Page 89 of Ink Me Three Times
I turn around, and my heart stutters.
Freddie is here, looking like he’s just come from the shop, with his arm around Penny. My chest tightens, like it alwaysdoes when he’s near, but I push the feeling down. Penny giggles as she tugs on his sleeve, her tiny hand waving at me.
“Hey, Penny,” I say, smiling. She’s so sweet, it almost breaks my heart.
Freddie gives me a grin that makes everything feel a little lighter. “Hey, Ivy. We’re just grabbing dinner. How you doing?”
I can alreadyfeelOlivia’s eyes burning through me.
I shift in my seat, trying to act casual, but the tension in my neck gives me away. Of course, Olivia is sizing up the situation like she’s auditioning forThe Real Housewives of Coyote Glen.
"I'm good," I say, pulling my gaze from Olivia's and back to Freddie. "Busy day."
"Yeah, I get that." Freddie gives me that grin, the one that makes me feel like I’ve just been wrapped in a warm blanket. It's easy, too easy, to get lost in it.
Olivia’s eyes flick to Freddie and Penny, and then she looks at me with that knowing smirk.
“Oh, sothisis Freddie?” she asks, her voice full of curiosity.
“Guilty as charged.” Freddie chuckles, his grin widening as he holds his hand out to Olivia. “Freddie Brooks. Nice to meet you.”
Olivia smirks and takes his hand with a teasing glint in her eye. “Olivia Quinn. Well, I can definitely see the appeal.”
I give Olivia a pointed look, but she just shrugs like she’s innocent.
Before I can even think of a response, Penny does what Penny does best: cause a little chaos.
She squirms out of Freddie’s hold and immediately grabs the sugar packet holder from the table, shaking it like a maraca.
“Shakey, shakey!” she announces, her voice rising as the little packets inside rattle. “Look, Daddy! I’m making astorm!”
Olivia bursts out laughing at Penny’s antics, completely charmed. “You sure are, kiddo,” she says, reaching across thetable and trying to grab the sugar holder from Penny. “But you don’t want to get in trouble with the sugar police, do you?”
“No! I’m making a storm!” Penny insists, refusing to let go of the sugar holder. Her face is scrunched up with concentration as she shakes it harder, making a couple of packets pop out and scatter across the table.
Freddie sighs but can’t help smiling. “She’s got an energy about her.”
Olivia winks. “I can tell.”
As if that wasn’t enough, Penny starts loudly singingTwinkle, Twinkle Little Starat the top of her lungs, her bear tucked under her arm like it’s a microphone.
I cringe but can’t help a little laugh. “Penny…” I say, trying to get her attention. “Maybe not for the entire diner?”
She pauses, looking at me like I’ve just told her she can’t have ice cream for dinner. Then she shrugs and continues her song anyway, not missing a beat.
Olivia’s laughter fills the air, light and infectious. “This kid is a riot,” she says, shaking her head. “You are so lucky to get to babysit her, Ivy.”
I’m about to say something, but Penny cuts me off.
“No!” she says, wagging a finger at me. “I want you to sit! Eat dinner with us!” She looks at Olivia, her eyes wide with absolute sincerity. “You eat with us too, okay?”
I blink at her, completely caught off guard. It’s clear from her pleading expression that she’s serious, and there’s something about her little voice, so full of determination, that I can’t quite say no.
Freddie chuckles, shrugging like it’s not his decision to make. “Is that okay with you guys?”
I glance at Olivia, who’s grinning like she’s been let in on a secret. “Oh, for sure. Penny, you come and sit with me.”
As Freddie and Penny sit down at our table, I can’t help but feel a little surprised at how this doesn’t feel anywhere near as awkward as it should.
