Page 97 of Breakout
“Well then let me be perfectly clear, I’m not interested. Nothing, and I mean nothing, is ever going to happen between us.”
The corners of her mouth turn down. “Am I not to your liking? If it’s something specific, I could change it.”
I take a deep breath and pray for some patience. Women like Penny aren’t used to rejection. Hell, I’m sure she doesn’t even realize that’s what this is.
“No, actually you aren’t. Nothing is wrong with you, and you should never,ever,change yourself for someone else. You deserve better than that. Don’t sell yourself short. The reason you are not to my liking is because I am not available. You never stood a chance.”
“Your father said you were single,” she says slowly.
“I’m not. I have a beautiful woman back at school who I am madly in love with. Just being here at lunch with you and this entire situation is disrespectful to what she and I have,” I tell her bluntly.
She falls back in her chair. “Does your father know?”
“No, but he will.”
“Then there’s still a chance.” She gives me a small smile.
“There isn’t. Not even death would sway my loyalty to her. She’s my forever.”
She looks envious. “What’s she like?”
I can’t help but smile as I think about my woman. “She’s sassy but humble. She’s the hardest worker I know and gives everything she does a hundred and ten percent. She’s loyal to those she considers a friend. My girl is beautiful inside and out, and I’m lucky I get to call her mine.”
“You truly love her. Like you weren’t just saying that to brush me off.” She looks resigned now.
“More than life itself. I would follow her anywhere.”
“Our parents are going to be disappointed,” she points out.
“Yeah, well, my parents are used to the disappointment. I’m sorry if this causes you issues, though.”
“Not sorry enough to play the game, though.” She gives me a small smile.
I shake my head. “Never going to happen.”
Penny studies me for a moment. “You know, your girl is lucky. Most men don’t know the first thing about commitment. It’s all about them and what they want. They would jump at this setup. I was fully willing to marry you and let you do whatever you wanted on the side. Your girl should know she’s got a good one. I wish you two nothing but the best.”
“You shouldn’t be willing to settle for less than everything, Penny. Find a man willing to burn the world for you. Anything less isn’t worth it.”
Her eyes drop down to my hands, and I look down to see what she’s staring at, only to realize I’ve been rubbing my ring finger for our entire conversation.
Shit.
She looks back up at me and raises a brow. As much as I would love to tell her that I am in fact married and respect my marriage vows with Peyton, I keep my mouth shut. If I were to spill my secrets to her here and now, they sure as hell would make their way back to my father, and I’m not ready for that to happen.
Not today.
Not until things have calmed down, and I’m sure I can keep my girl.
No, no one needs to know yet that the only woman I am devoted to is the one who said I do and shares my last name.
But they will know. Come hell or high water, they will know when the time is right.
twenty-one
“Larry, I don’t know what you did differently, but these fries are the bomb,” I tell the head cook as I pick up another one.
He shoots me a dirty look over his shoulder as he flips a burger. “Are you saying my food isn’t always good?”
