Page 145 of The Hallows Queen

When we’re up to our chests in the water, I look at her again. “It’s fine. I think I needed to do it alone to really absorb it. I think I’m going to keep the house.”

She wraps her arms around my neck and her legs around my waist. “Oh yeah?”

“Yeah.” I nod. “There’s not just bad memories there, and maybe one day there will be enough good ones to erase them. Plus, we’ll need somewhere to stay when we come to visit.”

She smiles. “Or live when we get old and smelly.”

Laughing, I dip down into the water to our necks and spin us around. She kisses my cheek, and I squeeze her between my arms. “Hey, so, I did something today that might annoy you.”

Pulling back, she gives me a death stare. “Oh,goodie.”

I laugh again, sliding my hands under her ass to squeeze her there. “I spoke to the HR rep at Monroe Financials in L.A. and we came up with a position for you there, since I know you’ll want to work when you come to California.”

“You think I would want to work for you?” She raises a brow.

I shrug. “I mean, why not?”

She snorts. “Because there’s only one place you’re allowed to boss me around, and that’s the bedroom. I appreciate the effort, but I don’t think that would work. Plus, unless you have some secret school, I’m not qualified to do much else besides teach.”

“I thought you might say that.” I chuckle. “So after I got off the phone with HR, I started looking for schools you could work at by my office. There are a couple great places I think you should check out.”

She narrows her eyes. “Tell me you didn’t call anyone or do anything crazy.”

Rolling my eyes, I shake my head. “I didn’t. You think I know nothing about you, Penelope? I know you want to do it all on your own, I just wanted to get some ideas for you.”

I stand back up, exposing our shoulders to the air again, and she squeezes my face. “Thank you. It was very thoughtful.”

Chapter52

Hayden

Feeling incrediblyhopeful and optimistic that Penelope and I can get through some distance, I head back to California a week later. I’ve always had this possessive bone in my body for her, but somehow, it’s kept silent through this. I don’t want to push her. I want her to come to the decision by herself, with no pressure from me.

We agree to one month of distance, and it hurt like shit to leave her at the airport, but in my soul, I know this is going to work.

My first day back at the office, I let myself get consumed in work, trying to keep my mind off my worries. Monroe Financials went public with my father’s passing, so it’s all chaos in the office, all eyes on me as I’m finally on my own in the boss’s chair.

Levi comes into my office around noon, barging in without knocking, as usual. Serena has a soft spot for him, so she never stops him.

“Dude,” he greets me, still the same surfer kid he’s always been. “I am so glad you’re back.”

He breezes through my office, dropping down in one of the chairs in front of my desk before putting his feet up on the edge. He’s dressed in a button-down that’s tucked into his black slacks, but he still makes it look casual.

“Same,” I say unenthusiastically, keeping my gaze on my computer.

“Hey,” he says, pulling my attention finally. “Why did Serena email me a bunch of house listings?”

“Because you’re moving out of my house.” I smile. “Surprise.”

He laughs. “Great, when?”

“Sooner rather than later is preferred,” I murmur, looking back at my computer to finish what I’m working on. “Do you think Penelope would like aprincess cut, or an oval shape?”

He stands up, leaning over my desk to look at the computer screen. “I’m going to pretend that you aren’t batshit insane for proposing to a chick you’ve been dating for a week and sayoval.”

I click my tongue. “I’ve known her for five years. Plus, I’m not proposing yet, just thinking.”

“Ooo-kay.”He lifts a brow, sitting back down. “You wanna get some lunch? I’m starving.”

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