Page 63 of Positively, Penelope

Penelope:Oh yes! Maybe this weekend? I have a super-secret project we can do together.

Matthias:Oh dear.

Penelope:Don’t worry. You’ll like it.

Penelope:I think.

***

A knock from the cottage door brought Penelope’s attention away from the open oven and toward the front of the house. She glanced at the clock. Only six thirty. She still had half an hour before Alec was due to arrive. Was he early?

She frowned. He didn’t seem like the type who’d be early. In fact, he’d been late to about every meeting she’d been in with him. Unless he was just eager for their dinner? She tapped her smile and closed the oven door. Wouldn’t that be a pleasant surprise! A girl never minded being the center of attention in a man’s mind. Well, as long as it was good attention.

With a quick pause to set the oven timer, she tossed her oven mitt on the counter and walked to the door.

Matthias stood on the threshold, navy jacket open with a paler blue button-up underneath and his hair tousled by the chilly wind. She paused to take in the very pleasant view. Blue was a very good color on him.

“What a wonderful surprise!”

His smile responded by slow degrees, even lighting his eyes. He had a very nice smile. She was so glad he’d decided to use it more often.

“I can send the cookies up to the house with you.”

“Cookies?” He glanced down to her sunflower apron as she gestured him inside. “Oh, they smell fantastic.”

“I promised Iris I’d make her star cookies if she finished her first book report, and she called me from the house an hour ago to tell meshe had. Even read it to me. We switched to a video call so she could show me her illustrations. I wish I could have drawn fairy wings that well at seven.” Penelope walked back toward the kitchen. “And since I’m a woman of my word, I got to work on those cookies.”

“You’ve certainly helped make those types of homework projects easier.” He removed his jacket as he stepped up to the little island in the kitchen. Rolled-up shirtsleeves and khaki trousers. Hmm... who did he remind her of? Someone famous. And a dancer. “I think your enthusiasm makes everything a little more exciting.”

“Are you being sarcastic?” She shot him a narrow-eyed look over her shoulder as she placed the first batch of cookies in a plastic container. “You didn’t sound super excited about my secret projects. Not the one at the theater or the one with Iris.”

His palms came up in defense. “With my history, I’ve become a little leery of surprises.”

“Oh.” She stared at him for a moment and then returned a few steps to stand in front of him, offering a cookie almost like a peace offering. “I wouldn’t do anything to hurt you or Iris, as long as I could help it.” She leaned closer and lowered her voice as if someone were nearby listening. “And I only pick very good surprises.”

Something in his face shifted, softened, and his gaze held hers in such a way that her breath hitched just the slightest bit. Yes, stormy-blue eyes suited him very well. So did smiles. Gentle or wide. She liked them all.

He took the cookie from her hand, never breaking eye contact. “Thank you.”

“Of course.” She drew in a shaky breath and dusted her hands against the apron. “I didn’t think I’d see you today.”

“Oh yes.” His eyes grew wide. “Right. I popped in to share some news.”

“Good news, I’d say, from the glint in your eyes.”

“Very good news.” His wider grin resurfaced. “I’ve sold two ofthe other box seats and recruited another large donor for the theater. The Marshalls.”

He mentioned the amount and Penelope staggered back.

“That’s amazing, Matt!” And before she realized it, she jumped forward—as if it were the most natural thing—right into a hug. As his arms wrapped around her, she burrowed deep, basking in the feel of his strength. He smelled of cedar and... what else? The sea? Vanilla? She breathed it in, resting her chin against his shoulder as she did. She hadn’t really thought about what Matthias’s hugs would be like, but he was a good hugger. Wonderful even.

The timer buzzed and Penelope jumped back, laughing. “Sorry, I was a little mesmerized by your hug and cologne.” Her cheeks flamed and she sighed as she turned toward the oven. “I think that hug could do me for at least three days. Whew.”

“My hugs are at your disposal anytime.”

She turned back to gauge whether he was teasing, but his expression was serious. So serious, in fact, that her cheeks warmed and she didn’t know why. But it wasn’t a bad reason, because she had the overwhelming desire to run right back into his arms again.

“So you just stopped in to share your news with me?”

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