“The clit stimulator?”
“Yeah. That should give me everything I need.” I stand from my chair and straighten out my high-waisted black pants.
Blakely chuckles.
“What?” I ask her.
“It’s just a vast difference from what you wore yesterday. Pants and a turtleneck. You went from sex kitten to HR’s best friend in seconds.”
“I’m showing arms. It’s a tank turtleneck.”
“I love you, Penny, but I’m going to tell you right now, no one wants to see your arms when you have a rack like that.” She points at my chest with her pen, causing me to laugh. I shouldn’t feel I can’t flaunt the girls just because of Eli. I can wear things that make me feel sexy simply because I want to feel good about myself. But if what Eli said is true, it’s more difficult for him when I show extra skin. And honestly, he’s a good man, even better than I first thought, so I don’t want to do anything that makes him struggle against his attraction to me. Hence the turtleneck.
“Well, these boobs are currently off the market. That means keeping them hidden from the world.”
“Such a shame. I liked staring at your cleavage.”
“There’s something seriously wrong with you,” I say before taking off and heading back to my office.
* * *
Eli:Was going to make tortellini for dinner. Are you going to be home for dinner?
Penny:Yes, but you don’t have to worry about me.
Eli:If I’m already making dinner, you can have some.
Penny:Okay, sure. Thanks.
Eli:Are things weird between us again?
Penny:I want to say no, but I think they are.
Eli:How can we make it better?
Penny:Uh . . . I ate an apple?
Eli:LOL, that’s a start.
Penny:Unfortunately, I just think this is how it’s going to be, Eli. And we have to accept that.
Eli:We can be friends.
Penny:I don’t think we can be the kind of friends you’re hoping for. And that’s okay. As long as we’re friendly, that’s all that matters. And you need to stop focusing on me and concentrate on your game for tomorrow. You guys have to win.
Eli:But things don’t feel right between us.
Penny:Not sure they ever will.
* * *
“Can I ask you something?”Eli says as we’re lying in bed, his arm protectively around me of course.
“Sure,” I say as I clutch his pillow.
Dinner was a disaster, we didn’t know what to say to each other, so instead of talking, we just sat there and ate. I tried to do the dishes after but he wouldn’t let me. So then I ended up just scrolling through TikTok and replying to comments from trolling fans with just enough sass not to get me fired but to make everyone laugh.
“Have you ever thought about being a parent? Before all of this? Were children in your future?”
