Page 124 of Positively, Penelope

And he couldn’t wait any longer. He cupped her face in his palms and tasted her lips. She hummed against his touch, encouraging him to linger. Her fingers twined into his coat, pulling him closer, giving him full access to her lips and cheeks. He nuzzled the spot where her ear met her neck, warming at her tremored response.

And she gave with as much passion as he did, one hand moving to slip into his hair.

It was a kiss that spoke more than words.

Of longing and believing and trusting the end would be worth the wait.

And in the back of his mind, a realization began to dawn. What if his idea of home had changed?

***

Penelope hated goodbyes. Of any kind. Even after dog-sitting for a week and having to leave any new furry friends with whom she’d created a bond.

Butthis. This was heart-wrenchingly worse.

It wasn’t as if she’d never see Matthias or Iris again. She knew that—in her head anyway.

And it wasn’t as if she couldn’t jump on a plane and be back in Skymar in seven hours to have tea with Gwynn and Grandpa Gray.

Logically, it all made sense.

But logic didn’t change the fact that once she got on the plane for home, a very different scene of her life began. Her role in this beautiful world of Skymar and The Darling House moved to memory instead of being a part of her every day. The movie nights and bicycle rides with Iris stopped. The moonlit walks and dancing dates with Matthias stopped.

Matthias.

He walked on one side of her while Luke followed on the otheras they moved through Skymar International Airport. She was so distracted that not even the giant replica of the Kronimara upset her. Well, not very much.

Matt pulled her bag behind him, but she was determined to keep hold of his other hand as long as she could.

“I’m gonna go on through security, Penn.” Luke put out a hand to Matthias. “Matt.”

“I’ll text over the photos of Grandfather’s properties he’d like you to consider. The ones you didn’t have a chance to visit while you were here.” Matthias took his hand. “Assuming you’re still interested in the job.”

“I am.” Luke gave a nod. “I’d appreciate learning from your grandpa. He’s got some top-notch woodworking skills.”

“March, then?”

Luke nodded. “See you then.” He gestured with his chin toward Penelope and lowered his voice. “If not before.”

Penelope breathed out a hopeful sigh. There was no way she’d be able to wait three months to see Matthias and Iris again. Maybe February? For Valentine’s Day.

She frowned. But that was still two months away.

She internally whimpered.

Two months? Why did it feel like forever right now and a split second when planning for a performance?

Luke sent Penelope an encouraging wink before moving on to security and disappearing into the crowd.

She turned toward Matthias but couldn’t look up. Saying goodbye to Iris had already left her with a red nose and completely mascara-less. She stared down at the buttons of his jacket, her eyes filling with tears all over again.

“At least we’ll see each other on the screen.” He brushed a thumb across her chin. “Every night if we can.”

She nodded, words lodged in her throat. And she was usually so good at talking.

“Penelope.”

The way he cradled her name drew her gaze to his.

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