Page 80 of Loved

He tossed a piece of crust back in the box and walked over to me. Instead of hugging me like a normal person would, Rob wrapped his arms around me and lifted me slightly off the floor. What was he doing? I was still taller than him.

"It's so good to see you!" he said really loudly, like we were outside.

Why was he yelling? And why hadn’t he let me go yet?

I heard Penny laugh.

I smiled. Rob's good mood had always been contagious.

Rob set me back down and leaned in close. "Dude, is this seriously Ellen? You didn't tell me she was super hot. Please tell me you're tapping that?"

He knew this wasn’t Ellen. He knew Ellen. He loved Ellen. What kind of game was he playing? And why had he said that so loudly?

Penny’s face turned even more red.

"No." I said. "That's not Ellen.”Which you damn well know, you crazy person.“That's..."

"Shit, are you serious? I get my own housekeeper? I should have come here ages ago." He patted me on the chest and walked over to Penny.

What the fuck is he doing right now?

"I'm Rob." He put his hand out for Penny to shake.

"Penny." She looked confused but also ready to burst out laughing again.

"So tell me about yourself, Penny." Rob leaned against the counter and locked eyes with her.

Great, now he’s actually hitting on her.

"For starters, I'm not a housekeeper,” she said.

His smile got even bigger and he looked over his shoulder at me. "I knew it! You're the best brother ever.” He winked at me.

Oh.He…I laughed.Well, fuck.I’d told him I had a surprise for him when he visited. And I guessthiswas the surprise he’d wanted. He just assumed we were on the same page. He was playing along with it, flirting like always. Pretending to be surprised. Sliding in smooth compliments, the wayI’dtaught him.

Rob winked at me again.

Yup, he definitely thought Penny was a prostitute.

Chapter 22

Friday

It honestly wasn’t that big of a leap to think that Penny was a high-end prostitute, because she was fucking gorgeous. I mean…she’d be a great surprise for him if she wasn’tmine. It was a hilarious mix-up. One that could be kind of fun to go along with…

Rob winked at me again.

Nope.I needed to put an end to it before my brother kissed my girlfriend. "Jesus, stop talking, Rob." I walked over and wrapped my arm around Penny’s shoulders.

"So..." Rob looked back and forth between us. "You are fucking then?"

"No, Rob. Or, well, yes actually." I smiled at the flush crossing Penny’s cheeks. "This is my girlfriend." I squeezed her shoulder.

"Wait, what?” Rob looked back and forth between us. “What about the troll?"

"We're divorced." God that felt good to say.

"Seriously?!”

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