Page 96 of The Games We Play
About two hours earlier, she’d run into my office and returned with a deck of cards. Since then, she and Harry had been in a heated battle of slapjack, drawing in the attention of a few locals and even Dudley, who cheered from the sidelines. It was the kind of spontaneous joy only Penny could bring into a room.
As Harry stood from his stool, he leaned over and pressed a quick, gentlemanly kiss to Penny’s cheek.
“This was fun,” he said, his grin warm. “Should we do it again?”
Penny extended her hand, meeting him with a firm shake. “You’ve got yourself a deal.”
After closing the tab, I returned and grabbed a bar towel from my back pocket, wiping down the damp rings the glasses left behind.
“Can I do anything to help?” Penny asked, her voice softer now, but still laced with that bubbly energy.
I glanced around. The bar had emptied, save for a few lingering regulars making their way out. Dudley was almost done settling up the last checks. The music softened to background static, and the steady buzz of conversation had finally quieted.
“You can lock the door,” I said with a smile. “Not much left to do at this point.”
With a sparkle in her eye, Penny hopped down from her stool and dashed to the door. She held it open for the last few guests, sending them off with bright goodbyes and that signature Penny warmth that made people feel like they mattered.
Dudley appeared beside me, dragging his own towel along the bar. “Why don’t I handle clean-up?” he offered. “You should walk her home… or at least take her upstairs.”
I raised a brow. “She’s not that bad.”
“I didn’t mean she was,” Dudley said, glancing in her direction with a knowing smirk. “I meant you should spend the time with her.”
I paused, watching her laugh with the last straggler on their way out. Her hair bounced over her shoulders, those beachy waves swaying as she turned back inside. The soft flush on her cheeks, the sparkle in her eyes, the way she moved like the whole world was still full of magic…
Maybe taking her upstairs—if she was willing—wasn’t such a bad idea after all. Like Dudley said, we could spend time together. Real time. Quiet time. Just… us.
I nodded, tossed the towel on the counter, and clapped Dudley on the shoulder.
“Lock up behind yourself after you’re done.”
Dudley gave a lazy salute and turned, gathering the last few glasses and heading for the back.
Penny came skipping up to the bar, light on her feet and glowing from the whiskey and whatever thrill she’d gotten from absolutely demolishing Harry at slapjack. She stopped short, her gaze playful, curious.
“Now what?”
I leaned my elbows on the bar, keeping my voice easy.
“Want to head upstairs… or should I walk you home?”
I asked like it didn’t matter. Like I’d be fine either way. But it wasn’t true. I wanted her to choose upstairs because walking her home meant goodbye. It meant distance. If I got her upstairs, even just for a while, it would mean time.
Her smile wavered. Not gone—but flickering like a candle in the wind. I could see the conflict in her eyes, the way they danced like she was flipping through every version of what this night could become.
I didn’t say anything else. Didn’t push.
Then, finally, she breathed out, almost like surrender, and said the words that lit me up like a goddamn Christmas tree.
“Let’s go upstairs.”
I tried not to react too quickly, but relief and desire surged through me as I rounded the bar. She met me at the end, her eyes a little softer now, a little more open.
“You want to grab your stuff now or later?” I asked.
“Later,” she said with a smile that made my chest tighten.
I held out my hand, not sure if she’d take it, but I hoped she would.
