16. Say goodnight to me again #3
“I stayed in my dad’s company because I thought I could protect what he’d built. Be his lucky Penny.” I pause with a smile at the name, then shake my head. “But I couldn’t. Corners were cut, and decisions were made by my stepmother, and buildings went up that never should’ve…”
Remi’s hand brushes my arm, and my throat tightens slightly.
“Then my ex cheated on me with my friend from the office, and suddenly I was the idiot who didn’t see it coming.”
I let out a quiet breath, and Frankie swears softly.
“And now there’s Evan and Elle, and they’ve built this life together that feels solid and safe and good…” I glance down at my hands. “Evan is kind and courageous. He builds things the right way. And I think part of me is just waiting to be the thing that knocks it off balance.”
Then Frankie sets her cue down on the table with a hard clack.
“Penny, my love.” Her voice is gentler now as she turns to me, her hand reaching out to hold my arm. “You need to understand something.”
I look up at her, waiting.
“Being treated badly isn’t proof you ruin things.” She pauses, her eyes filled with warmth and concern. “And you’re just as kind and courageous. You don’t knock things off balance, Penny. You hold them up.”
Remi nods. “Sounds like everyone was an asshole and you were the only one who wasn’t.”
“Thank you,” I say quietly. “But what if I become another thing that hurts them? He’s already had that happen once.”
She studies me. “Evan’s not your father. He doesn’t need you to save what he’s built. And he’s definitely not whoever that douche canoe at your office was.”
I swallow.
“And for what it’s worth,” she adds, “Stacey didn’t just hurt them—she detonated their entire life.”
Remi glances toward the bar, making sure no one’s hovering too close.
“She walked out on both of them when she chose her addiction. It wasn’t a slow fade. She blew his life up completely. She’d already been using on and off without him knowing, and seeing other guys… She completely broke him.”
Frankie nods once. “And left him holding everything together.”
“And he did,” Remi says. “He stepped up, has never once bad-mouthed her in front of Elle or made it ugly. He tried to help her so many times, and yes, he doesn’t let people close to him easily now.
So if the boys are saying he’s hovering and being weird about you?
It’s not because he thinks you’re temporary or bad luck, babe. ”
Before I can respond, a familiar voice cuts in behind me.
“Well, this is a nice surprise.”
I close my eyes briefly. Tucker.
I turn, leaning one hip against the table. “Hello, Officer.”
“It’s Detective.” His grin is easy as his eyes peruse me openly, and Frankie practically vibrates.
“You look—”
“Like I’m about to win this game?” I cut in.
“That too.” He laughs. “Didn’t know Neverland had a dress code now.”
“It doesn’t,” I say. “I’m just raising the standard.”
Frankie chokes on a laugh behind me, and he steps a fraction closer, enough that I catch the hint of aftershave under the bar smell. It’s different to Evan’s.
“You heading out later?” he asks. “Or is this the main event?”
“This is it,” I reply with a sigh.
“Your firefighter finally let you out unsupervised, huh?”
My head tilts, and I meet his gaze calmly. “If you’re fishing, you’re gonna be disappointed.”
“Shame,” he says lightly. “I was hoping to steal you for a drink somewhere quieter.”
“Not tonight.”
He studies me for a second, recalibrating. “Another night, then?”
“Thank you, but…” I shake my head. “I don’t think so.”
Something shifts in his expression, and then he lifts his hands in surrender. “Worth a shot.”
He lingers a beat longer, then heads back toward Gwen at the bar.
Frankie exhales dramatically. “Oh my god, that was beautiful to witness.”
Remi grins, already pulling out her phone. “Colt’s gonna love that.”
I pick up my cue again, but something about that exchange with Tucker settles differently than it would have a few months ago. Because it would’ve been easy once to flirt back for the hell of it. To keep it light and unattached. Now it just feels unappealing.
My phone buzzes against the edge of the table, and I grab it.
Evan: You good?
My eyes flit to the time at the top of my screen—it’s just after ten. I’ve had a couple of drinks, enough that my shoulders are looser and my thoughts a little less filtered.
Me: Yep. Absolutely smashed. Just did a keg stand.
Frankie leans over immediately. “Is that Evan? Are you flirting?”
“No,” I say, stretching my arm away from her line of sight.
Remi snorts. “Of course they are.”
Evan: Impressive
Me: I have many hidden talents
There’s a longer pause this time, and I wonder what he’s doing. Maybe sitting on the couch after getting Elle to bed, or giving Gus pats.
Evan: Don’t do anything I wouldn’t do
Me: Hmm that doesn’t leave me many options
Evan: Brat
My thighs press together before I can stop them. Frankie gestures over my shoulder at my phone like she’s about to combust.
“You are flirting,” she whispers loudly.
I chuckle, then tuck my phone back into my bag, shaking my head even as the warmth lingers. The music swells, and someone cheers near the bar. Frankie lines up her next shot with exaggerated focus while Remi brings a fresh tray of drinks over.