Chapter 3 #2
Penny: Ruin, you didn’t say anything wrong! I know I should reach out more. I like hanging out with you, guys!
Penny: Nothing’s going on. I was just home and felt the urge to go out. Like out of nowhere, I thought: I’m single, hot, and funny. Why am I home drinking wine and watching Hallmark instead of going out?
Silence.
No three little dots dancing.
Mierda.
Am I really that pathetic that my friends don’t know what to say to me when I want to go out?
Rain: Okay, I’m going to say it. Miles is home.
Carly: Miles? Why would Penny care where Miles is?
Ruin: I can confirm Rain’s text. Miles messaged the boys earlier to ask who wanted to go out with him tonight, and everyone said no. So he went home.
Against my will, a huge grin appears on my face. I shouldn’t care that he wanted to go out and decided to stay in.
But for some reason, it makes me happy to know that I’m out and he’s not.
Penny: Cool, cool. I’m not sure why I should know about Miles’ whereabouts after work, but I’m glad to know he’s safe. *shrug emoji*
Daisy: I’m drawing a blank too! Wait! Is there something going on between you two, Penny?
Carly: Oh snap! Well, I’m glad to know at least two people got their heads out of their asses and are working on their emotions.
Aww, Carly. I hate that she’s got her eyes set on the grumpiest man I’ve ever met, but you don’t choose who you fall for.
Otherwise, I’m one hundred percent sure I’d never set my eyes—and my lust—on an arrogant man like Miles.
Penny: Whoa, whoa. Hold your horses, Carly girl. There’s nothing going on between Miles and me besides our work relationship.
I read and re-read the text, a wicked smile tugging at my lips.
Anyone else would’ve fallen for that.
Penny: In all honesty, I just wanted to see what you guys were up to. I think I’m the oldest of the bunch, and I feel like I’m past my prime.
I’ve never really been this open with anyone. But with these women, it just happens. Every time we hang out, they make me feel like I actually belong.
The bartender slides the drink my way, and I nod in thanks. I take a sip, letting the bubbles fizz on my tongue, enjoying the mix of champagne and gin.
Carly: Let me stop you right there, Penelope Marie Levine. You might be a couple of years older than us. But that doesn’t mean your prime has passed. Your prime lasts for as long as you want it to. We don’t let society dictate who we are or how we feel about ourselves. Fuck that shit!
Penny: Fuck the Patriarchy!
Daisy: Amen, sister! If you want to talk about “your prime passing by”. Let’s talk about me and how, despite years of working my ass *literally* off to get my yoga studio up and running, I’m still barely making enough to stay afloat. Or did you forget I got a second job to help with my bills?
Rain: Oh, baby girl. But that second job is with the man who has had you drooling for years now. #sorrynotsorry
Ruin: I have to agree with Raindrop on this one, Daisy. That’s one hell of a perk!
Daisy: A girl can dream, girls. That man is finer than vintage wine. *drooling emoji* But he’s so damn perfect. I know he’ll never cross the line.
Carly: LMAO. You should make the first move, Daisy!
Mia: Oh! Funny how my sister can give advice but won’t take it for herself. #justsaying *manicure emoji*
Carly: Shush, Mia! Manny is a gentleman. I’m sure he’d be all over Daisy if he knew she was into him. Unfortunately, the man my eyes decided to set their sights on is harder to crack than a one-year-old fruitcake.
Rain: I shouldn’t laugh because you’re talking about my brother, Carly. But fuck if I didn’t spit my tea all over the sofa. *laugh emoji*
Penny: I hate to be that bitch that brings the conversation back to a more serious note, but…
Penny: Thank you for saying that, Carly. I just got home after a long day. A long week, really. I found myself watching a movie and having dinner on my couch! I don’t want to spend the rest of my days on the couch. I want to live, to have fun! But I feel alone. That’s the ugly truth.
A mix of curiosity and excitement settles in my chest as I wait for the girls to respond to my confession, the three little dots dancing on the screen.
Suddenly, I feel a hand on my shoulder.
I turn and look up—and freeze.
A face I haven’t seen in way too long is looking down at me with that same easy, familiar smile. My expression shifts instantly, and I’m on my feet before I even realize it.
“Easton, I can’t believe it’s you,” I say, wrapping my arms around my childhood friend.
“It’s so fucking good to see you, Pens. I can’t believe it either.”
He squeezes me tight, our bodies pressed together, and I melt into it for a second.
God, I’ve missed his hugs.
“So, what are you up to?” I ask as I sit back down, and he drags a stool closer to mine.
“You know. Nothing exciting.” He shrugs it off while flagging the bartender and ordering a Scotch on the rocks.
