Penn stills.
The music drifts outside, soft piano chords and my words hanging in the air between us. My heart ricochets in my chest, and the loaded way he continues to look at me threatens to pull me under.
I tuck my hair behind my ears, wishing there was more of it to hide behind. “I really appreciate all the time you’re spending with me, and I think we make a pretty great team, actually.” A soft smile starts on his lips, encouraging me to go on. “So, I know you’re being pulled in a lot of directions right now, and I feel guilty asking, but I’d like even more of it.”
“More of what?”
I shrug. “Your time. You.”
The sheer pleasure in Penn’s expression makes him look like the boy I remember. Golden and glowing. Good, right down to his bones.
“You like me,” he says, a smile splashed across his face. “Like, a lot.”
“Oh, stop.”
He puts a hand to his chest. “I mean, you’re right that I don’t have a lot of time on my hands. But if you’re going to be thisobsessedwith me—”
I throw a breadstick at him, and he laughs. When he meets my eyes again, he says, more sincerely, “Thank you. That means a lot. All of it.”
I nod. “You’re welcome. Does that mean I can get more of your time?”
“I don’t know,” he says, taunting me. “You’re right. I don’t have much of it.”
“Well, I’ll do anything,” I say, and it sounds an awful lot like begging. But I really do need more of Penn’s time to get back to therighttime. To Real Me, and Real Penn. “I mean it,” I add. “Whatever it takes to steal you for a little while, I’ll do it.”
Penn leans back, lips parted. Shocked, I think, by my resolve.
Up until a few days ago, I would’ve rather plunged into the nearest sewer than plead with Penn, in any universe, for a damn thing. And he knows it. Even here, he knows that I’m turning myself inside out for him, and he’s loving every delicious second, soaking in the moment with one of his infuriating smirks.
“You’ll do anything, huh?” His teeth graze his lower lip, and there’s no ambiguity about what he’s thinking. “Well, then. Guess I need to brainstorm.”
“Anything but free lap dances,” I clarify. “Those still come at a cost.”
“Ah, ah, ah,” he teases. “You know the rules. No take-backs, Wynne.”
—
When we leavethe restaurant, Lakeville is dark, lit only by the lanterns that line the downtown blocks. There’s a welcome chill in the air.
“First date,” Penn says, sliding me a look. “How’d I do?”
I shrug. “Ehhhhh.”
He pulls me into a headlock hug, and I cackle in surprise. He’s pulled the same move on me for years, but this time, instead of pushing him away, I wrap my arms around his middle and lean closer, letting him plant a kiss on my hairline.
After we unravel ourselves, he holds me close, facing me, his hands clasped behind my back. My fingers tangle in the curls at the nape of his neck, and as our eyes drift across each other’s faces, I must admit to myself that he was right.
I like him. Like, a lot.
“Personally, I had a great time.” Penn presses his forehead to mine. “You’re cute when you’re desperate.”
“Oh, God,” I say and groan. “Here we go.”
The smile lingers in his voice. “First, you rattle off everything you like about me, entirely unprompted—”
“I believe that washeavilyprompted.”
“—and then you beg and plead with those big doe eyes for me to hang out with you?” He clicks his tongue. “This girl’s shameless.”
