Page 38 of If Our Hearts Collide

I accept the penny from her hand and offer up my own smile. I welcome this shift in her mood and realize that her emotions directly affect mine.

Rotating the penny between my fingers, I marvel at how something so simple can bring someone so much joy.

I have a feeling I’m going to learn a lot from this blonde, blue-eyed girl.

With a pivot, Penny makes her way inside the Ground Floor coffee shop, in way better spirits than I’ve seen her with all morning. She is an anomaly to me. She’s a princess, yet has an edge about her that has me wondering what makes her tick at her core. I want to know what excites her and what makes her melt to become more pliable.

Because right now, Penny’s stern and rigid, determined and stubborn.

I want to exorcise her demons and get to know the real girl, hidden inside the layers of protection. She’s afraid to trust again, yet is brave enough to put herself out there anyway. That combination is exactly why she needs me. Her vulnerability will make her prey for any asshole looking for an easy target to manipulate.

I make my way back inside the SUV. Checking my phone for messages, I send a text to the lead security guard at HH, alerting him that I’ll be arriving soon with Penny in tow.

I look into the shop, seeing Penny next in line to order. She is making conversation with the young guy in front of her, who is smiling way too much not to be annoying. In a way, I’m glad I’m witnessing this normal—and seemingly innocent—interchange.

It’s realistic.

Penny is going to fall in love and hopefully find the right man. The more I keep reminding myself of that, the better it’ll be.

He’ll just have to get through me and my extensive background checks first.

Penny is the type of girl who men will flock to, but few will actually be worthy.

When I see her nearing the exit, I hop out of the SUV, circle the front, and open her door. Except she isn’t alone.

I want to ask what the other guy is doing here. I want to ignore the fact that he is helping Penny carry a package of mini pastries that could only be going to the brunch at Plus None. Nothing is out of place. Yet, I can’t calm down the gnawing feeling inside my head that everything is wrong. The whole imagery is wrong.

I accept the drinks from her hands, placing them on the hood of the car.

“Thanks, Rex,” she says, giving him a hug and then taking the box from his hands.

Rex? Who names their kid Rex? He already sounds like a dog. And not the cute and cuddly type. No. This mutt is the eager kind that begs for attention and needs a treat every time he wags his tail.

“Hope to see you at the event.”

Penny flutters her hand into the air, waving goodbye. Rex walks away, glancing back to us midstride to catch another look. Did I just witness him figuratively peeing on a tree?

Yup. Yup I did.

I feel my muscles clench and my jaw twitch. “What event?” I bark out, harsher than I initially intend.

“Oh, just a thing.”

I eye her with the expectation for her to continue. “Penny…”

“Hmm?”

“What thing?” I try again.

“Apparently the shop is closing down for one evening and doing a speed dating event.”

Sounds fucking horrible. “Sounds fun.”

She looks at me with an expression of amusement. “Oh, you’re cute.”

Huh? “What?”

She motions with her finger, up and down my body. “It’s cute when you lie.”

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