands, eyebrows drawn when she sees the frenzied look on my face.
"Penn is at my parents' house." The sentence rushes from my mouth, sounding like one long word.
She grabs my forearms, steadying me. Had I been swaying?
"Do you think he's telling your parents the truth about you and Duke?"
I shake my head. "He wouldn't do that."
"Then what else does he have to say to them?Sorry I nearly bashed your daughter's head in fifteen years ago." She rolls her eyes, like it's absurd.
Vivi's words tumble around my brain. Sink in. Spread out.
My heartbeats pick up pace. "Vivi, that might actually not be far off."
"But, Daisy," Vivi gazes at me with concern. "He did that already. After the accident. We were all there. Penn was beside himself. He was sobbing, and apologizing to your parents. Don't you remember?"
"Yes," I whisper. I try not to think of that day, the horror in my best friend's voice.I'm sorry, I didn't mean to. I love her.
"I need to go to my parents' house. Now."
"Well, duh. Of course. I'd drive you there, but I have to get to the restaurant." Vivi winds her purse strap over her shoulder. "I'm catering a wedding this weekend, but I'm not one hundred percent sure it's going to happen. I could tell you the whole situation, but you might not believe me." She winks at me. "If you hear word the wedding is off, tell me, ok? That's a lot of food prep for nothing."
"I promise," I tell her, gathering my purse.
"Are you still staying the night with me tonight?"
We'd decided on the plan weeks ago. I try for a smile, but it feels off. "Wouldn't miss a night with my best babe."
"I'm making almond cake petit fours with strawberry rhubarb jam in a lemon curd buttercream."
I nearly laugh. That's the wedding cake flavor I didn't choose.
"And a bottle of crisp bubbles to go with bedtime stories and songs."
"Everything I dreamed of for the night before my wedding." I really can't think of a better way to spend my time.
"Girls gone mild," Vivi confirms.
I'm right behind her out the door, waving to her as we climb in our cars. She blows me a kiss, saying, "Let me know if I need to crack any skulls."
Chapter 50
Daisy
Penn'sblack truck sits in front of my parents' house, shiny and sleek and stark against the farmhouse with the white clapboard siding. I pull up on his passenger side, shutting off the engine. Climbing out, I glance into the truck. Slim Jim stares back at me.
In an instant, my brain understands what my heart refuses. Penn would only keep his reason for leaving from me if he believed it would hurt me. And what would hurt me? Knowing my beloved parents had something to do with it.
I start for the house, and in the distance, a horse whinnies.
Instead of walking in the front door, I quietly let myself in the side door off the kitchen. The large room smells of dough, and through the oven light I see biscuits rising inside. Butter sits on the counter, softening. Duke's remarks from that day we hid behind Rowdy Mermaid in his SUV bubble to the surface. He'd said I looked likesoftening butterwhen Penn was close to me at the speakeasy. I found it funny at the time, but now it makes more sense.
My corners round. My color changes. I soften.
Penn. Why are you here?
