Page 170 of If Our Hearts Collide

“He gets off work around three. Then he showers and with travel, that tacks on another hour. And that’s assuming he doesn’t crash at a coworker’s place, which he’s already done about sixty percent of the time.”

“Oh, my goodness.” Kicking her feet up the wall, she looks like she is doing Pilates while staring at me from the floor. “Do you hear yourself? Your stalker tendencies have no boundaries.”

Call me crazy, but when Penny hurls insults, I find it cute.

“Stay at my place.”

“No.”

“Make good choices, Penny.”

“Just use the key you had made and let me inside my place.”

I look away to hide my smirk. “I forgot to bring it.”

She rolls her eyes and then ignores my hand in offering, getting up unassisted like a deer learning to stand.

“I will just walk to Nic and Claire’s place and sleep in the guest room.”

“It’s after midnight.”

“So?”

“I’m pretty sure your brother—no matter which one you turn to—will lock you up forever with an outfit like you’re wearing.” I wait for that to sink in to her drunken head. “You are staying with me.”

“Don’t you have some place to be or some work to do to occupy your time?”

“You are my work, Penny.”

Realization lights up her face. Has she really forgotten my role in this whole chaotic madness?

“But, my stuff…”

She knows that I’m equipped to offer her comfort. It’s not the first time she’s spent the night at my place. I open up my hand and motion for her to walk to the elevators. There’s no point hashing something out where there’s only one real logical option.

“I need to get my phone and purse,” she pleads.

“I’ll have someone retrieve them.” I don’t tell her that I basically have her items in my possession. Chris retrieved them and texted me during the drive here that he has them. I need her with me tonight to make sure we hash out our issues once and for all. The best way to do that is to be forced to spend time together in close proximity. If she gets her phone and keys back, then I have no reason but to let her go. “But until then, we are going to go to my place.”

“So bossy,” she says, a bit higher pitch than her normal angry tone.

“So insubordinate.”

Penny playfully smacks me on the arm. “Keep it up, and I will run again.”

Anger sizzles under my skin. She better damn well never run from me again. “Keep it up, and I will haul your ass over my shoulder and never let you leave.”

Her body goes rigid as she stares at me, searching for sincerity in my words. “You wouldn’t,” she snarls, placing her hands on her hips.

The front panel of the rain jacket pops open, showing me ample view of her cleavage. I swallow hard as I take in her stance, the way her breathing seems to pick up, and how her fingers curl and uncurl at her sides. Her long blonde hair is sticking to her neck, with some tucked into the collar of thejacket. She is beautifully disheveled—a chaotic force I have no power in stopping.

“I would,” I deadpan.

Her eyes twitch as she studies me, hopefully finding zero ounce of flexibility. Her safety matters to me most, and the reckless way she continues to go about her life is proof that she needs a keeper.

“Lead the way to your place, caveman.”

Penny and I walk to the elevators, enter when the doors open, and then remain silent until we exit onto my floor. Since the last time Penny stayed at my place, I decided to be a bit more prepared this go-round—just in case.

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