AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Perhaps you should come and work with me for a while in Italy. The Italian designers influence many great decorators. I think you’ll love it, even for just a few months of experience.”
Out the side of my eye, I see Penny glance at me with wide eyes and then back to Daphne. I don’t shift my gaze from Daphne. What is she up to?
“I, um… I’ll think about it. Thank you. I have several projects I’m committed to at work.”
Daphne’s gaze flicks to me, then back at Penny. “Did he nit-pick your ideas?” She rolls her eyes like they’re co-conspirators.
“He hasn’t seen it yet.” The nervousness in her voice has everyone smiling.
“Oh.” Echoes around the table.
I lean forward so Penny has to look at me. “As long as you did what you promised, I’m sure I’ll love it.”
Her green eyes widen.Good.
“Excuse me.” I head to the restrooms, unbuttoning the button under my bow tie. Now that Penny is no longer a secret, I can no longer protect her from the opinionated bullshit, mindless questions, backstabbing and fucking games.
Daphne.
I punch the door, and it swings open.
“Woah,” a guy says on the other side.
“I’ll get maintenance to check it out.” I stride past him.
When I return to the foyer, my father is conversing with two other men, all holding a glass of bourbon.
“Franklin.” He signals for me to join them.
“What is happening with the retirement funds?” he says it low so no one overhears.
“I have it under control.” Penny walks past with Charlotte toward the restrooms. “Excuse me, gentlemen.”
I catch up and match their stride. “Penny, may I speak to you for a moment?”
“Not now,” Charlotte says. “We won’t be long.”
Leaning against the wall, I wait for both girls.
Jesus, what do they do in there?
They finally exit, and I can’t take my eyes off Penny—her long black dress and her hair swept off her shoulders, revealing her long neck. My dick twitches, knowing I’ll claim that neck tonight. She smiles and laughs with my sister. With a closed fist, I rub the material over my chest.
She gets on well with my family.
I push off the wall and stop when Byron and Brandon join them in a circle. They laugh, enjoying Brandon’s joke.
The man has a death wish.
I join the circle.
Byron slaps my shoulder. “How long are you back?”
“Just the weekend.” I sneak a glance at Penny.
Penny smiles at me, and the tension in my neck eases a little. She’s not mad.
“Are you excited about your home?” Her eyes sparkle with excitement.
