“I’m a thirty-five-year-old woman who built an entire career making smart decisions,” she says bitterly. “I spend my days evaluating risk, looking for red flags, figuring out when someone’s trying to sell me a bad deal.” She lets out a humorless laugh. “But the second my supposed best friend threatened my family, I folded.”
Her jaw tightens as she wipes at her tears.
“Who does that? she whispers. “And why the hell did I fall for it?
“That’s it, sugar.” I squeeze her hand gently. “Let all that anger out.”
She keeps crying, her fingers gripping mine tightly.
Honestly, I’m surprised by how calm I feel.
When Ruin told me Penny was getting married, I wanted to tear the damn world apart. I wanted to scream at her for spending all that time with me while planning a future with someone else.
But when I walked into that country club and saw that slimy douchebag losing his shit because Penny called off the wedding, I knew something was wrong.
All I cared about after that was getting her out of there.
After a long breath, Penny releases my hand long enough to take a few sips of her soda.
“I’m sorry,” she murmurs. “I really needed that cry.”
“You never have to apologize for crying in front of me.”
She gives me a small smile.
After taking a small bite of her sandwich, she looks down at it in surprise. “Who would have thought gas station food could be so tasty.”
I grin. “Hate to break it to you, boss.” I lean across the table like I’m about to reveal classified information. “Fancy restaurants aren’t the only places with good food.”
“Smartass.” She rolls her eyes.
I laugh softly.
Then her expression turns serious.
“As I said…” She exhales slowly. “I really don’t want to keep talking about this nightmare, but I do need to apologize.”
The way she looks at me through her lashes makes every nerve ending in my body wake up.
“We agreed this was casual,” she says. “No attachments. No expectations. But I still need you to know nothing happened between Easton and me.” Her fingers find mine again. “When you and I were together, I only wanted you.”
I straighten up and hold her hand tighter.
“Who am I kidding?” She gives me a sad little smile. “I still only want you, Miles.”
That’s it.
I’m done pretending this thing between us is casual.
“I only have eyes for you, Penny Levine.” The truth comes out rough. “My life’s been fucking hell since you left.” I shake my head slightly. “I don’t even know when this changed. AllI know is you somehow buried yourself so deep in my heart, I can’t imagine my life without you anymore.”
I stand and walk around the table toward her, and she watches me the entire time.
I help her to her feet, then cup her face gently between my hands.
“I don’t want to keep talking about Easton today,” I tell her softly. “Or the reasons why you didn’t tell me what was going on.”
Her lips part slightly.
