Page 64 of Someone You Deserve

“He is for now. I have an online appointment with a therapist for him this week. I think it’s important for him to start talking to someone as these situations and feelings start to rise to the surface as he gets older.”

“I think that’s smart. I wish I had gone to therapy sooner,” Willow agrees. “You’re doing the right thing for him, Astrid.”

“I hope so. But this is just another reason Penn and I shouldn’t get involved. He’s such a huge part of my kids’ lives, Willow. If something happened and they lost him too…”

“What is it that you’re keeping from him, Astrid?”

I shake my head and whisper, “Now isn’t the time to discuss it, Willow.”

“Okay... But regardless, I can’t see why you two don’t belong together. I mean, anyone with two eyes and two ears in this town can see how much you two care about each other.”

“But is it worth the risk?” I say quietly, mostly to myself.

Willow picks up on it, of course. “I think so.”

“You’re just saying that because you’re in love and it’s new. Try throwing a couple kids in the mix along with a dead husband and his best friend. Then come talk to me.”

Willow laughs. “Well, why don’t you talk to me about it and I can help you see reason? I can come by tomorrow morning sometime. I’d suggest tonight, but the team party is after this, right?”

A whistle rings out on the field as the referee calls a foul on our team. “Yeah.”

“Then it’s a date.”

“You mean like the one I never ended up going on?”

Willow bumps her shoulder against mine. “You and I both know you never wanted to go out with Dick.”

“I know.”

“So don’t stress about it.”

“He wants to reschedule, though.”

“Well, if he tries to, just let him down gently. You’re good at dealing with people, Astrid. I mean, hell…you got me to open up.”

Her comment makes me chuckle, but the truth is I know she’s right on some level. I am good with people. It’s never been an issue for me.

But dealing with Penn after our choices last night? That is something I have absolutely no experience with whatsoever.

***

“To the under twelve champions!” Dallas shouts in Perky’s Pizza, a local pizza joint that is always the hot spot for team get-togethers. I remember having my own team parties at this place when I was a kid. That’s how long it’s been around.

All the boys holler loudly, rattling the old walls.

“This season has been one of a kind,” Penn says, echoing Dallas’s sentiment. He’s barely made eye contact with me all night, so I still haven’t been able to get a read on him. “I think I speak for my brother too when I say that coaching this group of boys has been an honor and a privilege. And we know that none of this would be possible without the support of the parents. So let’s give the parents a round of applause!” Penn claps his hands together loudly as the boys join in. Bentley claps his hands right in my face, making me laugh. And when I look up, Penn’s eyes lock on mine and he winks.

A flash of heat travels all the way through my body.

From a wink.

God, I’m in trouble.

“I wish there was a way to keep this crew together every season, but we will always remember this team as champions. Now let’s party!” Dallas pumps a fist in the air as the boys rush him and Penn for their free tokens—and when I say free, I mean the brothers bought tokens for all the boys to be able to play games.

Yet another reason why Penn is just simply irresistible—his generous heart.

“Mommy, can I have tokens too, please?” Lilly turns to me, bouncing in her chair.

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