Holding her tighter in my arms, I say, “It’s not silly. It will take time to heal from the loss. Just know I love you more than anything. I’m always here for you.”
“I love you too.”
As I lean over to kiss Penny, a loud knocking comes from the front door.
“Who could that be?” Penny asks.
I blow out a frustrated breath. I have a pretty good idea. My family are the only people Samuel lets up to my apartment without warning me first. “We better get dressed. My brothers are here.”
Penny’s eyes widen. “Now? It’s late.”
“They don’t care.” I get up and grab sweatpants and a t-shirt from the closet. Penny quickly gets dressed in jeans and a pale blue shirt.
Hand in hand, we make our way to the living room, knowing the knock on the door was a warning that they’d arrived. Hayden, Alyssa, Finn, Harper, and Elizabeth now have made themselves comfortable in the living room.
“What the hell are you doing here?” I aim the question at my grinning brothers.
“We thought since you left the party, we’d bring the party to you,” Finn explains.
“Plus, we’ve paid for a babysitter for another two hours, so we’re making the most of it,” Harper adds.
“Did you ever think you were intruding?” I already know what their answer will be. They don’t give a fuck.
Hayden shrugs. “Nope. By the way, we’ve ordered pizza.”
I shake my head with mock disgust. Beside me, Penny giggles.
Finn goes to the bar and pours drinks.
“Help yourself,” I grumble.
Finn lifts his glass in a toast. “We will. Now, what can I get for the ladies?”
They give him their orders, and he gets busy making cocktails like he’s in some swanky bar.
Elizabeth pulls Penny aside but not out of earshot. “Sweetheart. Are you okay?”
“I am,” she says with confidence.
That’s my girl. She won’t let anything break her.
“I can’t believe what that witch did to you,” Elizabeth says. “I’m shocked and disgusted. How did I not see who she really is?”
Penny places her hand on Elizabeth’s shoulder. “You’re not the only one. I spent nearly every day with her, and I never saw the snake she really is.”
“Well, good riddance to her.” She holds onto Penny’s hands. “Sweetheart, the photos were beautiful. You looked stunning. Youarestunning.” Tears shimmer in Penny’s eyes. Elizabeth pulls her in for a hug. “I’m so proud of you.”
When they break away, both women are wiping the corners of their eyes. “Thanks, Mom.”
Elizabeth joins the party, and I put my arm over Penny’s shoulder, pulling her close. She places a hand on my chest. My heart beats with so much love for her surely she can feel it against her palm.
Penny is my life.
I never knew what happiness was until she came back into it.
“Are you ready for this, Pixie?”
She tilts her face up to me. “Ready for what?”
