Page 51 of That Thing You Brew
“Okay.” She held her flowers to her chest and smiled.
“Got it?” I said to the video guy.
“Got it. Great moment.”
I turned back to Penny.“I’ll text you,”I mouthed.
She nodded and waved goodbye as I walked out. I turned around at the door to blow her a kiss. She caught in the air and lightly touched her lips.
Yes!
I snuck a glance at the message on the way to my car. Penny had drawn three hearts like those little candies with the messages on them, and written on each: BE MINE, ALL IN, and HAT TRICK.
Challenge accepted.
Twelve more days, and we’d be living together. I couldn’t wait to have her by my side and in my life as much as possible.
Both Dad and Penny had opined about wasted time, and they were right. You never got it back.
Three years was long enough to languish.
It was time to thrive.
Together.
As I celebrated my third goal with my linemates at the final horn of the game, hats raining down on us, I thought of Penny first, how she challenged me to be my best in the kindest and most encouraging ways.
Penny was more than the source of my luck.
She was my everything.
CHAPTER18
Penny
Valentine’s Day
Xavier had Valentine’s Day off, and I was a little bummed that I’d already agreed to play at the Biddingtons’ Sweethearts Ball. But I reminded myself where that money was going and that in a week’s time, I’d have all the time with Xavier I wanted.
So we’d had a romantic indoor picnic at his place instead, in the office, which he’d emptied for me to use as a music room. He’d also moved all his workout equipment and desk to the smaller bedroom, leaving the larger one with an en suite bathroom for me.
Xavier kissed me goodbye at my door, and I promised to call him before I went to bed, no matter how late I arrived home. With any luck, I’d be home by eleven, since I could leave after my last set.
I’d earn five hundred dollars tonight, and I planned to give it all to Tasha to help with expenses. The landlord had sent us a letter the other day, thanking us for paying off the balance for the rest of theyear.We suspected Xavier was our benefactor, but he didn’t ’fess up, likely because he knew we’d try to pay him back.
I took one last look in my full-length mirror. I’d braided my hair while it was wet last night and only just now combed out the waves. A faux-flower circlet with long, streaming ribbons sat atop my head, and I’d applied just enough makeup to highlight my features in photos. When I arrived at the venue, I’d cinch the flowy bell-sleeved summer gown with an embroidered vest and add a pink overskirt and my wine-red velvet cloak to stay warm if there was a chill on the stage.
“How do I look?” I poked my head into Tasha’s bathroom. She was getting ready for a Galentine’s night with her single cheer coach friends.
Her eyes flicked to me in the mirror as she held her curling iron in place. “Stunning, as usual.” She smiled as she released the hair on the barrel and wound the next section. “Too bad Xavier won’t see you tonight. You’ll have all the men’s attention on you, for sure.”
I frowned. “Maybe I’ll leave the cloak on, even if it’s hot, then.” I’d often had hecklers and propositions at the Ren Faire, but security didn’t let anyone near me. I was sure the Biddingtons’ event would be the same, but I certainly didn’t want to appear provocative.
“Oh, nothing like that,” she assured me. “You’ll be fine. Trust me.” She quickly looked away, back to the mirror and her curling.
That was a curious reaction. “Okay … Well, thank you. I guess I’ll be going now. Have fun?”
“I’ll try.”
