“What?”
“Me, in my purple lace nightie.”
“Oh, is that your sleepwear of choice?” He laughs like it’s a joke, but when I turn, the loaded look in his eyes tells me he’s having just as much fun as I am imagining it.
I arch an eyebrow, letting Penn’s imagination do the work. “There we are, bickering over a trip to Costco. Fighting over cans of SpaghettiOs while you eat grapes in the aisle like some kind of criminal.”
“Why would we ever argue about a trip to Costco?”
“Because it’s hell.”
“Excuse me?”
“Don’t get me started,” I warn him. “It won’t end well.”
Penn laughs. Softly, he says, “You’ve thought about this before. Me and you.”
I nudge my arm against his. Sliding him a look, I tease, “Haven’t you?”
“Of course,” he says without hesitation, and my heart stammers.
We both look at our hands lying inches apart, and when his fingers drift toward mine, our knuckles barely grazing, I can’t move, feeling like somewhere between ten and one hundred thousand bees are buzzing around my body. I’m worried they’ll sting if I say the wrong thing or shift too quickly.
Penn registers my shock and smirks, his tongue pressed to his teeth as he moves his arm to his thigh, gripping the spot above his knee. “I’ll take that obvious dodge as my confirmation.”
“Confirmation of what?” I ask, breathy and obvious.
He looks at me. “You. Pining. All along.”
Wynne Diesel
Dad:planning out our trips for next year where should we go
Ryan:Does this mean you’re finally taking us with you?
Dad:no
Ryan:Yep, figured. Just checking.
Mom:I voted for Paris, but your father wants someplace new.
Ruby:Go to Alaska!
Ryan:Ruby, was your phone hacked?
Dad:ooh that’s a thought
Ruby:I have a feeling you guys would love it.
Ryan:Yeah, right. Dad hates the snow.
Ruby:But he’d love an excuse to wear a fur hat.
Ryan:Touché.
26
Isn’t It Obvious?
