Earl laughs. “I’m giving you a hard time, kid. Just not hungry, is all. But it smells heavenly. Thank you.”
He inhales again, and I remember: It isn’t about the toast. It’s about her.
My chest tightens. I’ve never known a love like that.
“We’ll get out of your hair,” Penn calls to Earl from the kitchen. “I know you’ve got aDaily Heraldwith your name on it.”
Earl stage-whispers to me. “Ruby, you’re welcome anytime, and you don’t have to bring me treats to be my friend. Those terms only apply to this guy.”
“Yeah, yeah,” Penn teases. “See you next week.”
I wait until we’re in the hallway to start my interrogation. “You visit Earl every week? How do you even know him?”
“It’s complicated.”
“Is it, though?”
I’m tired of him being so cagey. Inside the elevator, he studies me, and I can tell he’s thinking far more than he’s saying, which isn’t like him. And I prefer Penn how I know him: not thinking at all.
“Why are you giving me that look?” I ask.
“I’m not giving you a look,” he says, continuing to give me a look.
“You are giving me a very heavy look, Penn.”
“It’s Pennjamin.”
I fight a smile, but the smile wins, and victory shines on his face.
His tongue traces his lip. “Let’s go somewhere,” he says.
“Now? We told Theo we’d be at The Disco Diner, like, an hour ago.”
“It’s not like there’s a crowd.”
“Rude.”
“Consider it your lunch hour.”
I narrow my eyes. “And you’ll explain everything? Including the non–booty call?”
Penn laughs, and when the elevator pings, he backs himself against the door to hold it open for me. As I pass by, his hand finds the small of my back. I feel his touch like a hot spark.
“I’ll explain everything,” he says quietly. “And I promise we’ll get to work in time for your Friday-night rager.”
I lift my chin. “Is that sarcasm?”
His eyes are sparkling. “When is it not?”
We pass through the lobby and I offer my pal Walter a salute. Outside, we’re met by warm sunshine and a cool breeze. The perfect fall day. Ideal for playing hooky.
Which I’m doing only because I need answers.
“Alright,” I say, arms crossed. “Where to?”
Penn twirls his car keys. “How about our spot?”
I pull in a breath.
