Page 53 of Someone You Deserve

“Look, despite how I feel about Dick, your kids will always come first, Astrid. Any man worthy of your time will understand that. And if he doesn’t, then he doesn’t fucking deserve you.”

“And what about you, Penn? You say you don’t have time for a relationship, but you don’t have a family or a business keeping you from having a life. From finding someone worthy ofyourtime. So what’s your excuse?”

This is it, Penn.

Now’s the time to tell her.

Lay it all on the line and take the risk.

Find out if your feelings are one-sided.

But then I think about what’s transpired today—Bentley’s fight, his breakdown, Astrid’s stress over not being there when she needed to—and I think twice.

It’s not the right time.

When I tell Astrid what I’m feeling, I don’t want it to be a rushed confession on her front lawn, made in desperation.

I don’t want it to be when she’s being pulled in ten different directions, her mind a muddled mess.

When I tell her what I’m feeling, I want her undivided attention—her energy, her focus, and those eyes locked on mine so she knows that I’m serious. So she can’t hide behind her responsibilities.

“Timing,” I finally answer.

She huffs out a laugh. “Well, I understand that one.”

“Timing is everything. And lately, I just think it’s been…off.”

“Mom! Dinner!” Lilly shouts from the door again.

“I’ll be right there!” Astrid yells back.

I start to walk backward. “Go eat. Talk to Bentley and then pour yourself a glass of wine and relax.” Then I toss her the chocolate I was holding in my hand. She catches it reflexively.

“I think I’ll need a whole bottle and about a dozen more of these after today.” She rubs her temples. “Mother of the year over here.”

“Don’t think for a second you aren’t exactly the mother that those kids need, Astrid.”

Her eyes lift to mine, tears threatening to spill over. “Thank you. For everything.”

“I didn’t do anything.”

She shakes her head. “You do so much, Penn. And today? You were there for Bentley in a way I never could be.”

“And I always will be. No matter what.” I take another step toward my truck. “Go eat.”

“I’ll see you tomorrow night at the bakery for the floors?”

“Yup, I’ll be there.”

“Good night, Penn.”

“Good night, Astrid,” I say as I hop in my truck. As I drive away and watch Astrid fade in my rearview mirror, I’m not really sure where I’m headed, but I’m content knowing I was able to be there for Bentley today when he needed me the most.

Chapter eight

Astrid

“Thank you, Tanya.” My assistant moves around me, sliding a brand-new tray of fresh muffins into the stunning new display cases that Penn installed last Sunday.

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