Chapter 9
DARCY
“There’sa lot of stuff in here,” Penn said as I pulled out item after item. There were two mini pies, a jar of blueberry jam, sandwiches, fruit salad, and a bouquet of flowers sitting between us already. “Which one is your favorite?”
“The jam. It’s incredible. I’ll bet you’ve never tasted anything like it,” I replied before I realized who I was talking to. “Not that you will, because I am one hundred percent taking the jam.”
Penn chuckled slightly. “I remember. I definitely am not out here trying to screw you out of your jam.” He peered up at me, and I saw those blue eyes peeking through his glasses. “I wouldn’t mind trying it, though. Think you can spare a spoonful?”
“I don’t know. It depends,” I replied.
He smiled in a way that made my stomach jump, and I quickly looked down to avoid his gaze.
No, I said to my stomach, absolutely not. I don’t care that his jawline is crisp, and he has the eyes of Zac Efron. It’s a no.
I refused to admit to any sort of attraction to Penn Murphy. I had seen guys far more handsome than him in my life, even though I couldn’t think of one, and I would not succumb to his crystal eyes and pillowy lips and...
“On?” he asked.
“Huh?” I had forgotten what we were talking about. My mind had been clouded by the way his curls fell over his eyebrows.
Damn it, Darcy. Do not do this. Think of something mean. Think of how he killed Mr. Fishleskin.
“You said ‘it depends’ when I asked if you could share a bite of the jam. I was just curious, what does it depend on?” He was still looking at me, and I didn’t like it. I didn’t like the way his eyes had softened or that he had a whimsical look on his face.
I pulled out one of the donuts from the basket and took a bite. “If that jam were the only food left on the planet, and we were the last two surviving humans, then I might share a spoonful.”
Penn leaned back, a wide grin spread across his face, and he rubbed his hands together. “You don’t like me much, do you?”
“I don’t know you.” I was dividing up the contents of the basket into two piles. It was true; I didn’t know him. But he seemed like an arrogant and pompous ass, so I didn’t think I liked him much.
“I just feel like maybe we got off on the wrong foot. Is there any way we could start over? I’m really not used to people hating me from the moment we meet. Usually, they have to know me first.” I cracked a smile, and he caught me. “Ohhh, be careful, you almost looked like you weren’t absolutely miserable being here with me.”
I straightened my face, pursing my lips. “Well, I wouldn’t want you to think that,” I replied, but my lips betrayed me and began to upturn again. “I guess we can start over, but I’m not promising anything.” I opened the fruit container and took out a grape, popping it into my mouth.
“Great.” He held out his hand eagerly and cleared his throat. “Hello, I’m Penn Murphy. Nice to meet you.”
I took his hand and watched as it engulfed mine. “Nice to meet you, Penn. I’m Darcy Miller. Tell me, have you run anyone over with your car lately? Killed any fish? Stolen any prizes?” I raised my eyebrows as he squeezed my hand before we parted.
He let out a hearty laugh and leaned his head back. “Oh, man, Darcy. You’re complicated, aren’t you?”
“Maybe.” I tilted my head, biting the inside of my cheek and examining him.
I looked over his outfit, noting how he wore a pair of dark jeans that looked to be tailored to fit him perfectly with a crisp, white shirt and a camel-colored jacket. He looked expensive, and I had to admit, he smelled expensive, too. I was sure he had asked the cologne salesperson which one would make women want to bury their faces in his chest ,and he bought that one. Not that I wanted to, but I would expect anyone else who smelled him would. The point was, Penn did not, in any way, look or smell like he wanted to live in Aveline.
“I may be complicated, but I’m not the one hiding something,” I said, taking one of the strawberries and biting into it.
I swore I saw his jaw clench at the mention of a secret, but he did his best to keep it at bay. I saw it, though—I saw the way his body went slightly rigid before trying to compose himself.
“What do you mean?” he asked nonchalantly. “I’m not hiding anything.”
I squinted my eyes and crossed my arms over my chest. “I still don’t believe you. I think you are hiding something, and it would be a lot less complicated if you would just tell me what you are really doing in Aveline.”