Lucia grinned. “That’s when things taste the best, even if they aren’t that great.”
“You’re ridiculous. I’m sure it’s delicious.”
After plating the food, they sat at the dining room table and ate, quietly at first, with Lucia taking in Penelope.
Each small, deliberate bite revealed the quiet precision that seemed to define everything about her. A stark contrast to the chaos Lucia usually inhabited, but somehow, Penelope’s order was strangely appealing.
Penelope took a sip of her tea. “This is really good. I’d not say no if you were willing to part with the recipe.”
“I actually prefer to be the one who cooks it for you,” Lucia said.
“I can live with that.”
After they finished eating, they settled on the couch.
“You wanted to talk to me about something,” Penelope said.
“Yes, but first, tell me if you’ve heard anything back about the audit.”
Penelope sighed. “Nothing much. They’re still looking into various avenues, but after filling out a questionnaire, they’ve not been in touch again. Jules checked a second time, but she still couldn’t find anything.”
“Huh. Maybe all that info is with the auditors. Not like they’ll share anything during the process. And Montgomery?”
“Unchanged. She keeps her distance. I don’t know if it’s because she suspects me of anything or just to keep things impartial.”
“You didn’t do anything—well, not anything anyone could prove.”
“That’snotan uplifting thought.”
“Sorry.” Lucia took Penelope’s hand, stroking the back. “I’m truly sorry I got you involved in all this.”
“You have nothing to apologize for. I’m not a victim. I chose my lot, and it’ll work out somehow.” Penelope picked up her mug.
“I appreciate that, but it’s never that simple, is it?”
“No.”
“I was wondering, did you make up your mind about your dad? Not whether he did it, I meant are you gonna go talk to him?”
“That’s also complicated.” Penelope sighed. “He doesn’t want us to see him like that.”
“Too bad.”
“What?”
Lucia shrugged. “I don’t know. Didn’t he kinda forfeit the right to choose this? Like, fine, if he was fully innocent, maybe I’d respect such a wish, but it seems like he lied to you. I don’t see why you need to listen to his wishes now.”
“Huh. I never thought about it like that. But what if he is innocent and I got it wrong?”
“Did you, though? Or do you want to be wrong and that’s why you’re telling yourself to keep an open mind?”
Penelope went quiet, her expression folding into something tense and unreadable. “I need to think about it some more.”
“Of course.”
“Anyway, enough about me. Tell me about you.”
“Right. I told you that I planned to quit after this run, and I will. I want to see what else is out there, but…”
