Chapter twenty-one Penn #2
“Thanks, B.” She hugs him now as Astrid snaps pictures of them, and then she asks an innocent bystander to take a picture of all six of us.
It’s moments like these that will still take some time getting used to—not because I don’t have pictures with the three of them already—but now these pictures have a new meaning.
They’re pictures of the four of us as a family, Astrid and I as a team, two people who love each other and are creating a life together.
I’m moving into her house this week before Christmas. I would have done it sooner, but as of yesterday I’m no longer an employee of Catch & Release or Carrington Cove Hardware Store, so now I finally have the time to do it.
As soon as I’m done with my rental house, my old house will be next.
Astrid was right. There will be two homes to rent out next year, and if things work out well, I’ll be adding a third by the spring.
Pam at Cove Reality has been keeping me in the loop of small places that would work well for tourists.
In the meantime, Sheppard Contracting Services is officially up and running.
My business cards just came in the mail yesterday, and my licensing is complete.
I’m purchasing a new truck with better equipment to aid me in jobs, and my phone has already been blowing up with people needing items taken care of before the holidays.
But today was not about work—for once in my life.
Today was about my family—showing up for the little girl who danced with as much heart as she possesses. And tonight, we’re going to celebrate her accomplishments as a family.
“Is it time for ice cream yet?” Lilly asks, staring up at me.
“Dinner first. Then ice cream,” Astrid answers.
“Do we have to eat dinner first?” she continues, ignoring her mother.
“You heard what your mom said, Lilly.” Being stern with this kid isn’t going to get any easier, but Astrid assured me that if I’m going to slip into the role of dad instead of fun uncle, I have to be rule enforcer sometimes.
It’s still a work in progress.
“Fine.” With a pout on her lips, she begins marching toward Astrid’s car and the three of us follow. “Can we at least go to Perky’s Pizza then so we can play games?”
Astrid glances over at me. “Whatever you want, Lilly.”
I arch a brow at her. “And you say I’m the pushover.”
She laughs and shakes her head at me, biting that bottom lip of hers. “I never said that.”
“Can you blame me though? I mean, one flash of that pout and those big green eyes, and she’s hard to say no to.”
“You’ve got to be strong, Penn.”
I pull her into me as we arrive at the car. “I can’t, babe. It’s like staring at a smaller version of you. And you know damn well that I’m powerless when it comes to the women in this family.”
Peering up at me, she says, “I guess there are worse problems to have then.”
“Yeah. I could not have you in my life at all.”
***
“This place is packed tonight.” Astrid looks around us as we sit in our booth at Catch & Release. For two people who used to work here, being customers instead of behind the bar is making us both on edge.
Astrid bites her bottom lip. “I know. I want to go refill drinks and start bussing tables so bad.”
Reaching across the table, I chuckle as I take her hand in mine and squeeze. “That’s not our job anymore, babe.”
“I know,” she sighs. “But it’s instinct. Old habits die hard.”
“Believe me. I get it. But let’s just focus on our date tonight, okay?”
“I would love to, but I can’t help but feel like everyone is staring at us.”
Yeah, that’s been happening a lot lately.
We didn’t make an official announcement because who the fuck does that anyway, but I sure as hell haven’t been shy about showing public displays of affection in the last week or so.
Hell, half the town knew about us already because of Dick’s fat mouth, but he took my threat to heart and hasn’t shown his face around the bakery since then.
Ultimately, I don’t give a shit about what people think, but it’s clear as day that we’re a topic of conversation still.
Christmas is in two days, and even though Astrid and I have been together for far longer than the past week, people around town are still getting used to the development.
My eyes dart around the room. “It must be my new flannel. Everyone is probably wondering where I got it.”
She swats at me across the table. “Don’t be sassy, Penn.”
“Well, I think we both know why they’re looking over here, baby.” I lean in closer to her. “But I thought that we agreed to ignore the gossip?”
She stares down at our intertwined hands. “I know. It’s just…uncomfortable still, I guess.”
Hating seeing her retreat into herself, especially because I know how hard she fought to be okay with this thing between us, I decide to put a stop to the stares and whispers once and for all.
I stand from my side of the booth, put my fingers between my lips, and whistle loud enough to bring the entire restaurant to a dead silence.
“Penn! What are you doing?” she whispers up at me, trying to pull me by the hand back down into my seat.
“Good evening, everyone,” I say, ignoring her and removing my hand from hers.
“I hope you’re all having a nice night.” Murmurs fill the air.
“My night is shaping up to be a fantastic one, but before I get on with it, I think it’s time to set the record straight about something.
” I pull her up to stand next to me and spin her around so she can see everyone as well.
“You might be wondering if something is going on between the two of us.” Astrid covers her face with her hands, but I pull them away and spin her around so she’s facing me now.
