Page 76 of Maybe Yours (Love & Wine)

I scoff. “Please, like most of it doesn’t involve you, too.”

Will shrugs a little, glancing over at Jack, who’s also grinning even though he doesn’t know half the shit Will and I got up to back when he and Ellen started dating and coming out to the winery.

“Maybe,” he says, his grin widening. “But there was that time you fell in the pile of manure and got covered in shit.”

“I did not fall in a pile of shit,” I reply. “You fucking pushed me, you and her,” I add, turning my glare toward Ellen, who’s sitting next to him.

She tries to hide her laugh behind a hand as she replies. “Well, it wasn’t me who took your clothes when you were cleaning up in the outside shower.”

“No.” I turn my attention to Lauren now, who’s also trying hard not to laugh. “That was someone else, wasn’t it?”

“Will dared me!” she exclaims, as though the thought had never crossed her mind.

“Sure he did,” I mutter as Pen laughs beside me.

“Did you have to do a naked run through the winery?” she asks.

“Yeah,” I say, my gaze moving from Lauren to Will and finally Ellen. “I did and of course it was right as their parents were coming out of the main building. I swear, I’ve never cupped my junk as fast as I did in that moment.”

Will bursts out laughing. “Fuck yeah, I thought El’s mom was gonna have a heart attack when she saw you.”

I smirk at him. “Yeah, no thanks to you assholes.”

“How old were you when this happened?” Pen asks.

I turn to her. “Maybe like twenty-two,” I reply with a shrug. “I mean, I’ve obviously known their parents since I was a kid, but yeah, getting busted like that was awkward as fuck.”

“Please,” Jack scoffs. “What about that impromptu buck’s party you guys organized for me, when all of us got our kit off and streaked through the grounds.”

Pen bursts out laughing now. “Oh my god, yes, I remember that! Didn’t Oscar do it too?”

Ellen chuckles. “He did yeah, he’s got massive FOMO, that kid, especially when it comes to these two,” she says gesturing to her husband and Jack.

As everyone else starts laughing about that afternoon, Penny leans over so her mouth is against my ear. “I remember liking what I saw that day,” she whispers so only I can hear.

I turn, my eyes meeting hers. “Oh yeah?”

“Uh huh,” she murmurs, brushing her lips against mine. “Very much so.”

I smile. “Well then, I’ll be sure to show you again when we get home.”

The rest of the evening passes, the six of us enjoying a relaxed and fun dinner together. It’s unreal how easy it is too. How it already feels like Pen’s a part of the group, as though she’s been here with me like this forever.

The next morning, I wake early as usual, the sun filtering in through the slats in the blinds. Pen sleeps soundly beside me, her cat curled up on the loveseat at the end of the bed that’s become his spot ever since he moved over here.

I can’t help but smile as I take in the moment, the quiet stillness of my bedroom and the beautiful woman sleeping next to me. Never in a million years did I think we’d end up here like this and I still can’t believe it’s me Pen wants to be with. But as unbelievable as it is, I’m definitely done questioning it anymore.

She stirs beside me, stretching her arms as she slowly blinks her eyes open. “Morning,” I whisper, leaning in to kiss her.

“Morning,” she replies, her voice husky with sleep.

“I’ll make you some coffee,” I add, brushing the hair back from her face.

She smiles up at me, her eyes closing briefly. “Thank you.”

I slide out of bed, grabbing a pair of boxers from the floor and pulling them on before heading out to the kitchen. I’m just pouring the second cup when arms slide around my waist from behind and Pen rests her chin on my shoulder.

“Thank you,” she says, kissing the side of my neck.

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