Page 32 of Just Bromantically Invested

“You’ve never been on one.”

“Because I don’t want to go through the awkwardness.”

I understand where he’s coming from, but if he wants to find someone, it’s something he’s going to have to get over. “You know Marissa. We did her front garden last summer. She lives in George Park District, a few blocks back from Bertha.”

“I vaguelyknewMarissa in a professional capacity.”

“But that already gives you a talking point.”

“Madden, I?—”

“You said I could help,” I remind him. And maybe if I get this moving and it’s with someone I like, it’ll be that much easier to accept.

Penn spins his bottle around and around in his hands. It’s something he does when he’s anxious, and I totally get why he might be apprehensive about this, but I don’t want him to be. I want to make everything easy.

“Hey.” I reach out, pluck the bottle from him, and take his hand instead. “What are you so afraid of?”

“Nothing, I’m just not so sure I want to dat?—”

“But it will solve your problem.”

“Maybe, or?—”

I don’t let him finish that thought either. Penn has a tendency to get in his head about things, and I can’t let this be one of those times. He needs this. And so do I. “There’s nothing for you to stress about. I’ve got it all worked out.”

“And do I get a say?”

“Of course you do. I just said we’ll narrow down my list.”

“Right.”

“You’re a very attractive man with so many options.”

“Okay.”

“Aren’t you excited?”

“Well—"

“Wait a minute,” Lana says, interrupting our moment. “What do you mean that Penn struck out with me?”

“You guys didn’t hit it off. Obviously.”

Her eyes widen, and she turns to Penn. “You didn’t tell him?”

“I didn’t know if I could.”

“Tell me what?” Neither of them answers. “Feeling left out over here.”

Lana looks from me, to Penn, and back to me again. Then she reaches for Penn’s free hand. “We’re together.”

Chapter 12

Penn

I think I’ve swallowed my Adam’s apple. Together?

Madden’s gaze drops to the counter, pointedly not looking at us after apparently putting his foot in it, and I shoot Lana awhat the fucklook, and she shoots back adon’t ask me I’m covering for you hereone.

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