Page 9 of Once Upon A Second Chance
Her eyes narrow slightly, like she doesn’t believe me, but she doesn’t push. “Right. Well. Let me know if you want to adjust his meds.”
She turns to leave, and I should let her. But—
“Penny.”
She pauses, glancing back.
I don’t know what I was going to say.I miss you. I’m sorry. I still think about you every damn day.
Instead, I just nod toward the file. “Good work with Higgins.”
Her expression flickers—something unreadable—before she schools it back into neutrality.
“Thanks.”
Then she’s gone, her sneakers squeaking against the linoleum.
I exhale, running a hand through my hair.
Get it together, Hogan.
The nurse—Darlene—grins at me from behind the desk. “Y’all are real professional.”
I give her a discouraging look and head to the break room.
She laughs as I walk away.
I pour myself a cup of break room coffee, bitter and burnt, and try not to think about the fact that Penny Morgan still smellsexactly like heartbreak.
The fluorescent lights of the Piggly Wiggly hum overhead as I stare blankly at the frozen pizza selection. Three varieties of "meat lovers" and something called "breakfast pizza" that should be illegal. My stomach growls in protest.
This is rock bottom, I think, reaching for the least offensive option.
Then I hear it.
"Goddamn corporate giants putting the good granola on the top shelf."
That voice. Husky with irritation, edged with a laugh. She's already amused at her own frustration.
I turn slowly.
Penny stands two aisles over, glaring up at the organic foods section like it's personally offended her.
She's in black yoga pants and an oversized UT Knoxville sweatshirt, her hair piled into a haphazard bun. No makeup. Glasses perched on her nose.
She's never looked more beautiful.
I should walk away.
I don't.
"Need a hand?"
She startles so hard she nearly drops her basket. "Jesus—" Her eyes widen when she sees me. "Richard. Hi. I mean. No. I'm good."
I arch a brow at the shelf. "You planning to grow six inches in the next five seconds?"
Her lips twitch. "I was considering a running start."
