Page 64 of Lucky Penny
“I think that’s what it’s like…” I pause, wondering how she’ll react if I say what’s really on my mind.
Butscrew it, I’m done dancing around the truth with her.
That’s what I came back for, didn’t I?
“I think that’s what it’s like when you’re seeing someone for the first time in a long time.” I finish my thought, and she tilts her head side to side.
A song comes on the radio, interrupting us. It’s an angst-filled love song by an old emo band I haven’t heard in forever. Penny quickly reaches out to change it, but I grab her hand.
“Keep it, I like this song.”
She pulls her hand back, fingers wrapping around the steering wheel tightly, like I stung her.
I stretch back, avoiding touching her, desperately needing more leg room in this tiny car. Testing if she’ll listen to me, I turn up the stereo a notch and glance over at her.
Penny’s hair isn’t sleek and styled like it was when she first got here earlier this week. It’s wavy and wild, cascading down her back, like how she used to wear it when we were teenagers. Like she just got off the beach. Or like I just finished running my hands through it.
“Why’d you go to turn it off anyway?” I inquire, and her pale cheeks redden as she whips the car sharply into a parking lot.
Yeah, I should’ve driven.
“I didn’t want to hear it,” she replies promptly, parking roughly between two spots and turning toward me.
I crack a small laugh and lean my head back, peering at her. “Or was it because you remember when I fucked you in the backseat of your car on graduation night to this song?”
Penny’s jaw drops, and she shoves my shoulder with all her might.
“You’re unhinged!” She feigns offense, as if she doesn’t have a much dirtier mind and mouth. She might fool everyone with her sweet appearance and wardrobe of pink, but I know the real Penny.
“I’m just wondering.” I shrug, unable to hide my cocky smirk. “I mean, that’s what I think about when I hear it.”
A little grunt sounds from her, her lips pursing as she fidgets with her seatbelt.
I give her five seconds to come up with an insult to hurl back at me, but she remains flustered. Out of mercy, I crawl out of this tiny vehicle.
Penny steps out, too, and the tiniest scowl remains on those pink pouty lips.
“Don’t make me regret inviting you along for my errands,” she says, pointedly looking at me over the top of her toy-sized car.
I glance up to see that we’re at a store called Sunshine Baby. “I think I’m the one who might be regretting saying yes.”
Penny rounds the car to grab my arm roughly, her touch startling me. “Let’s go. I want to see if they have a crib.”
“Wait—” I stop in my tracks, and Penny sulks, pulling on my outstretched arm. My mind short-circuits from the warmth of her hand on my wrist. “I thought you were totally against this whole Fia having a baby thing.”
“I’m notagainstit.” She pops her hip, free hand resting on it. “I simply want to make sure she is as prepared as she can be.”
“And that means…”
“It means if Fia won’t prepare, then I will do it for her. I’m going to surprise her with a crib for Christmas and a few other essentials.”
I crinkle my brow at her, still not getting it. Sounds like my stubborn girl is having a change of heart.
She huffs. “Anyway,whenI sell the house, she can take a crib with her. I’mnothelping her nest.”
“Right.” I let her continue to pull me to the front doors.
It’s like walking into a lullaby—soft music, the smell of flowers, pastel everything, and aisles lined with labels that screamorganic babyandMontessori-approved. I’m completely out of place, and from the stares I’m getting, I can’t tell if the women want to climb me or call security. Either way, I trail behind Penny like I’m on a leash.
