24. Chapter Twenty-Four
Chapter Twenty-Four
LUCAS
A s I sit on the bed, propped up with pillows, I’m grateful I get to hold Penny in my arms every night for the rest of our lives. After finding out her photos had been leaked, things could have turned out a lot differently.
A heaviness weighs on my chest. “I didn’t get to apologize for not deleting your photos off my camera. I promised you I would. Every time I tried, I couldn’t do it. They were so special to me. Never did I think anyone would steal them. I’m so sorry. I hope you can forgive me.”
Penny tilts her face up and smiles. “Nothing to forgive. I’m glad you didn’t delete them.”
“Are you sure about that? A lot of people have seen them. The New York Post photographed them. They’re all over the internet.”
“It’s been a long time since something positive has been posted about me—about us. I have no regrets.” She splays her hand on my chest. “I can’t believe how quickly we got everything set up for the exhibition. Antonne performed a miracle.” After Penny figured out what Claudia had done, she called me to set up the plan. A plan that went perfectly.
“He sure knows how to put a show together. Didn’t even break a sweat when he had to rearrange the whole exhibition in a matter of hours right before the guests were due to arrive.”
“I’ll have to send him a gift basket.” Penny smiles.
“Make sure you add a bottle of vodka. He’ll need it.” I comb my fingers through her hair. “With everything going on, and the rush to get the photos ready, I never got to ask you how you knew it was Claudia and not me who leaked the photographs.”
She gives me a surprised look. “I can’t believe you’d think I’d accuse you.”
“It looked like I was holding the smoking gun. I wouldn’t blame you if you did.”
“There were only four people who knew about the photos. You, me, my mother, and Claudia. As much as my mom wants to boost my career, she’d never stoop so low. The only one left was Claudia. She immediately pointed the finger at you. Wanted me to believe you leaked them. What she didn’t know was how much you love me. I had faith in that. Our ‘fake’ relationship was more real than anything I’ve ever experienced before. When you love someone, you don’t hurt them. You’d never hurt me. It only took a moment for everything to make sense. All the things that had happened in my life—the naked high school photos, Darren’s video, the paparazzi always finding me when no one should know where I was, leaked stories—was all her doing. I made Claudia think I believed you did it so I could make a plan.”
“What a sensational plan it was. You were amazing. I’m so proud of you,” I say. She gives me a shy smile. I kiss her forehead. “I’m sorry for what she put you through. Will you be okay?”
Her eyes turn sad. “If I’m honest, I’m going to miss the friendship I thought we had. Even though it was all a lie, I feel like I’ve lost a friend. I know it sounds silly.”
Holding her tighter in my arms, I say, “It’s not silly. It will take time to heal from the loss. Just know I love you more than anything. I’m always here for you.”
“I love you too.”
As I lean over to kiss Penny, a loud knocking comes from the front door.
“Who could that be?” Penny asks.
I blow out a frustrated breath. I have a pretty good idea. My family are the only people Samuel lets up to my apartment without warning me first. “We better get dressed. My brothers are here.”
Penny’s eyes widen. “Now? It’s late.”
“They don’t care.” I get up and grab sweatpants and a t-shirt from the closet. Penny quickly gets dressed in jeans and a pale blue shirt.
Hand in hand, we make our way to the living room, knowing the knock on the door was a warning that they’d arrived. Hayden, Alyssa, Finn, Harper, and Elizabeth now have made themselves comfortable in the living room.
“What the hell are you doing here?” I aim the question at my grinning brothers.
“We thought since you left the party, we’d bring the party to you,” Finn explains.
“Plus, we’ve paid for a babysitter for another two hours, so we’re making the most of it,” Harper adds.
“Did you ever think you were intruding?” I already know what their answer will be. They don’t give a fuck.
Hayden shrugs. “Nope. By the way, we’ve ordered pizza.”
I shake my head with mock disgust. Beside me, Penny giggles.
Finn goes to the bar and pours drinks.
“Help yourself,” I grumble.
Finn lifts his glass in a toast. “We will. Now, what can I get for the ladies?”
They give him their orders, and he gets busy making cocktails like he’s in some swanky bar.
Elizabeth pulls Penny aside but not out of earshot. “Sweetheart. Are you okay?”
“I am,” she says with confidence.
That’s my girl. She won’t let anything break her.
“I can’t believe what that witch did to you,” Elizabeth says. “I’m shocked and disgusted. How did I not see who she really is?”
Penny places her hand on Elizabeth’s shoulder. “You’re not the only one. I spent nearly every day with her, and I never saw the snake she really is.”
“Well, good riddance to her.” She holds onto Penny’s hands. “Sweetheart, the photos were beautiful. You looked stunning. You are stunning.” Tears shimmer in Penny’s eyes. Elizabeth pulls her in for a hug. “I’m so proud of you.”
When they break away, both women are wiping the corners of their eyes. “Thanks, Mom.”
Elizabeth joins the party, and I put my arm over Penny’s shoulder, pulling her close. She places a hand on my chest. My heart beats with so much love for her surely she can feel it against her palm.
Penny is my life.
I never knew what happiness was until she came back into it.
“Are you ready for this, Pixie?”
She tilts her face up to me. “Ready for what?”
I nod toward my brothers and sisters-in-law. “Them. Us. You’re a part of it now. You’re my family, and they come with it.”
A tear slides down her cheek, and I swipe it away with my thumb, leaving my hand to cup her face.
She smiles brightly. “I couldn’t think of a better place to be.”