Page 16 of Unbreakable Love

Bryce and I were swallowed up by his friends near the front of the bar. I typically didn’t like hanging out with them. They were too young, too naïve. Still too much in the chasing women mode and not near close enough to slowing or settling down. They didn’t only make me feel too damn old, but far out of place. The only reason I stayed was because at this spot in the bar, I couldn’t see Penny and as soon as Bryce saw her, all he’d wanted to do was talk about her, too.

I was, however, able to see when Faye headed toward the door, Dolly next to her. I assumed Penny was right behind them, and for the second time when I saw her in as many days, I was moving before my brain reminded me it was probably a bad idea.

“I’m going to take off.”

“Already?” Bryce asked.

“You good to get home?”

“If not, I’ll stagger to your place. Key code still the same?”

“Yeah. But don’t fall over the dining table again and wake me up.”

He chuckled and swayed slightly on his feet. I resisted the urge to go into dad mode. He was twenty-one and responsible. He was old enough to take care of himself and if not, he had the money to pay bail and a phone to call Dad.

“See you later then.” I clapped him on the shoulder and said goodbye to his friends, and by the time I shoved through the doors, Faye was standing on the corner, huddled up with a coat and talking to Penny.

Her back was to me, but Faye caught my eye and smiled. “Hey, Gavin.”

“Hey, Faye. Have fun tonight?”

“Always. You?”

“Sure.”

It hadn’t been bad, but my idea of fun wasn’t falling on your ass wasted. Not when I had a daughter to take care of. No way in hell would that be how she remembered me.

Penny turned slowly, back straight, hesitation in her eyes. Probably my fault considering I hadn’t been all that nice to her. “Hi, Mr. Kelley.”

“Gavin is fine. Mr. Kelley makes me feel like my dad.”

“Your timing is perfect,” Faye chimed in. The smile on her face made me squirm.

“I am?”

“Yep. I was trying to convince Penny I can drive her home, but she’s insisting on walking.”

“It’s fine?—”

“I can walk her home.”

“You don’t have to.” There was a bite to her tone. So the sweet little Penny Pesco had some claws. When I glanced at her, she wore an adorable scowl. Both made her more attractive, and neither should have been things I noticed.

“I know.”

“See?” Faye clapped her hands together. “Perfect. Enjoy the rest of your weekend, you two! See you Monday, Penny!”

She skipped around the corner and was gone in a blink. I turned to Penny, who had her shoulders hunched up to her ears and was blowing on her hands.

“You’re good to walk?” I asked her.

“I don’t drink, so yeah.”

Huh. “Okay.”

I stepped to the corner and didn’t hear movement behind me. I turned back and Penny was still standing in the same spot, looking toward the gazebo and it’s twinkling lights.

“You coming?”

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