Page 131 of Positively, Penelope

Penelope looked from him to Iris and back again. What was that for?

“A possible new hire, you say? What sort of job?”

“A teacher, I think.” She studied his face, his eyes sparkling above a veiled grin. “Jackie wasn’t very clear on the details, but I’m supposed to give him a—” She froze, and her breath caught. “A tour of the theater.”

No. It was just a coincidence he’d shown up at the same time as the interviewee, right?

But then how did he get the music to come on just as he entered?

Iris’s giggle resounded again.

“Matthias?”

He slipped his arm around her waist and spun her into a dance. “What would you say if I told you I enlisted your brother to obtain Mrs.Crenshaw’s contact information for me?”

“Luke knew about this?”

“And I contacted Mrs.Crenshaw regarding a position as a dance instructor and accountant for The Ashby Theater?”

She opened her mouth but nothing came out. She’d mentioned those needs to him a few weeks ago. But... how?

“And Mrs.Crenshaw took a look at my résumé, connected me to you, and offered me the job on the spot?” He shrugged a shoulder with his growing grin. “She helped with the music too.”

“You’re... you’re moving here?” She stumbled to a stop in the dance. “To beherewith me?”

He nodded. “With you.” He gestured toward Iris. “We are.”

She looked from Iris’s bright smile back to Matthias, trying to match what she was seeing with reality.

“Daddy said families need to be together and that’s why we came. We want to see if you will be a part of our family. Right, Da?”

“And the only way we can make certain that’s the direction for us”—he searched her face—“is to be in the same place at the same time.”

Their family? Her heart mamba-ed into a yes, but she stumbled back. “But what about The Darling House and your family there?”

He tugged her toward him again, his warm palms framing her face. “I can help with the finances remotely, but my grandfather and siblings know where my heart belongs. It’s here, with you.” His grin peaked. “You, dear Penelope, were definitely meant for me.”

“But... are you sure?” Penelope tightened her hold on him, his face blurring in her vision. “You’re upending your whole life for me. I don’t want you to have any regrets.”

“I would only regret not starting forever with you as soon as possible.”

Her bottom lip dropped. Was that a line from a movie? Because if it wasn’t, it certainly needed to be.

“Kiss her, Da.” Iris pulled at the bottom of his jacket. “People always kiss at this part of the story.”

“Oh, Iris.” Matthias’s attention never left Penelope’s face. “I plan on kissing her in every part of the story.”

“That sounds very fairy-tale-ish to me, Mr.Gray.”

“Aye.” But his response came out a little breathlessly as his lips found hers, and she caught hints of happily ever after sneaking between those vowels. “For certain it is, luv.”

***

From: Penelope Edgewood

To: Izzy Edgewood, Luke Edgewood

Date: January21

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