“Good. I’m assuming they want to keep theMadonnafor the entire loan term?”
“Yeah, and according to Penelope, Varnelli seems to be letting it go.”
Francesca scoffed. “Unlikely. She’s probably just contemplating her options.”
Lucia’s phone vibrated in her pocket. A spark of hope fluttered—ridiculous, really—but she still had to fight the instinct to check. She glanced at her watch. Too early for Penelope to take a break, but later on she’d—
“Lucy? Are you listening?”
Lucia’s head snapped up. “Huh?”
“Try to keep up. Distraction gets people caught.”
“Right. Sorry.” Lucia shifted her focus back to the discussion at hand. Her mind still contemplated Penelope—or the notion that she wouldn’t mind getting caught by her.
She flushed and ducked her head.
Focus, damn it.She’d survived tighter spots. Just not ones involving a woman who made her forget how to breathe.
~ ~ ~
While Lucia and Penelope had been texting a lot, neither had brought up meeting again. Lucia told herself it was fine—that they were both busy, that patience was one of her better qualities—but each unanswered message itched like drying paint.
A week after their moment on the balcony, her lack of patience led her to a nearby deli where she picked up a caprese sandwich and a lemon tart before heading for the Meridian right around lunchtime. In one of her recent texts, Penelope had mentioned craving something light but fresh, and Lucia hoped she’d like the contents of her paper bag.
Her stomach fluttered as she drove. What if this was a bad idea? Maybe Penelope thought she was overstepping. Still, she’d rather face a raised eyebrow than silence.
After signing in at the front desk and ignoring the guard’s brief appraisal while calling Penelope to confirm her visit, Lucia leaned against the wall in the staff reception area, clutching her bag until Penelope finally appeared.
“Lucia, hi. What brought you here?”
“Hey. I was in the area, and I recalled your tendency to skip meals, so…” She held up the bag.
“You brought me lunch?” Her gaze flicked between the bag and Lucia like she wasn’t sure which she wanted more. Or maybe that was just Lucia’s wishful interpretation, but Penelope’s voice was even and something warm flickered behind her eyes.
“Yup. You’re up for it?”
“Sure. Come along.”
Lucia followed Penelope to her office, closing the door behind her.
“Thank you. That truly wasn’t necessary.”
“Hmm, perhaps, but I wanted to see you, too, and I thought, why not use my desire for something good?”
Penelope flushed, fidgeting with a pen. “An interesting word choice.”
“Good?” Lucia rolled her lips to keep from smiling when Penelope narrowed her eyes.
“What do you have?”
“Oh.” Lucia placed the bag on Penelope’s desk and opened it, pulling out a sandwich and dessert. “After our talk about cravings the other night”—Lucia shrugged—“I thought this fits the bill.” She handed Penelope the food.
Penelope opened the wrapper. “I love caprese sandwiches, thank you.”
“You hadn’t eaten yet, right?” Lucia glanced at her watch. “You could always eat it for dinner if you have a fridge somewhere.” She tilted her head. “You guys have a community kitchen or something?”
“Sit down before all these thoughts hurt you.” Penelope settled into her chair.
