Page 86 of Penelope in Retrograde

“She’s OK if you show up a little late.”

“Do you want company?” He hands me a small notebook and pen. “The heat lamp is all I have candle-wise.”

“That’ll work.” I hold the door. “And I think I’ll write this letter by myself, if that’s OK?”

“I’d never dream of coming between the two of you. Take all the time you need.”

So I do.

Chapter 26

“You know,” I say to Ozzie after our third loop around the block before seven a.m. “Now that you’re a swanky dog with a backyard, it would be really great if you started pissing in it, because it’s getting really hard to always find an available Prius. Also, I think that Prius is starting to take it personally.”

My phone chimes, reminding me that I have a video chat scheduled with the Smut Coven later this afternoon, because I am officially working toward being a responsible person who keeps reminders in her phone instead of inked on her hand. Ozzie has just rejected another truck when I notice a familiar black Pom on the opposite side of the street.

“Hey.” Smith waves as he crosses the street toward me. “Are you screening my texts now?”

“Huh?”

“I just texted you.”

I look at my phone, and sure enough, there’s a text from “Martin” telling me to turn around. I really need to change Smith’s name in my contacts.

“Sorry.” I give him a hug. “I meant to reach out, but things have been a little hectic. Did everything end up OK with Sarah? She seemed a little unhappy finding us in your parents’ kitchen the other night.”

“She recovered.” He shakes his head. “She’s got a good heart.”

“The best. She gave me the dress off her back.”

“I’m flying out later today to meet her and Mo in Dubai.”

“That’s right,” I say, pleasantly surprised at how unbothered I am hearing the word Dubai. “What time does your flight leave?”

“A few hours.” He stares down at his feet where Harriet and Ozzie have taken to grooming each other. “I actually have a favor to ask you, Pen.”

“Does she need to borrow one of my dresses now? Because we are the same size.”

“Harry’s getting a little old to be making long flights.” He kneels down and scratches her graying snout. “I’d never kennel her, and I don’t really have the kind of friends I trust to take care of her. Except for you.”

My heart melts. “You want me to take Harriet?”

“Not forever. She’s my longest-standing relationship with a woman. Just until after New Year’s.” He holds out her little pink leash to me. “What do you say, friend?”

“Yes.”

I hug him until my arms hurt.

I have the first shift this morning with my father. I brace myself for more of the same as yesterday, but to my surprise, my father is awake when I walk into his room. Not only is he awake, but he’s sitting up in bed with a book. My book, to be exact.

“Good morning, Penelope.” My father takes off his reading glasses and folds them in his lap. “Or should I call you Fiona Nelson?”

“When I was a kid, I went through that phase where I wanted everyone to call me Lamb Chop. Is that an option?” I move to his bedside and wrap him in a delicate hug.

“Penelope it is.”

“I’m glad you’re awake, Dad. You kind of scared the shit out of all of us.”

“Myself included.” He laughs. It’s a weak laugh, but a laugh nonetheless. “Back to this book.” He taps on the shiny cover. “I may be biased, and this is my first romance, but I’ve got to tell you, it’s very well written.”

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