I look up at her, waiting.
“Being treated badly isn’t proof you ruin things.” She pauses, her eyes filled with warmth and concern. “And you’re just as kind and courageous. You don’t knock things off balance, Penny. You hold them up.”
Remi nods. “Sounds like everyone was an asshole and you were the only one who wasn’t.”
“Thank you,” I say quietly. “But what if I become another thing that hurts them? He’s already had that happen once.”
She studies me. “Evan’s not your father. He doesn’t need you to save what he’s built. And he’s definitely not whoever that douche canoe at your office was.”
I swallow.
“And for what it’s worth,” she adds, “Stacey didn’t just hurt them—she detonated their entire life.”
Remi glances toward the bar, making sure no one’s hovering too close.
“She walked out on both of them when she chose her addiction. It wasn’t a slow fade. She blew his life up completely. She’d already been using on and off without him knowing, and seeing other guys… She completely broke him.”
Frankie nods once. “And left him holding everything together.”
“And he did,” Remi says. “He stepped up, has never once bad-mouthed her in front of Elle or made it ugly. He tried to help her so many times, and yes, he doesn’t let people close to him easily now. So if the boys are saying he’s hovering and being weird about you? It’s not because he thinks you’re temporary or bad luck, babe.”
Before I can respond, a familiar voice cuts in behind me.
“Well, this is a nice surprise.”
I close my eyes briefly. Tucker.
I turn, leaning one hip against the table. “Hello, Officer.”
“It’s Detective.” His grin is easy as his eyes peruse me openly, and Frankie practically vibrates.
“You look—”
“Like I’m about to win this game?” I cut in.
“That too.” He laughs. “Didn’t know Neverland had a dress code now.”
“It doesn’t,” I say. “I’m just raising the standard.”
Frankie chokes on a laugh behind me, and he steps a fraction closer, enough that I catch the hint of aftershave under the bar smell. It’s different to Evan’s.
“You heading out later?” he asks. “Or is this the main event?”
“This is it,” I reply with a sigh.
“Your firefighter finally let you out unsupervised, huh?”
My head tilts, and I meet his gaze calmly. “If you’re fishing, you’re gonna be disappointed.”
“Shame,” he says lightly. “I was hoping to steal you for a drink somewhere quieter.”
“Not tonight.”
He studies me for a second, recalibrating. “Another night, then?”
“Thank you, but…” I shake my head. “I don’t think so.”
Something shifts in his expression, and then he lifts his hands in surrender. “Worth a shot.”
