“I’m not starting anything. Just… I know a guy. He does renovation work for some of the guys on the team. He’s good, and he won’t take advantage.”
She looks at me with the expression she gets when she’s deciding whether to accept help. I’ve learned to wait it out. Penelope takes help on her own terms and on her own timeline and pushing only elongates the process.
Finally, she settles on, “Maybe.”
I’d love to help her around the house myself, but at some point, we have to stop being in each other’s orbit if we’re going to move on.
Hazel has descended from the platform and ventures over to the swings.
“She’s going to be fine,” I say. “She’ll survive without a dad. I did.”
Penelope looks at me. Something in her expression shifts. “I know… it’s the guilt though. What kind of man wouldn’t want her?”
Anger fills my chest. “Not one worth knowing. He’s an asshole who doesn’t deserve to be in her life. He’s the one missing out.”
Tears fill her eyes. “Thanks.”
“It’s the truth. She’s got a grandfather who adores and loves her—sure, he might use her as a buffer from the press sometimes, but that’s okay.”
She laughs.
“She’s got Monroe, a best friend who would go to war for her.” I pause. “And she’s got a mom who would put herself in the most uncomfortable situation she can imagine just to make sure she can hula hoop in the talent show.”
She wipes her eyes and turns to me, knowing it’s the truth.
I take her hand. “She’s not missing anything.”
Penelope looks at my hand over hers on the blanket between us. Then she meets my gaze, and neither of us says anything because there isn’t anything to say beyond what I know we’re both feeling right now.
“Thank you.” She looks at the playground, and I follow suit.
Hazel spots us and waves both arms. We wave back at the same time, and she turns around looking satisfied, as if she just needed to confirm we were still here.
I keep hold of Penelope’s hand.
She doesn’t pull away.
I’ve been in love with this woman since I was eleven years old, and I’m sitting on a blanket holding her hand while her daughter waves at us from a slide. I keep saying I can manage this. It might be time I stop lying to myself.
Chapter
Twenty-Nine
Penelope
* * *
Hazel spots Monroe before we reach our seats in Webber Stadium. Monroe climbs out of her chair, holding up her latest stuffed animal to show her friend. Hazel holds up her matching Boston Terrier.
I usher Hazel down to our seats. Usually, she and Monroe sit together the entire time. Since we got here late, we probably missed Decker and Easton coming to the fence line to talk to all the kids, which I had to hear about from my daughter the entire ride.
I finally sit down next to Leighton and Callie. Lake is talking with Callie’s parents.
“Can I raid your closet once I lose these last ten pounds of baby weight?” Callie asks, dipping her chip into the nacho sauce.
“I agree, where do you shop? I need to go there.” Leighton gives me the once-over and smiles.
“That cute little skirt…” Callie glares at me. “I’m never going to get there again.”
