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“Should I fire my massage therapist, personal trainer, and dietician now?”
“Yes!” She taps my chest. “I can save you money just by adding a little fun to your life.”
I believe her. “I’m not firing anyone, but I could add a fun-therapist to my calendar every fourth Sunday.”
“Once a month. How boring.” She flops back onto the pillow with an exasperated expression on her face.
“Have you forgotten you’re here working every weekend? No fun days for you either, cupcake.”
She places a hand on my cheek and leaves it there. Penny’s stares unnerve me as though she’s hoping for more than I can give. “We could plan our own fun during lunch breaks.”
“I’d love to have lunch with you… but…”
“What do you mean?”
“I’m in New York once a month for a week. I have planned trips to London every three months. Plus international trips to Singapore and Australia.”
Penny nods slowly, seeming to absorb what I’m telling her. My cell vibrates on the table beside me. For once, I want to be left alone for a few minutes. I reach over in case it’s Bill, only it’s my mother so I silence it.
A message pops up on the screen.
Mom.
We need to chat about my fundraiser. Please make time for me. Btw your father had lunch with Daphne in Italy.
I close my cell.
Dammit! Daphne is the last person I want to be thinking about right now.
“Is everything okay?”
“My mother wants to chat about one of her charity balls.”
A woman’s voice calls out from down stairs.
Penny’s eyes round, fixed on the closed bedroom door as she springs upright in the bed. “Is she here now?”
I place a hand over her stomach to stop her from propelling off the sheets. “It’s okay. It’s my chef.”
“You have a personal chef, and she is a woman?”
I chuckle at the hint of jealousy she is showing. “Sally is in her sixties and is happily married with adult children.”
“Oh.” Her cheeks blush, and I can’t help but kiss her. It’s light and quick. Penny grabs the back of my neck and holds my lips to hers a moment longer.
“Is there anything you would like her to cook?” I ask against her lips.
She pulls away and stares at the door. “Maybe I should go.”
Placing my arms under Penny, I roll her so she is lying along the length of me. “Or you could stay. If you’re going to be here on weekends, then I should introduce you to Sally.”
She places her hands under her chin and meets my gaze.
I can’t read her. Yet I sense the longing and fear.
“Shouldn’t we keep this as a business relationship?” she asks.
“If that’s what you want? You’re not on the clock now, though, Penny.”
