Page 22 of Finding Her Panthers

“Of course, it was the best day of my life.” I smile gratefully.

“No, no, it wasn’t,” she disagrees.

“What?” I sit up suddenly, whipping my head towards her.

“You hated it. You were reserved, suspicious, and cold. Told us all to go fuck ourselves when they wanted you to sleep in my room with me. Even went so far as giving us all the silent treatment, after you put bugs and a snake in my bed,” she reminds me.

“Oh shit,” I gasp.

“Now it’s all coming back to you, huh?”

“It is,” I cringe, guilty.

“It took weeks, months to get you to be comfortable enough to come around. I appreciated the day you decided to stop playing pranks on me. Then one day, you thanked mom for supper. We all just looked at you strangely. You were part of the family from that day, and you opened up. You let us love you.” She looks at me knowingly.

“I blocked that out,” I laugh.

“I know. You haven’t talked about it since. I don’t want you to put snakes in your mate’s bed. Or please don’t put hot sauce in the ketchup. It took weeks to get my tongue to stop burning,” she shutters. “It’s time to believe this is real. Let them care for you. Trust them because the universe certainly does.”

“Penny, thanks. Deep down, that first day I knew I loved you. You were the best thing that happened to me.” I place my hand over hers.

“Well, I am passing the torch to three hot-as-hell men. Please take advantage, girl,” she chuckles.

“I will. I really want what they can give me. When they are close, my brain goes to mush. It’s when I have time in my head I have doubts.”

“Maybe that’s how Blue feels,” she says perceptively.

“How did you know?” I sigh.

“I lived with someone just like him,” she says dryly.

“Bitch.” I smack her arm.

“Ouch, super strength, remember?” She rubs her wound. “I’ve seen the way he looks at you, just like the other two. He wants that hot ass. Maybe you need to push him as I pushed you. Make it happen, girly.”

“I think I need to.” I grin. “Now, are you really having fun here?”

“What’s not to love? Hot men, check. Food delivery, check. Hot shower, check. Drinks whenever I want, check. Car service, check.” She wiggles her fingers as she lists the benefits. “This is amazing. I’m happy. Plus, safe. Don’t worry about me. Worry about getting them to fuck the shit out of you,” she states. Both of us burst out laughing.

A rough throat clearing from the door cuts off our laughter, turning it into choking sounds as we see Blue standing there uncomfortably.

“You're with me,” he states firmly, stepping back, staring down the hallway to wait for me.

Penny and I share a humorous, panicked look before hugging tightly. “I’ll see you later,” I whisper in her ear.

“Next time, I expect a full report.” Her attempt to whisper fails miserably as I see that ever-present tick in Blue’s cheek.

The moment I step out, he starts walking, so I have to hurry to keep pace with him. The silence surrounding us is painfully awkward.

I glance at him out of the corner of my eye, clearing my throat. I attempt normal conversation.

“How did the meeting go?”

“As expected,” he says shortly.

I clear my throat again. Great, he's going to think I have a cold. In my head, my eyes are rolling. “No new information?” Maybe he didn’t hear.

“Some.” Geez, I will have to strip naked to get a response for him.

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