Page 111 of Oliver

Before I can decide whether I want to speak to him, Oliver opens the door.

“Penn…” Uncle Hank says before trailing off.

“Hey,” I say with a halfhearted wave.

“Um, hey. Are you feeling better?” he asks, stepping around Oliver with a cautious smile.

The reminder inspires me to look toward the kitchen. The dead guy is long gone but I shiver anyway. That’s a moment I’d like to erase from my history.

“Yeah,” I say and Hank waves toward the living room.

When Oliver follows, Hank glances at him with raised brows and I say, “This is Oliver,”

“Pleasure to meet you sir,” Oliver says, and I choke on a laugh. So polite suddenly.

“You too,” Hank says, clearing his throat. “Penny, have you thought about what we discussed?”

“Yeah, I found a few places,” I say, and his eyes brighten.

“Really? That’s great. We’ll have to clear everything out. Maybe I can hire someone—“

“I’ll do it,” I grit between my teeth.

His brows furrow and he splays his hands. “I don't think we have time. The first is in just a couple of days, Pen. We—“

“I’m helping Penny,” Oliver interjects smoothly.

“Okay,” Hank says slowly, “but there’s so little time. We need to sign a lease, pack…”

“Penny can stay with me. We’ll get everything packed and in storage by this weekend.”

My heart warms at Oliver’s intervention but even I’m skeptical of the task before us. This weekend is in two days. Besides, if he means Ramsay’s place, I’m not too keen on the idea.

Still, I’ll play along if it means getting Hank to go.

“Well, okay. If you’re sure,” he says dubiously, and I nod.

With that we say our goodbyes and I turn to Oliver as he says, “I’ve got to go. Stay here. Do not leave. Diem and Maeve are on their way.”

My jaw drops but before I can protest, he kisses me swiftly and stalks out the door.

Grumbling under my breath, I shut the door and turn, staring at the twenty years of shit, Oliver just volunteered to pack, before leaving altogether.

Sigh.

Chapter 34

Are you truly missing if you don’t want to be found?

Penny

I’m in the garage, sorting through shit when I hear a vehicle pull up. When I peek through the side door, I find Diem, Maeve, Willow, and Ramsay exiting Ramsay’s fancy ass SUV.

With a sigh, because I’m in no mood for Ramsay, I wave them through the door.

Diem cracks his knuckles and looks around while Maeve moves in for a hug.

“Hey,” she says.

---