Page 41 of The Anaconda Downstairs

“Another water? Or maybe something stronger?” the bartender asked, eyeing my empty glass.

I shook my head, not trusting myself to speak. As he slid a fresh water to me anyway, the bell rang again. Penelope was talking animatedly, her hands gesturing as she told some story, and she didn’t seem like she wanted to stop. The guy across from her was leaning in, completely captivated.

Join the club, buddy.

I took a long pull from my water, trying to drown the voice in my head that was screaming at me to go over there. To do what, I wasn’t sure. Rescue her? From what, success?

No, a traitorous part of my brain whispered. To claim her as mine.

I nearly choked on the bubbling water. Where the hell had that come from? Pen wasn’t mine to claim. She was my student. My brother’s fiancée’s assistant. My friend.

Just then, Pen’s eyes met mine across the room. She gave me a small smile and a thumbs up. I returned the gesture automatically, but inside, I was a mess of conflicting emotions.

Pride at how well she was doing. Jealousy at the attention she was getting. And something else, something deeper and more terrifying than I could handle at the moment.

The guy finally stood up, and the next one moved to take his place at Pen’s table. But I didn’t just recognize the guy who was up next. I knew him. It was Dion, the rookie, and he had on a smile a mile wide. I made a decision. A stupid, reckless decision that Future Everett was definitely going to regret.

I downed the rest of my water and stood up. It was time to get a closer look at this speed dating thing.

After all, I was supposed to be observing, right? And how could I observe properly from all the way over here?

At least, that’s what I told myself as I made my way towards the tables, my eyes never leaving Penelope.

“Hey, rookie,” I said, clapping him on the shoulder. “How about I do you a solid?”

Dion looked at me, confusion clear on his face. “Kingman? What are you doing here? You’re the last guy I thought would do celebrity speed dating.”

I leaned in, lowering my voice. “You know that supermodel I did the underwear shoot with? How’d you like me to set you up on a date with her instead of doing all this nonsense?”

His eyes widened. “For real? That’d be awesome, but... why?”

“I want your spot in this speed dating round. What do you say? A real celebrity date for five minutes with...” I gestured towards Pen’s table.

Dion’s gaze followed mine, and he whistled low. “Damn, Kingman. I’ve been looking forward to talking to her. I’m an ass man and hers don’t quit.”

I narrowed my eyes at him, and he grinned, holding up his hands in surrender. “All yours, man. Good luck.”

Heart pounding like I’d just run a four second forty yard dash, I made my way to Pen’s table just as the bell rang. She looked up, surprise flickering across her face as I sat down.

“Ev? What are you doing?”

I leaned forward, acutely aware of the ticking clock. “I couldn’t do it, Pen. I couldn’t just stand back and watch.”

She tipped her head all cute and curious like. “I thought that was the whole point of you being here.”

“Yeah, well, plans change.” I took a deep breath, steeling myself. I was going to do it. I was giving in. “I don’t want you going out with any of these fucking guys.”

Pen’s eyes widened, her lips parted, and she blinked a few times. “But you’re the one who set this whole thing up. You’re supposed to be helping me find a date for the awards show. I think I already have at least three strong candidates, including Fox Daws, the rock star. Did you know he was from Denver?”

“Fuck Fox Daws.” I clenched my teeth and my fists under the table. “I thought I could be your dating coach, your love guru, your... whatever. But I can’t. Not anymore.”

I grabbed Pen’s hand, and the lightning struck and the thunder rolled right through me.

I was in love with Penelope Quinn.

DON’T GO STEALING MY HEART

PENELOPE

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