Page 44 of The Anaconda Downstairs

The foamy bubbles cascaded down his face, soaking into his crisp white shirt. Everett sputtered, jumping to his feet. Simone let out a little shriek of surprise.

“Pen, what the hell?” Everett gasped, wiping beer from his eyes.

But I was already moving, pushing past gawking speed-daters and making a beeline for the exit. I could hear the murmur of shocked voices behind me, could practically feel the weight of all those stares.

I didn’t care. I just needed to get out of there.

The cool night air hit me as I burst out of the bar, but it did nothing to calm the storm of emotions raging inside me.

“Penelope, wait.” Everett’s voice. Of course he’d followed me. I quickened my pace, my heels clicking frantically on the pavement. I didn’t even know where I was going. He’d driven me here, and it wasn’t like I was going to walk all the way back to Thornminster.

“Pen, please. Talk to me, tell me what that was all about in there.”

His hand caught my arm, gently turning me to face him. In the glow of the neon signs of the bars, clubs, and streetlights, I could see the droplets of beer still clinging to his hair. He looked ridiculous.

He looked beautiful.

“What do you want, Everett?” I asked, hating how my voice cracked on his name.

“I want to understand what just happened in there,” he said, his eyes searching mine. “One minute you’re having a speed date with that douchepotato, and the next you’re dumping his beer on my head and running out.”

I laughed, but there was no humor in it. “Having a speed date? Is that what you were doing when you just agreed to go to the awards show with Simone while I had to sit there and listen to Odin talk about how brave I am for daring to date while fat?”

Everett’s brow furrowed. “What? Pen, I didn’t agree to go with Simone. I was about to tell her that I... Wait. He fuckingsaid what? I’m going to fucking murder him. Call my goddamn agent and tell him we’re going to need that insurance on my hands tonight because I’m going to beat that asshole to a bloody pulp.”

He clenched his fists but when I expected him to turn and run back inside to defend my... honor, or body, or life, he just stood there, staring down at me, so many emotions raging through his eyes. His chest rose and fell like a man possessed, but his feet were glued to the ground in front of me.

I shook my head, suddenly feeling very tired. “It doesn’t matter. None of this matters. I don’t know why I thought I could do this. I don’t know why I let you talk me into it.”

“Pen...” Everett’s voice was soft now, gentle in a way that made my heart ache. “What’s really going on here?”

I looked up at him, at this man who’d turned my world upside down without even realizing it. I wanted to tell him that Kelsey was right, that I did have feelings for him. That somewhere along the way, when he was teaching me how to date, I’d fallen in love with him.

I didn’t get the chance, because Everett grabbed my face in his hands and crushed his mouth down on mine, kissing me, taking my breath away, making me go weak in the knees.

Stealing my heart.

INSTASNAP POST

@BestiesBestie

[Selfie style pic of Penelope in a room full of local Colorado celebrities with a speed dating sign in the background]

Caption:

Hey, Besties.

Stepping out of your comfort zone is where the magic happens. Whether it's trying a new hobby, going on a date, or just wearing that outfit you've been scared to rock. It’s okay to be scared and try something new.

Do it unafraid. You've got this.

What one thing can you do today that scares you?

Your BFF,

Mz. Besties’ Bestie - Penelope

#BestiesBestie #ComfortZone #LiveYourBestLife #IfICanDoItYouCanDoIt #WhoSaidAnythingAboutSnakes?

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