Page 78 of Regrets

I smile, liking this side of her. “That’s great. What are you going to do though?”

“Interior design. I’ve always loved that. And so did you. We can do it. I snuck some classes in, and I’ll pay for you to go to school out there for that. I know you’re bored to tears here. We’ll get you on the fast-track to something you love.”

Suddenly, it feels like I’m suffocating as I stand up, my hand covering my throat. “What? No. I can’t leave.”

“Why? What the hell is here for you anymore?”

My eyes involuntarily drift down the hall to where Linc is taking a shower and then move back to Lola’s knowing eyes. “It could be great, Penelope. You can find out who you are without either of the Sterling brothers. We can build a business together and live near the ocean.”

I’m struggling to take a breath, hating how good that sounds to me and how intensely terrifying it is. “I can’t leave, Lola.”

“Look, I know you love him, and if you’re ready to be with him, and I mean really ready, then I’m all for it. Stay here, love him deeply and be together. But if there’s doubt there, if you’re lost and just hurting each other over and over, come with me. Give yourselves the break. Build a new life and learn to move on from all of it.”

I take a seat on the couch, clutching my throat, fighting the inevitable tears as she sits next to me, hugging me to her side.

“Just think about it.”

I nod dumbly, and she stands up, straightening her skirt and lifting her chin. “I’m going to go quit my job. I’ll call you later.”

“Okay.” I smile at her through tears. “Good luck.”

She nods toward the hall and then back at me, a sure smile on her face. “You too.”

I look down the hall of what has become my home, whether Linc or I meant it to be or not, and feel a chill.

I’m going to need more than luck.

42

LINC

Ihear P open the bathroom door and look over in time to see her strip her shirt off over her head and climb in with me.

Her face has an expression I don’t recognize as she puts her hands under my arms, holding onto me and pressing her body to mine, laying her head on my chest as the water sprays over us.

I place my hand flat on the tile, bracing us as she holds onto me, and I know something is very wrong.

“P, what’s the matter?”

I lean my chin down on her shoulder and hold onto her, feeling her pulling away from me even as she clings tightly.

“I have to go, Linc.”

I lift my head, and she does the same, looking me in the eyes. “Go where?”

“California. Maybe. Somewhere. Anywhere but here.”

“What the hell are you talking about?”What is going on?

“Lola is quitting her job and moving away. She wants me to go with her.”

I stare at her, raising one eyebrow in disbelief as I try to process what she’s telling me. “What the fuck? Are you in love with my sister now?”

She shoves my chest backward slightly, and I recover fast. “Unfortunately, I only like dick.”

“You sure?”

She shakes her head at me, the smile on her face painfully beautiful. “I need to go. She’s right. I’m not ready for whatever this is between us. I need to figure things out, and so do you.”

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