Page 49 of If Our Hearts Collide

The thing is, I’m a grown-ass woman who is trying desperately to hold on to my own decision-making capabilities. The fact that he’s struggling to see this is what irks me the most.

We walk through the main entrance, and I allow Collins to take the lead. Surely that will cheer him up. I’ve been here several times before, so when we end up in the Strolling Pond Garden, I’m thrilled to be at one of my favorite places here.

Our pace slows as Collins slides his hand along the rail bordering the path. While he’s not verbally expressing his thoughts, I can see that he’s visibly distressed—as am I. The garden might represent peace and tranquility, but I feel everything but those things.

“I take my job very seriously, Penelope,” he states directly, reminding me yet again of the formal name I despise hearing.

We continue our annoyingly gentle stroll, pass over the Moon Bridge, and then through the irises. He keeps his gaze forward.

I stop the walk, turning to look Collins straight in the eyes.

“I imagine you do,” I comment, “but I’m not going to budge on moving forward with my goals. So, no matter what you or my brothers say, I’m not going to back down. I’ve wasted too much time already.”

His lips flatten into a pensive line. “Taking care of yourself is not a waste of time.”

I bite my bottom lip that seems to want to quiver. “Fair enough. But that doesn’t change my determination to move on to a new chapter in my life.”

He gives a single nod, glancing off into the forest of trees. “Fine.”

“I just hope it isn’t a chapter that ends in tragedy.”

“It won’t if you just trust me.”

I soak in my surroundings. It really is magical here. The special thing about the Japanese Garden is that everything here is intentional and beautiful. It is majestic, yet not overdone. It’s easy to get lost here and still remain on the path, while thoughts drift into the serenity.

“It’s not that I don’t trust you, Collins.”

“Then let’s set some ground rules.”

I lean my butt against a handrail, crossing my feet at my ankles as my mind races with all of the possibilities. Collins has obviously given this some thought already for him to suggest it in the first place. And by the rigidness of his jaw and the way his back is in perfect alignment, I’m guessing this meeting will be less of a negotiation and more of a ruse to get me to comply.

So, out of pure curiosity, I entertain his train of thought. “And what might those be?”

His posture relaxes. “I become your official driver.”

“No.”

“No?” His nose twitches, as I veto the first of his demands.

“That’s weird.”

“Weird?”

Did he really think I would make this whole thing easy?

“Yeah,” I answer.

“Please explain,” he grinds out between clenched teeth.

When I’m reluctant to provide a valid explanation, he raises an irritated eyebrow at me—relaunching my self-preservation skills. He isn’t going to let me off the hook with this one,that much is clear. Anxiety forms in the pit of my stomach, multiplying and spreading outward. My teeth gnaw at the inner liner of my mouth, as I teeter on my heels.

Crossing my arms at my chest, I let out a sigh. “Fine. For starters, I’m going to be living in the city. So, I will either walk, get a taxi, pass my driver’s test, or hitchhike with some stranger.”

“Penny, I don’t?—”

“Oh my goodness…” I toss my hands into the air. “The last part is a joke. Chill.”

He looks so confused. “A joke?”

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