Page 64 of If Our Hearts Collide

“You are so annoying.”

“So are you,” I yell back with equal passion.

I continue driving Penny toward the apartment complex, not because I want to drop her off at some dude’s place, but because I know she’ll get there one way or another. At least if I break his hands or nose, then a trip to the ER will slow down this roller coaster’s trip into the bedroom that Penny is so determined to ride on.

We drive in silence the remaining fifteen minutes, when I pull up to the Sky View parking garage entrance.

“You don’t need to park, Collins. I can just hop out.”

“I’m not just dropping you off, Penny. I know that but so do you.”

She pulls out a tube of pepper spray from her bag. “I have protection.”

How often has she been hanging around Angie? They both have delusions when it comes to protection. I let out all the air from my lungs. “In real danger, that wouldn’t do anything but just aggravate the perpetrator. That’s assuming you can get the safety cap off in time and not drop it on the floor for him to grab and use against you.”

“Wow. You have little confidence in me.”

If Penny knows what’s good for her, she will put her pouting lip back in its original location. I don’t have time for my fantasies to run wild right now—fantasies I’m going to go to hell for inevitably.

“Just sharing another perspective, that’s all.”

I think back to some of the poker nights where Graham shared how he discovered Angie carrying pepper spray early on in their relationship. I think he found it cute at the time.

I don’t find this cute at all.

Penny is being irresponsible.

“Well, this is just backup until I can learn how to shoot a gun.”

I can’t contain my exaggerated sigh. “Learning how to shoot and actually carrying a weapon are two different things. I can teach you how to shoot. However, you will need a license and a permit to carry within the city limits.”

And quite frankly, I’m pretty sure her stay at Soulful Mind disqualifies her in the state of Oregon. I’m hoping I don’t have to research any of that and Penny just changes her mind.

“I would really like one to be in a lockbox in my bedroom. Like in a nightstand drawer or something.”

I nod. I’m relieved she didn’t say under her pillow.

It makes sense. Although, I worry over someone else finding the weapon. Being able to use a gun during a crisis requires quick thinking. Penny’s trauma at the hands of Mark is probably spurring her need to feel safe.

And I want to foster that sense of safety in her.

“How about we start with some basic self-defense moves?”

“Taught by who?”

“Me.”

“And you trust me not to use them against you when I get angry?”

“I trust you to try.”

“But you don’t think I’ll actually do any damage?”

I clear my throat. “Self-defense is less about damage and more about escaping the threat. So if you go into any lesson hoping to learn street fighting skills, then maybe self-defense isn’t for you.”

“Fine.” She exaggerates the one-syllable into three. “I’ll try it.”

My lips curl up over her agreeableness, which is rare for her.

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