“So the groomsmen were NHL players, too. Naturally, they got completely wasted and ended up in Penny’s hotel room! They drank the minibar dry and trashed the place. Then they fell asleep…inPenny’sbed. Three of them! She couldn’t get them to wake up and leave.”
I glance at Penny. Her jaw looks like it might crack from how hard she’s clenching, and she throws her head back, guzzling her red wine.
“So,” Fia continues, scooping more food onto her plate, “Penny went through their pockets while they were passed out, stole their room key, and slept intheirpenthouse instead. When they knocked on the door in the morning, Penny pretended she didn’t know what the problem was.” Fia giggles, and I glance at Penny, who’s swirling her wine glass, mouth in a hard line. “The bride was so mortified that she paid double for the photography. And one of the players is still obsessed with Penny. He keeps calling, and I told her she should just go on a date. I mean, the guy’s gothellamoney.”
Penny turns, pinching Fia hard.
“Ouch! What the hell!” Fia yells, and Penny buries her face in her palm.
I push down the sharp, hot pang in my ribs. Jealousy isn’t something I need to feel right now.
Penny can do whatever the hell she wants, with pro athletes or anyone else. They’d be idiots not to want her. Hell, it’s probably a bonus if they’re into pain, since she seems hellbent on making every interaction as uncomfortable as possible.
“So, you work for the shelter?” Penny shouts across the table, her voice echoing off the wallpapered dining room, startling everyone.
I cock an eyebrow at her.
I don’t know if I’ve ever witnessed someone in such distress at a dining table. She’s like a damn feral animal that needs to be put out of their misery.
Fia, jaw still tight, rolls her eyes and stabs her fork aggressively into the lasagna.
I’ll need a miracle to survive these two women.
“Penny, what iswrongwith you?” Fia snaps, exasperated.
“I’m enjoying dinner,” Penny says sweetly, finishing off her wine. My eyes linger on her plush lips. “And I’d like to know what Jesse does. Like you said earlier, Fi, I have alotto learn about him.” Her voice is dripping in sarcasm, but I don’t take the bait.
“You were talking about me?” I smirk as I lick my lips, a cocky habit I know she hates.
Penny grins sarcastically. “Yep. Nothing good.”
“You’re both acting like children,” Fia groans, tossing her hands up. “It’s the holiday break, and I’m determined to make you two civil.” She brings her hands together in front of her, exhaling loudly. “Can youat leaststop being so awkward when you’re in the same room?”
Penny and I stare at each other, unblinking.
“Please? For me? Think of it as a Christmas gift.” Fia bats her lashes dramatically at her sister.
“Fi, let it go,” Penny warns. “Jesse and I arefine, aren’t we?” She crosses her arms and tilts her head, daring me to disagree.
“Yeah,” I reply, dry as hell. “We’re grand.”
We are absolutelynotfine.
But the moment to hash it out isn’t over lasagna and Fia’s naively twisted dream of a perfectly blended family dinner.
“Well, I have to work tomorrow evening,” Fia adds casually. “So you two will have a chance to catch up.”
I swear Fia throws a wink my way.
“Right,” I say at the exact moment Penny blurts, “Absolutely not,” and lets out a sharp, almost panicked laugh.
So that’s how it’s gonna be, huh?
13
Penny
NOW
