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Penelope gives me her sternest look. “You’re not taking anything off until the doctor clears you, mister.”
“But it’s irritat—”
I don’t get to finish because my mom chooses that exact moment to join us. She takes us in, her gaze lingering on my sling for a second longer than necessary before meeting my gaze. “Are you ready?”
“As ready as I’ll ever be.”
Mom nods slowly, pulling out her phone. Her fingers fly over the screen as she types the message. “Everybody’s out there. I also had your car parked close by so you can get away without any trouble once you’re done. Your follow-up appointment is scheduled in two weeks.” She lifts her gaze, slipping her phone into her pocket. “Back at Blairwood.”
A knot forms in my throat as some of the weight that’s been on my shoulders lifts. Penelope’s hand slips around my waist, rubbing my lower back. “Thanks, Mom.”
“Yeah, well, thank me by not getting yourself shot in the future.”
“I’ll try my best,” I let out a soft chuckle, shifting my attention to Penelope. “You don’t have to do this, you know? You can go and wait in the car.”
Before I even finish, Penelope is shaking her head. “I know I don’t have to, but I want to do this. I want to be there for you.”
Mom clears her throat. “I’ll give you a few minutes alone.”
I don’t move my gaze from Penelope while I wait for the door to close behind Mom, giving us a little bit of privacy.
“It’s going to get crazy from here on out,” I warn her, needing her to understand what she’s getting into. “Not just because of what happened, but because this is my life, Penelope. And as much as I love you and want you to be a part of it, the truth is, I can’t protect you if you go out there. I wish I could, but I can’t. There will be stupid articles published, nasty questions, comments, and messages. Everybody will have their two cents to share about me, about you, aboutus.”
“I know that.” She raises her healthy arm, cupping my cheek.
“And you want that?”
“No, I don’t want that, but I wantyou. And if having you means dealing with all the circus outside, then so be it. You mean more to me than anything those people outside could ever throw at me.” She lifts on her toes, pressing her mouth against mine in a gentle kiss. “I love you, Sebastian. Every single part of you. Even the parts you don’t think are lovable.”
Letting out a soft groan, I bend down, my lips crushing against hers. She opens her mouth, her tongue meeting mine as our kiss deepens, my hand slipping to the back of her neck, fingers sinking between her soft curls.
This.
I hadn’t even realized how much I needed to feel her this way to reassure myself that everything was okay. That she was okay.
One hand slides up my chest. Penelope lets out a moan in protest, and I realize she’s trying to move her hand, the one that’s stuck in the sling that matches mine, so instead, she grabs my shirt with her free hand, pulling me closer, her tongue tangling with mine.
There is a soft knock on the door. Reluctantly, we break apart, both of us breathing hard.
Mom peeks inside the room, giving me a knowing look. “It’s time to go.”
“We’re coming.”
“Thirty seconds,” is Mom’s last warning before she leaves once again, but this time she doesn’t bother closing the door.
I press my forehead against Penelope’s, letting out a long breath. My hand is still clinging to her neck, my thumb rubbing against her soft skin. “I know I shouldn’t ask this of you, but I’m a selfish man, and I want you with me.”
“I like when you’re being selfish.”
Chuckling softly, I pull back, looking around the room. “What about Henry?”
Most times, the dog’s so quiet you can barely notice he’s in the room. And now that he’s gotten used to me being around—for the most part anyway—he doesn’t even send glares my way all the time.
“Until this stupid sling comes off, I’m only working with one hand. So I told Brianna to make sure he gets to the car safely.”
I turn abruptly toward her, unsure if I heard her correctly. “But you still don’t have your cane. How are you…”
Penelope slides her hand down, intertwining her fingers with mine. “I have you.”
