Page 63 of Lodged

“Yeah, I know. River is super protective of all of us. I know he means well, but I’m not a kid anymore.” He tells me as he blushes again.

We continue to chat about school and expectations in the lab while we finish our coffees. Tonight, I need to start working on a plan to go to Azalea Creek and find some answers.

Gio: Hey, friend, do you have time to chat tonight?

Penny: We really need to stop doing this.

Gio: Doing what?

Penny: Getting together only when you need a favor.

Gio: What? I would never.

Penny: Ha! Good to know your humor is back, at least.

Gio: I’m sorry. I know I need to be a better friend.

Penny: Do you want to come over?

Gio: I feel like eating out. Glenwood Avenue?

Penny: Heck, yes! See you at Maria’s at eight.

I hate not being there for Penny lately, but I’m thankful she understands. I can’t think of anyone more capable of helping me come up with a plan to save Azalea Creek from evil investors.

“Hey ,stranger.” Penny greets me as she kisses me on the cheek.

“Hey.” I give her a hug and say, “I’m sorry I’ve been a crappy friend.”

“I forgive you. I know I’d be a mess, too, if the love of my life vanished.” I wince at her words— it’s time I tell Penny everything.

“I’m sorry, you know I don’t sugarcoat anything. And even though I didn’t meet Ruin personally, I know what she meant for you.” I smile at her, and we make our way inside Maria’s. It’s a Cuban restaurant, and the food is to die for.

After ordering our usual—mojitos andropa viejawith black beans, rice, and plantains—Penny gives me a pointed look. “Do we need to talk about business now?” I ask, and she chuckles.

“Yes, boss. It’s best to get to it.” I nod at her and thank the waiter who just brought our mojitos.

“So, I actually found Ruin months ago,” I tell her and sip the sweet and minty drink.

“Shut up!” Penny shouts as she smacks me on the chest. I laugh at her dramatics but shake my head.

“When I went to Azalea Creek in the winter, I met with two of her siblings, and they told me she had been in an accident and was in a coma.”

Penny inhales a sharp breath. “But when you texted me you just said a lady had locked you in an office,” Penny says, and I feel like crap because I didn’t update her.

“Yeah, well, she went to get River, Ruin’s oldest brother.” Penny’s face is unreadable so I decide to continue talking. “I told them I was going to cover all of her medical bills; I wanted Ruin to have the best care possible. They agreed, and after a lot of back and forth, they let me see her in the hospital.”

Penny takes a sip of her drink, and I do the same. Reliving all those memories is as painful now as it was to live through them all those months ago.

“When I went to Ruin's room at the hospital, she woke up in a panic. The horror on her face when she saw me standing next to her—it’s a memory that has been woven into my soul.” Penny grabs my hand and gives it a little squeeze, and I give her a grateful smile before continuing. “Her doctor advised against any encounters that could upset her and hinder her recovery, so I reluctantly agreed to back away. But when Rain, her sister, contacted me to let me know she was awake, she also told me Ruin had amnesia. After consulting with the doctor, it was advised to not overwhelm her with her past.”

I close my eyes, feeling the pain those words caused me and how living without her has been hell. “I agreed to leave her be, but you won’t believe what happened today.” Penny looks at me with those big, expressive eyes of hers.

“A kid joined my lab today. He’s a freshman and wants to gain some experience in the lab before the semester starts in the fall.” I look at Penny, and her whole focus is on me, so I continue.“He’ll be shadowing me to learn the basics of working in a science lab, and I invited him to have a coffee, you know, to get to know each other better.” Penny’s eyes turn mischievous, and I immediately know what she's thinking.

“Stop it, you know what I mean.”

“I didn’t say a word,” she says, batting her eyelashes.

---