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I guess he was right, after all.
Closing the door behind me, I follow after Henry, who’s already standing in front of the door, his tail wagging as he paces left and right.
“Do you mind moving?” I ask, reaching for the lock just as the knocking starts again, louder this time.
Shit.
“What?” I bark as Penelope’s friend Jade comes into view.
Henry goes straight for her, and she bends down to pet the mutt. “At least somebody is happy to see me, right, Henry?” she coos.
Seriously, what’s with these girls and their obsession with dogs?
Henry barks excitedly, making Jade laugh. With one final rub between his ears, she stands up. Jade takes me in as she straightens, a sly smile appearing on her mouth.
“I see you’re doing better.”
Doing better? Why would she—
Through the blurriness of last night, I remember hearing Penelope talking on the phone before she took me to the bathroom.
I can’t force him, but I need to do something. His fever isn’t going down.Penelope’s words ring in my head, and my back stiffens. It’s an instinctual reaction. I know Penelope wouldn’t say anything to Jade if she didn’t trust her, but I can’t help but feel wary about the whole situation.
“I’ll live.”
“Good. This is for you.” She shoves something into my chest as she pushes inside the apartment, closing the door behind her. Henry dashes after her.
I look down at my hands, a pair of sweats and a tee clutched to my chest.
What the hell?
“What is this for?” I ask as I join her in the kitchen, where she goes straight for the coffee machine.
“You.” She looks over her shoulder, her gaze falling pointedly at my chest. “Penelope told me what happened last night and asked me to bring you some clothes.” She looks around the room. “Where is she anyway?”
“Asleep.”
“Good.”
Something about the way she says it has my hackles rising, but then, the coffee machine beeps.
Jade turns her back to me, grabs a cup, and goes to the fridge, where she puts some creamer into it and faces me. She leans against the counter as she watches me carefully for what feels like forever before finally asking, “What are your intentions with my best friend?”
I pull back, surprised by the direction in which this is going. “What?”
“Let’s not lie to each other. I know exactly who you are.”
I narrow my eyes at her, trying to read her, but her face is completely expressionless. “Do you, now?” I ask, crossing my arms over my naked chest. I was usually a pretty chill guy, comfortable in my own skin, but I couldn’t deny that I wish right now I had more clothes for the conversation we were about to have.
“I do,” she takes a sip of her coffee before placing it on the counter. The tip of her finger traced the edge of the cup. “Penelope is one of the most amazing, generous, and kind people I’ve ever met in my life. She’s fierce and independent and so damn stubborn, but there is also this fragile part of her that she usually hides from the world. She thinks I don’t see it, but I do. She’s been burned too many times to count, and she doesn’t need that bullshit in her life. I don’t care how big of a superstar you are, but if you’re just playing with Penelope…”
“I’m not—” I try to interrupt her, but she just glares at me and continues as if I didn’t say anything.
“…or trying to use her, or if you hurt her in any way, shape, or form. I’ll hunt your ass to the end of the world and make you pay for it.”
I grit my teeth, irritation growing inside me. Did she really think I didn’t see just how amazing Penelope is? Did she think I’d intentionally go and hurt her? Fuck that.
Jade quirks one brow at me, a smile spreading over her lips as she asks sweetly, “Are we clear?”
