Page 9 of Penny & Royce

“Usually something with a higher risk of bodily injury.”

“I could see that.”

He grinned. “I’ve been skydiving, rock climbing without special gear, drag racing?—”

She held up a hand. “You have a death wish. I get it.”

He chuckled, the sound lower than usual. Penny sucked in a quiet breath, and he had to work not to grin like an idiot.

So he wasn’t the only one feeling this.

“One day,” he said, “I’m going to talk you into something just a little reckless.”

“Is that right?”

“Within reason.” He lifted both hands. “No rock climbing without gear. I’ll wear it when I’m with you.”

“That’s good to know.”

“I thought it might be.”

A smile broke through, quick and reluctant, and it hit him harder than it should have.

She shook her head and dug in her purse for her keys. When she retrieved them, a slip of paper fell to the asphalt at her feet.

Royce bent and picked it up before thinking better of it. His eyes caught the list before he could stop himself.

Go out and have fun on my own.

Dance with a stranger.

Do something out of character.

Get a puppy? Or maybe a cat would be better…

Be reckless.

Fall in love.

His chest gave a strange, hopeful tug.

The woman before him craved more.

Penny snatched the paper from his hands, her face flaming red.

“Sorry,” he said quickly. “I shouldn’t have read that.”

“No, you shouldn’t have.”

He nodded once, accepting the hit. “You’re right.”

That seemed to disarm her more than if he’d argued. She looked down at the list, then tucked it into her purse like it had betrayed her.

Royce rubbed the back of his neck. “For what it’s worth, it’s a good list.”

Her eyes lifted to his. “You think so?”

“I do.”