Winnie:Don’t! He’s being ridiculous. He’s trying to uphold some stupid promise to Pacey, which Pacey has no right making in the first place. Break him, Penny. BREAK HIM!
Blakely:Agreed. He clearly likes you. You’re just pushing him into the light.
Penny:Okay. P.S. this nightgown is fire, ladies. Oh my God, I’ve never felt sexier. I’m not wearing underwear.
Blakely:*WHIPS BRA OVER HEAD* Yeahhhhhh, girl, get some!
The door to the bedroom opens, and I spit out my toothpaste, rinse my mouth, and turn off the light.
“Oh, I thought you were going to stay up longer,” I say when I spot him.
His gaze falls to me as he pulls on the back of his neck, his veins tense, straining.
“No. I’m just going to try to get some sleep.”
“Great. Well, the bathroom is all yours.”
“Already brushed my teeth.”
In a cheery tone that is probably driving him nuts, I say, “Oh nice.” I move to the bed and flip down the sheets and comforter. “You really did play such a great game tonight. It was fun seeing you out there on the ice.”
“You watched the whole game?”
“Most of it. There were some things I had to take care of, but yeah, I watched most of it.” I slip under the covers, and I can feel the fabric of my nightgown play dangerously close to exposing my breasts, but I honestly don’t care at all.
It’s so crazy to think about how shy I was the night of Eli’s birthday. How I could barely look at him because he’s so handsome, and now I’m at a point in my life where I couldn’t care less if I flash him my boob. I actually welcome it. I welcome all of him.
“Cool,” he says before pushing his shorts down, revealing his black boxer briefs, and then climbing into bed. I switch off the light on the nightstand, and instead of turning toward him like I normally do, I keep my back to him, and I scoot closer.
“Mmm, I can feel your warmth already,” I say as I snuggle my back into his chest.
He makes an incoherent sound before I take his arm and wrap it around me.
“I look forward to this at night,” I say, bordering friendship and what I want. “Some human touch. You know? The days are long and just knowing I have this comfort for when I get home, it’s nice.”
I move in closer and press his hand to my stomach.
Once again, he’s stiff at first, but after a few seconds and some deep breaths, he’s melting right into our hold.
“Is, uh, is this nightgown new?” he asks, his fingers slowly dragging over the fabric. The movement—which is so small—makes me fully aware of how much I need a man right now. Not just any man, but this man.
“It is. I told you I had to get some new bras. Well, the girls and I went to the lingerie store, and I found these. They looked so comfortable, and they are. Do you like it?”
“Uh, yeah, I mean . . . it’s nice on you, and it feels good.”
“So good, and they’re just long enough that I don’t have to wear underwear.”
“You’re”—his voice cracks—“not wearing underwear?”
“No. It’s gotten so uncomfortable recently. I think I’ll be forgoing it altogether. But the new bras I got feel like butter wrapped around me. I wore one with my shirt today. Did you notice?”
“Hard not to notice, Penny.”
I turn just enough so I’m on my back, looking up at him. “You say that as if it’s a bad thing?”
“It’s not.” His hand doesn’t lift from my stomach. If anything, his grip on me grows wider, stronger. “You just . . . well, you looked really freaking good today.”
“Aw, thank you, Eli. I’ve been feeling so good lately. So you liked the dress? Not sure how much longer I’ll be able to wear it.”