With my hand on her cheek, I look into her eyes as I say, “The truth is, I’ve been in love with this woman for far too long.
And just recently, she finally decided to give me the chance to prove that I am the man that she deserves.
Life is short, true love is rare, and there’s nothing wrong with going after what your heart desires.
So, even though everyone might have their opinions about our relationship, I’d just like to ask you to keep them to yourself—because the only thing that matters is that I love her, and she loves me, and one day this woman will be my wife. ”
“It’s about damn time, Penn!” someone calls out from the back of the restaurant, making everyone laugh and cheer.
“Kiss her then!” another voice shouts.
“What do you think, Astrid? Think we can seal the deal in front of everyone and leave no doubt at all that this is real?” I whisper against her lips.
Her smile is blinding as I tip her back, holding her to my chest. “I think after a speech like that, a kiss is required.”
***
“I’m kind of surprised that blindfolds are one of your kinks, but I really wanted to do this to you first before you did it to me.”
Astrid laughs as she guides me by the hand. The black fabric covering my eyes is so dark that no sliver of light can peek through. “Well, maybe we can turn the tables later after your surprise.”
“I already had plans to devour you, but this will just heighten the entire experience.”
The squeak of a door tells me we have to be close to our destination, and the longer I can’t see where I’m at, the more anxious I feel.
“I’m gonna hold you to that promise, Penn.”
“You won’t have to. It’s happening.”
Astrid takes in a deep breath and then blows it out as she stands next to me. I’m aware of every noise she makes right now, especially since I’ve lost one of my senses. “Okay. So, we’re here and now that I’m seeing your surprise, I’m not sure how I feel about this anymore.”
Squeezing her hand in mine, I reply, “Baby, I’m sure I’m going to love it.”
“I hope so.” She reaches up and unties the sash from my eyes. Blinking away the fuzziness in my sight, I wait for things to clear up before trying to process what I’m seeing.
Lined out in front of me, in my rental home that is still a work in progress, are several frames of pictures developed in sepia tones.
The images look familiar, most are outside around Carrington Cove it looks like, but I can’t quite place them.
“You got me pictures?” I ask, turning to find Astrid standing next to me, biting her lip.
“I did.”
“Oh. Well…thank you.” I’m not sure what else to say, but Astrid luckily chimes in.
“When we were talking about your business during our getaway and how you wanted to think about branding and other stuff, I had an idea.” She steps closer to the frames and holds one up in front of me. “Do you recognize this?”
Staring at the image before me, it takes a minute before it clicks. “Is that the Hansen’s deck that I built?”
She nods. “Yup.” Placing the picture back down on the ground, she grabs the next one. “And this?”
“Mr. Hobb’s carport?”
Another nod. “Right again.” My eyes move through the pictures now, recalling each of these projects that I completed with my own two hands, landing on one of Willow’s house that I renovated over the summer, and then the last picture that Astrid holds out in front of me. “But this one is my favorite.”
I reach out and touch the frame of the ramp at the Veteran’s Center that I built with my father all those years ago. “Damn, Astrid.” Memories flood my mind, and the sting of tears comes on, but I hold it together. “What are all of these for, baby?”
“I thought they’d be beautiful artwork to display in your rental houses, Penn,” she says, placing the last frame on the ground before staring back up at me. “Images of all you’ve accomplished before this venture, so you never forget where you came from and where you’re at now.”
Fuck. If I didn’t love this woman already, this would have sealed the deal.
“I—I don’t know what to say.”
“I think guests will love them too.” She stares back at the photos with admiration. “Your sister is quite the photographer, so they showcase her talent too.”
“You had Hazel take these?”
“Obviously. I can’t capture a picture like that. Hell, I still end up with my finger in pictures on my phone sometimes.”
Laughing, I pull her into my chest. “Fuck, I’m in awe.” Nuzzling her neck, I say, “Thank you.”
“You’re welcome. You deserve a reminder that who you were is part of who you are now, and I will be here supporting you and cheering you on just like you’ve done for me.”
“I love you,” I whisper against her lips.
“I love you more.” Our mouths meet in an intense kiss that makes me feel like I’m living in a fucking dream—because that’s what this is—my dream job, my dream girl, and my dream life.
Over the past three years, I’ve wondered if I’d ever get here or if these feelings and desires were just meant to be ideas that died by my own fear and stubbornness.
But Astrid has helped me see that it’s okay to be selfish, it’s courageous to chase what I want out of my life, and the thing I wanted most of all—was her.
“Just let me know when it’s time to decorate because I have some ideas for that too,” she says, smiling up at me.
“I don’t deserve you,” I tell her, waiting for someone to pinch me.
But she cups my face and says, “Yes, you do, Penn. We deserve each other. And now we get to love each other for the rest of our lives.”