Page 100 of Unbreakable Love

I chuckled and scooped out an extra helping of ice cream for the birthday girl.

“Oh,” Penny said, “well, that’s very nice, and I’ll think about that for sure. I don’t know Maize’s plans yet, and maybe you should ask Grandma first.”

“I know what she’ll say,” Josie boldly declared. “She’ll say the more the merrier and that of course you can come.”

I slid two bowls in their direction and nodded. “She will say that, won’t she, Josie?”

Penny shook her head, delight and exasperation making her eyes sparkle as she rolled her eyes at both of us. “Okay then, I’ll consider it, but can we do something else first?”

“Sure!”

She leaned in close to Josie, smiling softly down at my daughter in a way that made my heart burst out of my chest. I wanted my daughter to have a woman look at her like that every day for the rest of her entire life. And more, I had the sudden urge to want to give Penny her own child to give that look to.

It wasn’t only stunningly beautiful, it was full of grace and kindness. It was the kind of smile she’d deserved to have. It was a gift, and there was nothing better than Josie watching Penny with childlike wonder and awe.

“How about, when we’re outside of school, and when I’m with your dad especially, you just call me Penny like he does?”

“I can?” Josie breathed in the question on a massive inhale. “Really? Daddy never lets me call people by their first name.”

She glanced at me, needing permission.

“Penny’s different,” I told her.

And while I hoped my daughter understood what that meant, I hoped Penny knew it more.

Based on the blush on her cheeks as she looked away from me, I’d made it clear.

“I should go,” Penny said, where we were curled together on my couch.

Tonight, Josie gave Penny the honor of reading her a bedtime story, and Penny didn’t hesitate to be involved. While I listened to their soft giggles and laughter escape Josie’s bedroom, I cleaned up the kitchen and made Josie’s school lunch for the next day.

By the time Penny was done reading and giggling with my daughter, she returned to the living room, where I was sitting, and didn’t hesitate to curl up next to me.

“I feel like you keep giving me all these amazing things and moments, and I don’t know how to thank you for them.”

“Keep looking at me with that smile on your face when you receive them and it’s the only thanks I need.” I leaned down and kissed her, but since Josie wasn’t asleep, we didn’t push it further than that. Besides, we’d have more time, and the first time she spent the night I wanted us to have that time alone, not with Josie down the hall.

“Avery told Josie today that her birthday present to her is a sleepover, so if you’re up for company tomorrow night, want me to come over?”

“Like the whole night?”

“The whole night.”

“A sleepover of our very own,” Penny said and brushed her hand down my cheek.

She was right. And so very wrong. “I doubt there’ll be a lot of sleeping going on.”

I kissed away her laughter, kept kissing her until I needed more. And when I let her go, she sighed softly against my mouth. “I like you a lot, Gavin Kelley, and I hope you know that.”

“Trust me, Penelope Pesco. I feel the exact same way.”

But I wasn’t sure it was like I was feeling anymore.

It was starting to feel a whole more like love.

I was on the jobsite the next day, supervising the installation of air ducts when my phone rang.

Cameron’s name flashed on the screen, and I stepped away from the noise so I could answer it.

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