She could find a job here or, as scary as it was, open up her own business for real. Brett had an MBA. He’d offered more than once to help her figure out the logistics, and she already had the paperwork done. She had a connection to the hockey and lacrosse crowd, and with some elbow grease, she had no doubt she’d be able to expand her reach.
Her family, while excited to have her home, was used to her being gone at this point. They’d be happy for her. Probably nervous at first given her history, but once they met Brett—once they saw how they were together—they’d get it, wouldn’t they?
Brett’s grip tightened around her, and the beat of his heart thumped low and deep against her ear. “Do you want some of that vegetable bean soup I made yesterday?”
Penny lifted her chin and grinned. “It’s called Minestrone.”
_____
Brett set his bag next to the door and slipped off his shoes. Penny’s car was gone, and that sent his heart racing. All week he’d been walking around with a needle in his chest, and none of his skills were releasing it. Give it to God. Accept the things you cannot change. He repeated these things to himself hourly in the hopes that his body would get the message, but it didn’t.
It was like standing in front of a loaded weapon with a timestamp on the trigger pull. Every word, every touch, every kiss, brought him closer to the muzzle. Why didn’t he just ask her to stay?
He would. He just needed to wait for the right time. The right words. She’d started to build a good life here, hadn’t she? Penny had friends and work if she wanted it. Daniel had sand blasted her, but there were plenty of businesses she hadn’t applied to, and with word of mouth on the hockey boards, she wouldn’t need to contract with an office if she didn’t want to. She could get her own space. His team could do the build out. He’d make her the best damn office in the northwest if she wanted it.
How’re you doing?
Tyler texted, and Brett stared at the message.Not great. Happiest I’ve ever been and I can’t enjoy it because I’m too scared to lose it.
In my head, buddy
Meeting tomorrow?
Yep. I’ll pick you up
He set his phone on the counter and glanced down at the notepad and pen in front of the stool.Pick up pizza. Call florist. Fill out tax form online. Rent truck and tow kit?
Shit. Shit. Shit. Brett gripped the edge of the counter and sucked in a breath. She was serious. If the boxes she’d brought in the other day weren’t enough of a sign. But there was a question mark at the end of that last item. Was it there because she didn’t know if she wanted to book it or because she wasn’t sure if she already had? He felt like he was strapped into a runaway car heading straight over the edge of a cliff.
The front door opened, and Brett jolted. Penny walked in with a pizza box in her hands and thankfully didn’t look up at him right away. He smoothed his features and turned his back to her, pretending to be focused on getting a glass of water.
“Hey!” she chirped. “I got pizza tonight.”
“Oh perfect.”
“Did you have to wait for me long? I wanted to be home before you got back from work, but they’re redoing part of Stoney Trail and I got stuck in the longest merge lane known to man.” Penny padded into the kitchen and set the box on the counter, then wrapped her arms around him and buried her face in his chest. “How was work?”
Brett set his glass on the counter and held her. “Great. Had to rip out some ductwork that was put in wrong, but they almost got it replaced by the time I left.”
She looked up, keeping her arms looped around him. “You’re still being careful with your knee, right? I know it feels normal, but it’s not—”
“I’m being careful.” He pushed her hair back from her face and tucked it behind her ear.
She grinned up at him. “Speaking of which, we should do a session. After dinner?”
Brett nodded, not sure how he was going to force himself to eat. “How are things going with the anniversary prep?”Feel it out. See if she says anything.
Penny sighed. “Good. I think my parents are getting suspicious though.” She let go of him and turned to open the pizza box.
“Oh yeah?”
“Apparently my dad saw a friend of his who Andrea invited to the party, and he said ‘see you next week’ and Dad asked him why they’d see each other next week and the guy wasn’t a good actor.” She separated the two paper plates and handed him one, then lifted a slice from the box.
She wasn’t upset. Why wasn’t she upset? She was leaving in seven days—driving back to Vancouver and out of his life—and she was standing here prattling on about it like she was heading to the grocery store.
“Can we do our session now?”
Penny looked up. “Now? Before we eat?”
