Page 103 of Positively, Penelope

Penelope:And I know it’s ridiculous to get excited about hand-holding like I’m some junior-high kid, but... well, it was HIS hand. And he took mine. And I’d been wondering and wondering if he was attracted to me at all, so... it mattered. God doesn’t mind, does He?

Izzy:You do remember that God is all about love, right? I mean, there’s a part in the Bible that says something about God being love, so as long as your priorities are in the right place, then I’m pretty sure hand-holding in church is not an unforgivable sin.

Penelope:I’m pretty sure my priorities jumped into dangerous territory only a few times... because, well, he has wonderful hands. But I assure you, I remember the sermon. It was about a man named Jiminiah.

Izzy:Cuz, you might need to work on those priorities again. Jiminiah? But also, God understands our human hearts and distractions, so... aren’t we glad. Otherwise, I’d be in a heap of trouble every time I sit beside Brodie in church. He smells delicious.

Penelope:Thanks for the encouraging words, mostly. Matthias asked if I’d be free on Tuesday for the whole afternoon. We’re going to spend the AFTERNOON together! And though I’m looking forward to more hand-holding, I’m anticipating a first kiss! AHHHH!!!! I KNOWGod doesn’t mind the right kind of kisses. It’s mentioned about fifty times in the Bible. I counted.

Izzy:You’re weird sometimes.

Penelope:I started searching as penance for letting my mind wander a bit during the sermon once Matthias took my hand, and then I got curious. Um... if I ever doubted that God was okay with kissing, my doubts were allayed when my research took me to Song of Solomon. Whoa!

***

Penelope had just pulled her hands out of the soapy dishwater when her phone rang on the counter beside her. Alec’s name popped up. Hmm. She raised the phone to her ear.

“Hey, Alec. Missed you at lunch after church Sunday.”

He paused. “Yes, well, I had a meeting.”

“That’s what Matt said. Grandpa took us to that wonderful Italian restaurant on Marigold Lane. I’m pretty sure any place on a street named something as sweet as that has to be a great stop.”

“Ah, he took you to Antonella’s. Excellent choice.”

“It was.” She cradled the phone between her shoulder and cheek as she finished washing her teacup. “How can I help you this fine Tuesday morning?”

“Well, I just wanted to congratulate you on that great interview on Friday. You really know how to engage the audience.”

“Thanks.” She took the towel and started drying her teacup. “I’m really hoping the interview will have an even broader reach than the last time, now that we’re more visible online.”

“I imagine since you’re the queen of the impossible, you’ll receive an overwhelmingly positive response.”

She chuckled, easing into the conversation with him. “Exactly what I want. All things that are overwhelmingly positive.”

“Speaking of overwhelmingly positive, there’s a bit of a surprise in the works and I’ve been tasked with ensuring you reach the right place at the right time.”

“Surprise?” She returned the phone to her hand. “For me? I thought that was what Antonella’s was all about.”

“Antonella’s was only the... appetizer, so to speak. It seems everyone took my suggestion to heart and got together after the ball to make a plan to properly celebrate you.” A smile warmed his words. “Rarely do they take my words to heart, so I feel uncharacteristically justified.”

“What did they plan? When?”

“You’ll find out today, as a matter of fact. I think Matt ensured you took the day off?”

She glanced over at her clock. Matthias said he had a phone conference at the theater that morning but would see her after lunch for their date. Her jaw dropped. He’d been planning this all along? Ooh, he had been very sneaky with the surprise. She hadn’t had a clue.

She looked down at her jeans and T-shirt. “But... but I thought I had a few hours before I needed to leave. There are important decisions to be made about clothing when surprises are involved. What time will you be here?”

“A half hour.”

“A half hour? But Matt said we weren’t meeting until after lunch.”

“It’s going to take a little while to get to where the surprise happens, princess.”

Oh. She blinked and then her smile spread. How exciting! “Then you owe me a little secret-breaking for giving me such short notice.”

Silence.

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