Page 84 of Oblivion

A hint of disappointment cut through her expression before the focus returned to her hair.

“Thanks. I feel so much more like myself again. Which is stupid. It’s justhair.”

I snagged her wrist when she angled away. “It’s not stupid. Not when it makes you smile like your heart is singing.”

I had no idea where that came from, but putting happiness back into Penny’s eyes made my murmured words entirely worth it.

Our gazes searched back and forth, as if expecting something monumental to happen.

“Thank you,” she whispered. “My heartissinging.”

“Well, then, that’s all that matters.”

I pulled her in for a quick hug—because I couldn’t help myself—then smiled down at her.

“Ready to roll?”

“Ready to roll,” she echoed.

Heading to her car, I made sure to guide her to the passenger side. “I’m driving us home.”

She gave me the sass I’d rapidly grown to expect. “I didn’t give you permission to drive my car.”

I snorted. I’d ridden in the back of cumbersome armored vehicles high on precarious mountain roads in both Iraq and Afghanistan, and never once had I questioned the competency of my driver. Fucking ironic that I felt just as unsafe—for differing reasons—on the streets of San Diego with Penny behind the wheel.

“Itookpermission, Lemon Drop. Can’t say I’m exactly thrilled about driving a girl’s car, but I want to get home in one piece.”

“Hey, my driving isn’t bad!”

“Considering you’re laughing while declaring that, you’re not convincing me. Besides, I experienced your driving on the way here, and I ain’t putting myself through that again.”

Opening the passenger door, I indicated for her to get in. Instead, she set her hands on her hips.

“Oh come on, you wuss. You’re really playing this up.”

I shushed her playfully, then used a firm hand to encourage her into the seat.

“Dante!” Penny exclaimed, despite laughing.

“Buckle up, jailbait.”

“Jailbait?Why am I now called jailbait?”

I ducked and leaned into her space. “Because you make me so frustrated I want to both murder you and fuck you. Either will get me into deep shit.”

Her eyes sprang wide and an incredulous laugh fell from her gaping mouth.

I shut the door while chuckling and grinning like a damn fool. When I slid behind the wheel, Penny welcomed me with a light-hearted shove.

“Look at you being all excited about driving Mini Penny.”

I gave her the driest look I could muster. “I couldn’t be anylessexcited than I am right now. Give me my truck any day over this little film canister.”

Her expression scrunched. “Film canister? What’s that?”

My jaw dropped and I gawked in disbelief. “Fuck off you don’t know what a film canister is!”

Indignation tucked her chin back. “I really don’t. What is it?”

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