Page 76 of Love is a Game

Her warm smile radiates into my chest. And I can’t resist the silky strand of hair caressing her cheekbone. I hook it around my finger and reel her closer. Her face tilts upward, her eyes, golden amber brown, drag me into their liquid depths.

As her lips part, I slide my fingers under her jacket to the silk blouse beneath. Now I’m fully awake and ready for action.

But no. She slips from my grasp.

“Don’t—” She teases. “You’ll spoil my outfit. Go get dressed!”

I inhale coffee as I get ready, and I’m done in fifteen, pulling my suit together as I cross the lawn back to Pen’s.

Adjusting my cuffs, I glance up just as a blue Ford truck rolls in beside her rental.

It idles. Seconds pass. Then the driver’s door creaks open.

A man climbs out. Middle-aged, wiry build, dark hair streaked with silver. He hesitates on the porch, hands flexing at his sides, before knocking in quick succession.

Then he steps back and pulls off his sunglasses.

I reach the steps just as Pen opens the door, catching the second her hesitant smile fades.

Stark, unguarded shock registers on her face.

Her reaction propels me onto the porch, where I size up the stranger wringing his hands, his throat working as he stares at Pen.

“Dad?” Her voice catches.

The word slams into me.

Her dad?

The man exhales sharply, like hearing it out loud winds him.

“Penny—” His voice is rough, his eyes tracing over her. “My god, look at you.”

Pen doesn’t move. Doesn’t say a word.

He steps forward, and I match him, shifting closer to her. Not touching, not interfering. Just needing her to know I’m here.

His gaze flicks to me, registers something. “You her guy?”

I glance at Pen. Nod.

He holds out a hand. “I’m Sean. Penny’s father.”

I take it, brief and firm. “Tuck Allen.”

His eyes are dark like Pen’s. But with haunted depths. Like, life hasn’t been easy.

Then he returns his attention to her.

Pen releases her grip on the door, tension easing just a notch.

“I, uh—I heard about Caitlyn.” His gaze drifts past her, into the hallway, like he expects to see someone. “Goddamn, this house looks the same as when I was a teenager.”

Pen’s jaw tenses. “Why are you here?”

His throat bobs. “Someone sent me the funeral notice. Damn, I couldn’t believe it.”

He drops his head, shifting his weight. “I came to pay my respects, but the thing is—” He exhales slowly, as if gathering strength. “I got into town, and all the memories hit me. It’s…overwhelming. And I’m not sure I can do it, you know? The funeral and all? I think I just want to remember Caitlyn as she was. But I wanted to at least see you, Penny. Say how sorry—”

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