Page 33 of In For a Penny
“Oliver,” I start. “I get that it came from a good place, but Ineedyou to understand thatnothingis going on between the two of us. I think he might have thought that I was into him, and that’s why he was freaking out, because he doesn’t like me that way. The problem here is that we are both very close, and maybe he’s not used to it. And for me, trusting someone emotionally the way I have been trusting him so soon after my breakup hasn’t been easy. So maybe that’s what you’ve seen lately.”
Oliver stares down at me with a concerned expression on his face.
“I don’t think that’s what it is, Penny. I think both of you need to look at what’s happening and realize that you have feelings for each other.”
I sigh and start walking again, Oliver falling quickly into stride with me.
“No, Oliver. And even if thatweretrue, even if we did have feelings for each other—which we don’t,” I quickly clarify once again, “I am nowhere near close to being emotionally ready to be in a relationship right now. I just want to have fun and relax and for my life to remain uncomplicated.”
“Okay…” He takes a deep breath. “Are you going to kill Jane and me?”
I laugh as we continue to weave our way through the crowd, my stomach growling as we near the food stalls and can smell the delicious gastronomical experience that awaits us. (Have I mentioned that I look forward to this sandwich every week?)
“I want to.” I take his hand and look up at him. He is pretty tall. “I mean, Idefinitelywant to because there were times yesterday on our trip where I would have been able to rank certain moments in the top ten most awkward situations of my life, but no. I get what you guys were doing. It was fucked up and very manipulative, but I get it. It came from a place of love.”
“So, nothing is going on with you two?”
“No,” I say firmly, meaning it. I’m honestly not surewhatis going on between the two of us, but it’s nothing that I want to pursue. So for all intents and purposes, no, nothing is going on.
He smiles. “So, I can keep trying to sleep you?”
I roll my eyes at him, laugh-groaning. “Way to ruin a beautiful moment, you ass!”
He smirks at me, and I pull him faster by the hand through the crowds. “Come on, weirdo. I need food now!” I yell over my shoulder, my stomach growling.
