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No, she most definitely didn’t have a problem with standing up to me—not that first time, or any time since. She might seem like she’s fragile because she’s so kind and sweet, but I knew better. Penelope was stronger than she looked. Fierce and protective. If anybody could deal with the craziness that’s my life and still keep that essential part of herself safe and intact, it would be her.
The electricity sizzles between us. We’re so close our lips are practically touching. Her warm breath tickled the tip of my finger.
Penelope must feel it too, because her eyes darken, the tip of her tongue sliding out.
“You should come with me,” I say quickly before I can change my mind about it.
Penelope pulls her brows together. “What?”
“To LA.”
My heart starts racing faster as the idea takes shape in my mind. I hated the thought of leaving her behind to deal with the fallout of this mess. I couldn’t rely on the fact that the paparazzi would leave Blairwood along with me.
And if I was being honest with myself, I wanted her with me. Penelope had this aura around her. She grounded me in a way that nothing and nobody else could.
“You should come with me to LA.”
Yes, I had to go, but nobody said anything about not bringing her with me. It would be the perfect solution. I could show her my world, my house, my piano, and make sure that she was safe at the same time.
“I can’t. I have school and…”
“It would be just a few days, Birdy.”
I hold my breath as I watch her process the words. She shakes her head. “I’m not sure that’s a good idea.”
“Why not?”
“Because you’re… well, you, and I’m me.”
“That doesn’t make any sense.”
“It does!” Penelope shakes her head. “You’re a freaking rockstar, Sebastian. I’m just a small-town girl. Ablindsmall-town girl.”
My brows pull together. “Is that what worries you? Henry can come with us. It’s not…”
“It’s not Henry,” Penelope interrupts me, and I don’t miss the finality in her voice, but I’m not ready to give up. Not just yet.
“Can you at least think about it?”
A beat of silence stretches in the room, and I can feel my stomach twist with nerves as I wait for her answer.
She’ll say no.I could feel it. Hell, I couldn’t even blame her. Freaking reporters came to our campus so they could snap photos of us. Things would only get worse from here, more intense. It was even stupid to think about it. If I were her, I sure as hell wouldn’t willingly sign up for this circus. It wasn’t worth it, not on—
“Okay.” Penelope nods hesitantly. “I’ll think about it.”
I let out a shaky breath, squeezing my eyes shut as I press my forehead against hers. “Thank you.”
We stay like that for a little while longer before Henry places his head on my knee. Penelope must feel it too, because she puts her hand on his head, scratching him between his ears.
“I think we should go home. I need to feed Henry.”
“Want me to go and grab his food?”
“No, it’s fine.” Penelope shifts, and I reluctantly let go so she can get to her feet. “I think you two have a lot to catch up on. I don’t want to be in the way.”
I push to my feet, watching her grab Henry’s harness. “You’re not in the way,” I protest. Hell, a part of me wanted to go with her back to her place. Anything to ignore this upcoming conversation with Seraphina.
“I have some studying to do anyway.”
