I frown. “Yes, why?”
“Do they know you’re Lucas Alessi from Alessi Fashion House?”
I shrug. “Not sure. It’s never come up in conversation with anyone. Why are you asking?”
“If anyone recognizes you as ‘Lucas Alessi’, someone might realize I’m here with you.” She gnaws at her fingernail with worry.
I chuckle. She has no clue about this give-no-fucks town. “No one will care.”
“Really?”
“Yes, really,” I reply.
“That sounds like heaven.”
She smiles, the gesture lighting up her face and drawing my attention to her full lips. Kissable lips. I quickly glance away. Why am I looking at her mouth? And why the fuck am I tempted to kiss it? Nothing good comes out of that mouth.
Oblivious to where my mind has wandered to, she says, “If there’s a town, do you think they have accommodation?”
“Ready to leave so soon?” It’s a great idea. Two minutes alone in the cabin and I’m wondering what her mouth tastes like.
“It feels a little crowded in here,” she says.
Is she too polite to tell me the cabin is a run-down piece of shit? It’s mine and I love it. I’ve had many great memories here. Mostly with my best friend Garrett. He never complained about where he had to sleep. If Penelope wants to find accommodation elsewhere, it’s probably for the best.
“Last I heard, they were renting rooms at the bar. If one’s available, I’m sure Allie, the owner, will rent it to you.”
“That would be amazing,” Penelope says with exhilaration.
I cock an eyebrow. “Sick of me already?”
“Oh…no…I didn’t mean…”
“Yeah…well, I like the idea of you not being here too.” The sooner she’s out of my life, the better.
She huffs. “I know you don’t like me, but you can at least pretend you don’t hate me so much. I’m no fan of yours either, yet I’m not nasty.”
“Why would I do that? I don’t hide my feelings.”
“So I’ve noticed,” she says dryly.
“I didn’t promise you a trip to Disneyland.”
She grabs the handle of her luggage and rolls it toward the door. “Nor did you mention you were taking me to hell.”
Chapter Five
PENNY
Maybehellwas too strong of a word. But when I took in the cabin, it surely wasn’t the mansion I’d imagine. Not even a quaint cottage with gingham curtains, plush rugs, and comfortable furniture. More like a dilapidated shack that might fall down with the breeze. And the recliner he said I could use to sleep on looked like it had been picked up off the side of the road after a semi-trailer had run over it.
There I go again sounding like an ungrateful bitch. He could have dropped me at a hotel where I’d be hounded again by the media. Yet he offered me a safe haven. A place where no one will find me.
When did I become such a snob? After my dad left when I was fifteen—never to be seen again—my mother was drowning in debt, and we had to move into a dump of a house. If it weren’t for my Uncle Gerry, my mother’s brother, moving us to New York two years later and taking us in after things got so bad wegot evicted, who knows where I’d be today. Not only did he give us some place to live, but he also sent me to an upscale high school—where I met Lucas—and set me up for college. I’ll always be grateful to him. My teenage years left no room for snobbery, so what happened between then and now? Nothing that I was aware of, but yet… Has becoming a success and having money turned me into one?
On the drive into town, I place my elbow on the door and stare at my surroundings. Because I’d fallen asleep on the way to the cabin, I missed out on seeing the beautiful scenery. The sun is dappling through the thick leaves of the tall oak trees lining the road, guiding us like a tunnel. The greenery covering the ground looks like a lush carpet. The area gives the feel of being secluded and hidden away from the rest of the world. Exactly what I need. Not a sunny seaside vacation, but just as beautiful. Claudia would love it here.
Oh darn. Claudia! I told her I’d let her know where I was staying as soon as I could. It’s been hours since I sent her a message. She must be worried. I pull my cell phone from my purse. There’s no signal. I hold the phone up toward the windshield. Still nothing.
