Page 46 of Little Do You Know

“Just how much you love food.” She winks at me, and I roll my eyes.

“Because the food in Paris was the best. None of the processed shit we have here. You’re going to be so disappointed by the options,” I warn her, and she grabs my hand.

“I’m just glad to be here.”

I could almost cry in relief with how happy I am that Penelope is in front of me. There’s so much to fill her in on.I can hardly keep track of what I’ve covered and what I haven’t.

“As heartfelt and fun as this is, I promised Blake I’d pick her up from the airport.” Owen stands up, and I’m confused.

“I didn’t know she ended up going. Wait—why didn’t you go with me when I picked up Pen? We could have waited for Blake’s flight to get in,” I ask, and then it dawns on me. Owen didn’t go with me because he wanted to pick her up. That idiot. She has a boyfriend. At least, I think she still does. I can’t keep up.

“Who is Blake?” Penelope asks, and I switch to French quickly. I have a feeling that a lot of my explanations will need to be in French.

“This girl you’ll like. Owen is hopelessly in love with her, even though she just went on a last-second trip to visit her boyfriend. My brother enjoys torturing himself.”

Owen flips me off, causing Sebastian to snort. “I don’t want to know what you told her. It’s probably not true, but whatever. I’m taking your car, Bash.”

“Fill it up with gas; keys should be on the counter.”

“You didn’t make Thalia do that,” Owen complains, and I hide my triumphant smile. I didn’t have to fill it up because I didn’t tell him I was taking his car. I asked. Personal growth is a funny thing.

“Thalia didn’t insist on picking up her friend by herself after a trip to the airport had already been taken on the same day. An Uber would cost more if you want to go that route instead,” he says in a bored tone, and I stick my tongue out triumphantly at Owen.

Owen rolls his eyes at his best friend. “You owe me.”

“I don’t owe you? You’re putting miles on my car because yours is in the shop again.”

“She just needs a little more help than other cars, low blow, man.”

“If I were trying to hit you below the belt, I’d comment on how you should shave your beard.” Sebastian scrolls on his phone absently, and I push Owen out the door before he’s late picking Blake up.

“Bring her back here; we’ll try to stay awake, but no promises. Good luck!” I’m trying to be nice, but all it earns me is an annoyed look. I can’t say I’m sad he’s leaving because now Penelope gets to meet Sebastian again as my boyfriend.

I practically skip out into the living room to find them chatting, and I sit next to Sebastian this time. His hand rests on my knee, giving me a knowing look. “I’m assuming she’s the only person we don’t have to lie low around?”

“I’ve been listening to Lia complain about you since I met her. Your secret is safe with me.”

“I don’t know if I even want to imagine what she has told you about me. I’m assuming I’ve been called an asshole a lot? Wait, what is it that you like to say? Sebastian un connard?”

He doesn’t completely butcher it, but hearing him say it about himself is funny. “Sebastian est un connard, but close enough. It was only a few times; I kept telling her it was pent-up sexual frustration,” Penelope corrects him politely.

One of my favorite things about Penelope is what you see is what you get.

“And I’m pretty sure I denied it every time you said it,” I pipe in, leaning into Sebastian as he wraps an arm around my shoulder.

Penelope smiles warmly at us. “You still climbed him like a tree. She gave you a glowing review.”

“I guess that’s good to hear.” Sebastian laughs easily, smiling down at me. It’s the happiness in his shining eyes that gives me a funny feeling in my chest.

I feel my cheeks flush at the reminder. It’s unbelievable how good things are between us. Truly crazy. “Can we start taking bets when Blake and Owen will get together? I mean, if she and her boyfriend aren’t together anymore?” I ask, changing the conversation topic.

Bash hesitates, and I can feel the subtle shift. “You know something.”

“I do not.” His response is suspiciously delayed.

“Oh, you totally do. Spill.” I shift, turning excitedly to face him.

“Bro code. I really am not supposed to tell you this,” Sebastian protests. It’s a funny idea to try to pull bro code now. I wonder what Owen will think of bro code when he learns the truth about us.

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