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Penny
Penny’s body was humming long after she left Jaxson’s motel room. Her spirits were high. Sex with Jaxson was everything she’d hoped for and more. The man was attentive and generous and liked taking control in bed, which she found particularly exciting. Call her old-fashioned, but since his idea of control resulted in giving her three orgasms for every one of his, she’d been happy to hand over the reins.
“You’re in a good mood today,” Penny’s mother commented after catching Penny singing while arranging a bouquet. “Are you looking forward to going to the police picnic with Lenny this weekend?”
“I’ve decided not to go,” Penny said. It hadn’t felt right before, and after spending the night with Jaxson, she knew beyond a shadow of a doubt that there was no reason to spend any time with Lenny or anyone else who didn’t make her feel like this.
Besides, Lenny’s recent penchant for cautionary texts was becoming bothersome. Penny was well aware of the fact that tongues were wagging. She didn’t need him to keep reminding her.
“Does Lenny know?”
“I texted him this morning.” On my way back from the best night of my life.
She’d no sooner said so than the bell over the door rang, and Lenny came in.
“Morning, Mrs. Hoffmeier. Penny, can I talk to you for a minute?”
Addie said something about needing to check on a delivery and disappeared into the back.
Lenny wasted no time in getting to the point. “Why are you backing out on me?”
Penny shrugged. “Because there’s no point.”
“Why does there have to be a point? Can’t two friends just hang out and have a good time together?”
“Of course they can, but you know as well as I do that if we go together, people are going to make assumptions.”
He looked at her as if she’d sprouted horns. “You’re worried about people thinking you and I are seeing each other but not that you’re throwing yourself at the biker?”
Penny felt the heat rush to her face. “I was just trying to help! I nearly ran him over, for goodness’ sake!”
“He looked like he was getting around just fine to me. Or at least, he did.”
“What do you know about that?” Penny asked, her eyes narrowing.
“Just what I’ve heard,” Lenny said, his gaze shifting toward the window. “That he stuck his nose where it didn’t belong.”
“You’re a cop! You don’t think it’s a problem that a guy comes to town, looking for some family history, and he gets beaten up for it?”
A casual shrug. “No one filed any charges. And I’ll tell you this: if he is somehow related to that crazy family, that’s even more reason to steer clear of him. They’re all a few bricks shy of a load and prone to delusions—”
The slap was completely unexpected. As if of its own accord, Penny’s hand had come up and made contact with Lenny’s jaw. She was every bit as stunned as he was. She’d never hit another person before. Never.
“What the hell was that for?” Lenny finally asked.
“Sam is my friend. She’s a good person. It’s not her fault her mother was sick, or that her father wasn’t in the picture, or that her grandparents were the way they were, just as it’s not your fault that your parents got divorced or your cousin, Dwayne, is a psychopath.”
She clamped her lips shut, horrified by the things she’d just said. Things she’d never meant to say out loud. Things she could never take back.
“Think very, very carefully about where you plant that righteous flag of yours,” Lenny said, leaning forward, his voice quieter. “People are talking. They’ve seen you driving around with him, showing up at his hotel room all hours of the day and night. Is that what you want?”
“Let them talk,” Penny said, standing taller. “I haven’t done anything I’m ashamed of.”
“That’s not what I hear,” he said darkly. “I’d be worried about my reputation if I were you, especially if you hope to marry a good man and have a family.”
“Well, you are not me,” Penny told him. “And if people I’ve known my whole life believe they have to right to judge me based on hearsay and rumors, then that says more about them than me.”
“Damn it, Penny! He’s just using you. Can’t you see that?”
“Maybe I’m just using him,” Penny countered, crossing her arms over her chest. “Have you considered that?”
Lenny shook his head and laughed softly, as if the idea were ludicrous. “No. Because that’s not you. You wear your heart on your sleeve. If you’re with him, it’s because you see something more there. But trust me on this. He’s not going to stick around. When he gets what he wants, he’s going to walk away and not look back. And you’ll wind up like your great-aunt—miserable and alone.”
They glared at each other until Penny’s mother returned and cleared her throat.
Lenny nodded respectfully to the older woman. “Mrs. Hoffmeier.” Then, he turned back to Penny. “Think about what I said. You ladies have a good day.”
“Pinus,” Penny muttered when Lenny made his exit.
“I don’t usually condone that sort of language, but in this case, I agree with you,” Addie muttered.
”No, I said...” Penny shook her head. “Never mind. It fits. How much did you hear?”
“Enough.” Addie’s face held genuine concern. “Is it true? Have you been visiting Jaxson at his hotel?”
Penny didn’t have to answer verbally. She was sure the guilt on her face said it all.
Addie sighed. “Oh, Penelope. I get it. Jaxson is a very attractive man. He’s new and exciting and different. But, as antiquated and unfair as it is, there’s some truth to what Lenny said, you know.”
“I know.” Penny summoned a smile. “But on the bright side, it’s not like I burned any bridges I’d planned on crossing anyway.”
“What about Jaxson?”
“What about him?” Penny asked with a shrug. “I probably won’t see him again. He’s relocating to Sanctuary for the remainder of his visit, and then he’s heading back to Virginia.”
“Oh, Penny.” Addie pulled her into a hug.
“It’s fine. I’m okay. Really.”
At least, that was what Penny kept telling herself. Maybe if she said it often enough, she would be.