“What do you mean nothing exciting? Last time we spoke, you were living the life in London,” I say, taking a sip of my drink.
“Meh.” He shrugs again. “It got old.”
The bartender sets his drink down and asks if I want another.
I shake my head.
“I don’t follow,” I say, frowning slightly.
Easton takes a long swig, savoring it before speaking, his gaze drifting to the rows of liquor bottles behind the bar. “It was fun. A great time, even. But at the end of the day… I didn’t have anyone who really mattered.”
When his eyes come back to mine, something shifts.
There’s something there I’ve never seen before.
Longing.
That can’t be right.
I’ve never seen Easton as anything other than one of my best friends.
Am I imagining it?
Neither of us looks away, and the air between us turns heavy.
“Yeah, missing the family can be a real bitch,” I say lightly, trying to diffuse the sudden tension.
“No kidding. The older I get, the more I realize what actually matters.” His eyes stay on me for a beat longer, but whatever was there a second ago is gone, replaced by the easygoing Easton I know.
Phew. What a relief.
“What about you, Pens? Still working with that foreign billionaire?”
Even though he asks with a smile, a flicker of uneasiness settles in my chest.
“Yup, I love working with Gio. He’s an amazing guy.
Funny how that doesn't change just because he's 'foreign,'” I say, my tone cold and sharp, my words short. If he thinks he can come and say Gio is less than because he’s from a different country, he can crawl his ass back to London.
No one gets to talk bad about him. Not even Easton.
“I meant no offense, Pens. I apologize if it came out that way. I was just asking because I have a proposal for you.”
One of his brows arches as his charming smile widens, and my heart starts racing.
Oh God.
Is he talking about a relationship-type proposal?
Easton is objectively an attractive guy—tall, with a lean but muscular build, short sandy-blond hair, and dark blue eyes.
But he’s just not my type.
I’ve never felt anything other than brotherly love for him.
My phone lights up and starts vibrating on the bar, Carly’s face flashing across the screen.
I smile and lift my index finger, letting Easton know I’ll be back in a second.
“Hey, bitch. You can’t drop that bomb on us and then ignore us,” Carly says, and I laugh.
“What are you talking about?” I ask, moving away from the bar and toward the door.
“Un-fucking-believable.” She huffs. “You told us why you feel lonely, we all texted, and you never replied.”
Crap, that’s right. I completely forgot I was chatting with them before Easton showed up.
“I’m sorry. I just met a friend I haven’t seen in a long time and didn’t check my phone,” I say.
“Is this a friend friend? Or a friend-with-benefits?”
“Mia? Is that you?” I ask, surprised.
“Yes! Carly, Daisy, and I are on our way to Charlotte,” she says, like it’s not a big deal.
But I’ve never really had this kind of friendship before.
Real girlfriends. I’ve always felt more comfortable around men than women.
Girls could be mean growing up, and I dealt with more bullying than any kid should have to.
Somewhere along the way, becoming “one of the guys” felt safer than risking becoming the target again.
Having women who genuinely show up for me still feels a little surreal.
“What? OMG! I need to tell my friend we’ll catch up later. Do you have my address?” I start walking back toward Easton, finding his eyes already on me.
I smile at him, and he smiles back.
Like always. A steady presence in my life.
“Now we do. Ruin gave it to us since she and Rain couldn’t make it,” Carly chirps in.
“Yeah, the married woman ditched our whole interfriention thing for dick,” Daisy pipes in, and I burst out laughing.
“Hey, for you to commit to the same dick for the rest of your life, it must be a good one. So I get it,” I say as I reach my stool, and Easton’s eyes grow comically.
The girls start talking over each other, and I laugh at the chaos that’s definitely about to invade my apartment. But I’m looking forward to it.
I say goodbye to the girls and hang up.
“Everything okay?” Easton asks once my phone is back on the bar.
“Yes. It’s just a group of friends who decided to come to my place tonight, so I have to head out.”
Disappointment flashes across his face, but he quickly covers it with a smile. “Alright. I guess our conversation is tabled until next time,” he says, standing.
“Absolutely, I’m intrigued to hear about your proposal,” I say honestly.
I wave to the waiter, and he brings me the check.
“I got it,” Easton says as he reaches for his wallet.
“I already had a tab. But thank you,” I say as I sign and slide the check back to the bartender.
“Lunch next week?” he asks expectantly.
“Lunch, yes. Let me get back to you on the day.”
He nods as he wraps his arms around me. “So good to see you, Pens. Take care.”
I give him a small wave and head out to get my car.
Thank God for good friends.
I can’t wait to laugh my butt off with the girls and finally unwind for a while.