Page 25 of If Our Hearts Collide

“That’s a good one,” his older brother agrees.

I nod in agreement. Penny is most definitely all of those things.

Taking a glance at the pool, I watch as Penny climbs onto a huge rainbow unicorn float and then reclines into a relaxing position in the fleeting rays of the setting sun.

Her alabaster skin is now a golden tone. I really hope she remembered to put on sunscreen even though it is evening. Her complexion is prone to burning easily.

“I’ll run background checks on the landlord, as well as try to get a list of all of the current tenants for the building whenever she decides to officially take the leap.” I imagine it’ll take a month or so for the unit to be move-in ready. “Is it clear if she’ll have roommates or not?”

“I know she’ll have at least one,” Nic says flatly. “Spending all that time alone in her room at Soulful Mind is probably making her crave social interaction. I can only hope she finds someone who meshes well with her. Girls can be so petty.”

If her roommate turns out to be the spawn of Satan, protecting her will be much more difficult. I can keep her safe physically. However, the emotional toll that females can cause to each other can be even more damaging, with lifelong effects. I can only hope Penny gets matched with someone who is good for her and good to her.

“Oh, I know just how much too,” Graham says with a sigh, probably thinking about his past with his ex. “Just be prepared for anything.”

“I always am.”

“I appreciate it, man,” the eldest Hoffman brother says, patting me on my back. “I know Penny is in good hands.”

“Agree,” Nic says. “My hands are full with Claire and the arrival of our baby. It helps to know that I don’t have to worry about Penny, on top of all this added stress.”

I swallow down the lump in my throat. If I’m going to do my job, I need to get over this infatuation. The best way to do that is to fulfill my desires through other methods. I need to overindulge and get my deprivation sorted out. Maybe if I can get my rocks off with some unattached sex, I’ll be able to maintain the professionalism that my day job requires. Getting too close to the subject I’m trying to protect will only lead to trouble.

In this very moment, I could use a bit of a release of the adrenaline running through my nervous system.

The sound of clinking glass echoes from across the pool, making everyone turn their attention to Donna, as she wheels in the decorated cart of gifts that were collected upon entry into the house. “It’s present time.”

I see mine resting along the side, and I feel the uncertainty flutter into my stomach, wondering if I missed the mark.

It is such a foreign feeling. I’m usually confident in most decision-making. Maybe I’m just wanting Penny to feel special today. She has a lot to celebrate. I think we all feel the pressure to make her day memorable.

The girls exit the pool and dry off, wrapping themselves just in towels and taking seats around a gas fire pit table. Graham claims his woman, circling his arms around her. Nic hugs Claire to his chest. I take the solo chair opposite the love seats and anxiously wait for my gift to be opened.

“This is from your mother and me,” Germain says, passing Penny her first gift. It is a huge silver gift bag, overflowing with tissue paper.

Penny digs inside and pulls out a designer handbag that is a pastel shade of pink. She turns it over in her hands, a huge smile brightening her entire face.

“Thank you so much. It’s beautiful. I love it.”

“Of course,” Donna says with pride.

“And my favorite color.”

“Like we could forget,” Germain says with a laugh.

There was a time when Penny opted to wear only darker colors—never pastel. I think as she healed, her trauma response was to wear colors to outwardly express her mood.

I have to say though, these softer colors look gorgeous on her. She’s as sweet as cotton candy, and it makes me happy to see her this content.

“Open ours next.” Claire bounces with anticipation. “It’s actually from Angie and me.”

“Oh fun,” Penny says, lifting off the huge lid of the gift box. “Wow.” She peers inside the box. “This is too expensive.”

“Our men are made of money.” Angie laughs, making us all join in. Graham tickles her, nearly causing her to bounce off his lap.

“Well, show us,” Donna demands, bubbling over with anticipation.

Penny holds up a pair of ice skates, jazzed out with pink glitter. “How did you know I wanted to…” Her eyes turn from excited to confused to livid, as she looks between both of her brothers with her finger pointing.

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