Chapter 4
Dinner had been farfrom spectacular.
Penny and Mike refused to say more than the basic necessities to one another.
Pass the rice. Where’s the wontons?
Everyone felt the tension until Penny finally excused herself, citing fatigue from the flight as the culprit.
It wasn’t true of course. She just needed space.
She had come to New York with expectations of a dream weekend away from normal life, but so far it was a nightmare.
She loved Kate and Ian and adored their relationship, but being in their home and seeing their family and how easily Mike seemed to fit into the picture, made her realize just how alone her own existence was.
She didn’t have anyone to greet her when she got home. Not even a cat. There was no child to cuddle or friend who was part of the family. She was alone. Her entire world was her work, but it didn’t keep her warm at night.
When she wokethe next day a delicious aroma welcomed her. She would have wandered out in search of the morsels that were waiting, but the fact that she’d slept in her clothes from the day before was a problem.
She made quick work of a shower, slipping into a pair of red leggings and a cream cashmere sweater before making her way to the kitchen.
“Good morning,” she greeted, feeling a bit better after her rest.
“You mean good afternoon,” Kate replied as she bounced Toby on her hip. The toddler’s face was smeared with some kind of green goo. There were flecks of it in Kate’s hair. “It’s after one,” she added.
“You’re kidding? I slept that long? I never sleep that long.”
“You never sleep, that’s why you needed the rest.” Kate wrinkled her nose in Penny’s direction. “Lunch is over there,” she pointed with her head as she tried to give Toby another spoonful of peas. “I ordered Italian. Thought you’d like it.”
Penny chuckled as she poked at the containers of food. “Do you ever think you’ll learn to cook?”
“Never. Ian cooks, the maid cleans and I make the place look spectacular. Match made in heaven,” she mused.
Penny returned to the comfort of the armchair she’d occupied the night before, folding her leg beneath her. “Where’s Ian this morning?” It was Saturday so hardly at work.
“He and Mike went to get the tree. They should be back soon.”
Penny huffed. “Is Mike coming over again?” she asked between forkfuls.
“More than likely. He lives one floor down. Why?”
“Nothing,” she pouted. A moment later Kate’s chuckle got her attention. “What?”
“I was just thinking about you and Mike.” She gave Toby another spoon of baby food.
“What about Mike and me?” Penny asked, sitting up.
“Just that you two are so much alike –”
“I am nothing like that guy. He’s pigheaded and opinionated. Can you imagine him suggesting thatIwas acting childish at the wedding? He was the one being an opportunist. Trying to hit on me like that after…”
Kate looked over. “After Tim?” she finished, her voice gentle. “Pen, he couldn’t have known that.”
Penny remained silent, her food momentarily forgotten.
“We didn’t tell anyone about Tim. I know you like your privacy, and I didn’t want people…I didn’t want you to be uncomfortable, so Ian and I agreed to keep that to ourselves. No one knew.”
Still, she remained silent.
“I’ve known Mike a long time and he’s isn’t that kind of guy. He’d never take advantage of someone who was vulnerable, especially if he knew. If he wanted to get you a drink or asked for a dance, it’s because he wanted to.”
She wiped Toby’s mouth. He’d had enough for the day. “I’m going to get him cleaned up. I’ll be right back.”
Penny watched as Kate and Toby went into the other room, leaving her alone with her thoughts.
She’d never considered that Mike’s actions may have been anything but unscrupulous. The fact left her unsettled. She was still contemplating it when Ian, and the man himself, arrived with tree in hand – arm.
