The soft glow of the afternoon sun filtered through the sheer curtains, casting a golden hue over the room. Hawke watched as Gram carefully opened a leather-bound album, its spine creaking with the weight of memories held within, a gentle expression on his face.
“Look at this one,” Gram said. “This was a very special day.” She turned her smile toward him. “This was taken on her twelfth birthday. She wanted a detective-themed party, can you believe it? Even then, she knew what she wanted to be.”
“Born for the job,” Hawke said, his lips curving into a smile.
“Ah, here’s one of my favorites,” Gram announced, pausing on a photo that captured a teenage Penny, mid-guffaw, her hair a wild cascade around her shoulders.
“Gram, why do you keep that?” Penny asked. “Can’t you keep the good photos only?”
“It is good,” Gram countered.
“It’s beautiful,” Hawke interjected. “You’re beautiful.”
Penny shot him a look. “Flatterer.”
He grinned. “Always.”
Gram chuckled, glancing between them, and then continued sharing stories of Penny’s past.
Penny kept waiting for the concern to surface as she let her final guard down with Hawke and welcomed him into her world, but it simply never came. She wanted him to truly understand her, all of her—the good and the bad. And she wanted him to get to know Gram, too.
“Thank you for sharing the photos and the stories with me,” he said genuinely, meeting Gram’s gaze. “I’m certain I could listen to you talk all day.”
“Don’t be silly, I’d bore you to death,” Gram said with a laugh. “Though, I am curious”—she glanced between them—“is this a serious relationship… or are you just friends?”
Hawke studied Penny. Then he said to Gram,
“I can’t say for certain, ma’am. That decision rests with your granddaughter.”
Penny felt every wall shattered under the warmth and strength of his gaze… and the future filled with love staring back at her. She kept thinking she’d have to make this big choice about allowing herself to fall in love, but the reality was that it happened effortlessly with Hawke. She fell for him before she even realized it. She smiled. “We’re serious.”
15
Later that night, Hawke pushed open the heavy wooden door, its hinges creaking as he and Penny stepped into the dim interior of the cigar lounge. He held her hand tight, a move that seemed so normal he wondered how he’d ever lived without it. She was giving him a chance, and he was damn glad of it. The air was thick with the earthy aroma of tobacco and leather, the low murmur of conversation humming in the background.
As the door shut behind them, Penny leaned in close to Hawke, her voice dropping to a playful whisper. “I have a little surprise for you tonight.”
Hawke raised an eyebrow, intrigued. “Oh? And what might that be?”
Penny just smiled mysteriously. “You’ll see.”
She nodded subtly to Archer, who had just entered the cigar lounge from the door that led to hallway and Rhys’s office. Archer gave her a knowing look and nod, hefting two black bags over his shoulder.
Hawke’s pulse quickened as he took in the bags.
“I’ll see you in Phoenix,” Penny said, eyes dancing, as she gave his hand a final squeeze before letting go. She approached Archer, taking a bag from him, and headed toward the door.
With his smile still in place, Archer approached and handed him a bag, telling Hawke all he needed to know. He wouldn’t need a bag if he were watching a show tonight, only if he were participating.
“Penny’s sure about this?” he asked Archer, trying to get his bearings.
Archer nodded. “She’s the one that planned it. Her only stipulation was that no one she knows can be there.”
“I see,” Hawke murmured, heat spiraling down his spine at the idea of doing a show with Penny. He didn’t need the excitement, but the thought of having eyes on him with her, hardened him to steel. He unzipped the bag and chuckled, as he found the same black gear they wore to Romano’s. “My mission for tonight?” he asked, glancing at Archer.
His friend smiled. “We’ve got a spy in our ranks. She has a password that a client needs. Get it.”
Hawke accepted the plan for the show with a nod, then headed for the same door Penny vanished through.
