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“Penny,” I growl. She strides past me, and I go to stop her when a hand lands on my shoulder.
“Franklin.” Jobe is on my other side. “Mom is waiting for you to do your part.”
I turn and watch Penny disappear into the ballroom.
I take the stage alongside Jobe and persuade the crowd to up their bids for the auction. When I find Penny in the crowd, she is clapping and smiling at me in approval.
Who is giving who whiplash?
After the formalities, I round the table, stop at Penny, lean down, and whisper, “Royce will be waiting for you outside. If you don’t want to be seen with me, I’ll exit ten minutes after you leave.”
When I straighten, everyone at the table is watching us.
“What a great idea,” Penny exclaims. “I’ll speak to your mom about a remodeling donation for the future.”
I take my seat.
“You’re a dick,” Charlotte says under her breath.
I ignore her.
After dessert is finished, my mother and father, Jobe, and I address the room.
My father has the final word, expressing our gratitude to everyone for the kindness in supporting his wife in a fundraiser she is passionate about, as is he. He talks about neurological diseases and how more research is required so people don’t have to suffer in silence.
When he finishes, the crowd claps enthusiastically. As do I. My mother’s fundraising galas all began after my friend, Damien suffered a brain injury in our college years.
There is purpose behind the glamour.
Penny slips out the main doors.
No one else notices.
I do.
As soon as I’m back in my seat, I take my cell in my lap and text Royce.
Is Penny with you?
He texts back immediately.
No, sir. She refused to get into the car and instead got into a car with another female.
Whatever noise erupts from my throat gets my father’s attention.
“Is everything all right, son?”
“No.”
* * *
The following morning,I’m the first to breakfast.
I couldn’t be more frustrated than I was last night when Penny refused to take my calls, and with the added stress of the court case, I barely slept.
The folding doors to the pool are open, and Lola is setting the outside table.
I step outside. “Morning, Lola. Are we dining here?”
