Chapter Twenty Eight #2
"Okay." She looked so damn regretful that I wanted nothing more than to kiss her senseless right here.
I couldn't believe she cared so much about Ben.
Penny loved Ben more than his own damn mother did!
God, I loved her. He squirmed a bit, blinking his eyes open, but then closed them right back.
I could understand where Penny was coming from.
I was fighting the urge not to head upstairs and put him on my shoulder.
Penny was looking at the camera, resting her face on her palms and sighing. I tiptoed up behind her, wrapping my arms around her waist.
She startled lightly. "He's just so cute," she said. "How did he like it at your grandparents’?"
She straightened up, and I stepped back a bit to give her enough space to turn around.
"I don’t think anyone got much sleep, no matter what Grandmother is saying." Clearing my throat, I added, “I’m sorry about your run-in with Naomi.”
"Oh, that." She waved her hands. “It’s no big deal.”
“What did she say? Tell me, Penny." I didn’t trust that Naomi had shared the truth with me about their conversation.
"I don't want you to fight with her."
"I already did.”
“Oh no.”
“Tell me.”
“But why do you want to know?"
"Because I care about you. I love you."
"Spencer!" Smiling, she put her hands on my shoulders. "You don't spring this on a girl just like that in the midst of a conversation."
I laughed. "That's your answer?"
"No, my answer is that I love you and Ben so much that I feel like my heart will explode, but that's beside the point."
"No, it's not. It's exactly the point," I said, grabbing her neck and pressing my forehead to hers.
"I love you and Ben," she said.
"Therefore, I need to be aware of everything because I want to know how you feel. My job is to protect you from any worries, including Naomi. It's my job to keep you happy."
She pursed her lips. "A job? That doesn't sound very pleasant."
I grinned. "You're right. I didn't word it right. But it's my duty, my responsibility. And I'm very happy to do it.”
She sighed, putting her hand on her chest. "You just keep being romantic. I think I might swoon soon."
"Don't worry, I'll take care of you."
"So, you're not going to let it go, huh?"
"No."
"She just said that I'm not your type. That you will come to your senses and realize what’s good for you."
"First, I don't have a type. I've never had. And anyway, if I did, that type would be you.”
“Oh, Spencer, that’s so romantic.”
“Did she tell you anything else?”
“No. Why?”
“She mentioned crazy things to me. Like getting back together.” I didn’t want to have any secrets from Penny, but watching her expression turn from happy to shocked changed my mind. I should’ve kept my mouth shut.
“What?” she gasped. “Why? I mean… why now?”
“Because she ran out of money and can’t find a sponsor.”
“That can’t be true. Ben—”
“Trust me, she wasn’t thinking about Ben.”
Penny glanced down at her feet. “What did you tell her?”
“That she’s not allowed to bring up that bullshit ever again.”
She glanced up. I couldn’t get a good read on her. “Okay,” she said.
“I shouldn’t have told you that.”
“No, it’s good that you did. I’m just… still processing. I think I need more coffee. Can we talk about something else?”
“Sure. How is Taylor?” I asked as we moved into the kitchen. I started the coffee machine, brewing a cup for her.
“Enjoying her home. Still on my case about taking that job.”
I straightened up, handing her the cup. “Have you thought about it more?”
"I told you, I'm not interested. I told them too.”
“Why is Taylor not on your side, then?" I asked.
"She says that I shouldn't decide with my heart again."
Something squeezed hard in my chest. “Do you think she has a point?”
“No. Back when I told her I wouldn’t mind a job in another city, I figured that if I ran away to a new place, I’d feel better—heal faster. But I don’t need that anymore. Besides, you and Ben are here, and Ben is now starting to go through a lot of changes. I wouldn't want to miss that."
I loved what I was hearing, and still, something inside me told me I couldn't just accept this as it was. I tilted closer, touching her shoulders with my hands. "I’m happy about that, but I’m not sure if you’re ready for it. I mean, when I asked you to move in with me, you said it was too soon."
"I don’t understand… What are you saying?”
I swallowed hard. “That I’m afraid you might not be ready to make a huge decision about your career because of Ben and me.”
“Is this… because of what Naomi told you?”
“What’s one thing got to do with the other?” I was confused at the change of topic.
“First she tells you that she wants to get back together, and now you’re insisting I’m not ready for commitment?”
A loud knock at the door startled us both. Then Taylor’s voice resounded from outside. “Girl, let’s go.”
Penny shook her head.
I took her face in my hands, tilting it up. “Penny, this has nothing to do with Naomi. Nothing. It’s about you and me and the fact that I want you to be happy.”
“But I am happy.”
I kissed her forehead, taking in a deep breath. “Go have fun with Taylor. We’ll talk when you get back, okay?”
I headed to the door, opening it before Taylor rang the bell. That would wake up Ben for sure. I didn’t want Penny to go away at all—especially not right now.
Penny introduced me and Taylor a few weeks ago, and since then, we’d seen each other almost daily in our backyards.
Maybe it was good for Penny to think about this without me and Ben around. But what if she came to the conclusion that I was right and she wasn’t ready?