Page 97 of Breakaway

“Halo,” Rafael says. “Wanna join in?”

“Maybe after I eat.”

Tangy slinks past Izzy and settles in my lap. I cuddle the warm weight of her against my stomach as I work my fingers over Penny’s knee. Outside, lightning flashes, followed a few moments later by the rumble of thunder. Penny sinks her hand into my hair, half-dry now, and scratches her nails over my scalp. My eyes slide shut.

People talk about love like it’s a given, but until now, I didn’t know if that included me. Yet every moment like this? Penny by my side, working her way into my life just as thoroughly as Tangerine? I thank the universe that I’m lucky enough to experience them.

Chapter 53

Cooper

February 14th

Penny

I FINISHED

Aw, without me?

Shut up, you know what I mean

Babe

I’m so fucking proud

I can’t believe it

I can

You’re a goddamn rockstar

I just keep staring at the document like, I don’t know even

Like it’s all going to disappear

It’s a mess but it exists??? I’m???

Send it to me

Don’t you have that big paper to write?

Eh. It’ll still be big a couple hours from now

That’s what she said

Walked right into that one, didn’t I?

Whoops

I’ll save it for the bus ride to Lowell

Let’s get dinner to celebrate

Can we get ramen?

Plus cupcakes

Whatever you want, baby

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