Page 29 of Bonfire and Bliss Bookstore

“Does that mean you’ve thought about my offer?”

Penny’s eyes go wide and she shakes her head dramatically. “I wasn’t— You didn’t— I’m sure you weren’t serious.”

I chuckle and press a hand to her back, steering her toward the kitchen. “Relax, Xuxuzinho, it’s just me.”

“Exactly,” she mutters.

Once we’re in the kitchen, I hold out a hand to take the flowers as Penny glances around the space. “Where is Vovo?”

“She just ran to the store.”

She frowns, handing over the bouquet before pulling her green T-shirt away from her chest. “Is it hot in here? Gosh, I can’t wait until the weather finally cools down.”

I shake my head with a chuckle. She’s adorably flustered, and I love it. It makes me feel better about how my own heart is racing being this close to her. “Would you like a drink? Maybe something cold?”

“I should go.” Penny glances back toward the door. “Like you said, you’re writing.”

I know I should be writing, but I don’t want her to leave, either.

“I was actually thinking about going to write down by the water,” I say before adding, “under the maple tree.”

I wonder if she remembers all the afternoons we spent beneath the old tree. All the bonfire nights when everyone else gathered around the flames while I slipped away to find Penny beneath the crescent moon, a book in her hand, wishing for just a few quiet minutes by her side.

There’s a serious underappreciation for dating in silence.

Is that what she meant?

I risk a glance at her now, watching as her golden eyes drift toward the backyard. “Oh yeah?”

“Would you maybe want to sit out there with me while I write?” I ask. “I know you used to like reading under the tree.”

Penny looks back at me, and I watch as her shoulders settle. “I have to get to the store.”

“Right. Of course.” Dumb idea. She’s got a real job and it’s not keeping me company. “Could we talk about last night before you go?”

Penny’s gaze drops and she kicks her boot against the floor. “Is this about the photo of us in the town chat? It’s fine. If we ignore them for long enough I’m sure something else will come up and they’ll move on. Or I can just take Eli up on his offer and pretend to date him. No need to get you involved in any more of my mess.”

I don’t even know what she’s talking about but fuck if I want that to happen. I walk toward her until we’re toe to toe, then tap my boot against hers. When she lets out a quick breath, like she’s bracing herself to look up, something snaps inside me. I’m doing this all wrong.

With the gentlest touch I can manage, I press my finger to her chin and tip it up until those golden eyes meet mine.

I drop my finger and step back. “What’s in the town chat, Xuxuzinho?”

“You didn’t see it yet?”

“No, there were too many messages. I silenced it last night.”

She laughs but there’s no sound, just a huff of air. “Your first mistake. Or the smartest thing you’ve done since you got here.”

No, that’d be almost kissing you.

I should have done it. Should have pressed my lips to hers. I could do it now. Could answer all these questions swirling in my head, how she’d taste, how she’d react, what would happen next…if I’d take that leap.

I don’t, though. I just look at her for a beat. Penny is striking. Her molten eyes, contrasting so beautifully with her auburn hair, shine like jewels. Her expression always tells a story, every thought etched across her face. She’s always thinking, always dreaming.

Penny shifts and steps closer before she reaches into her jeans and pulls out her phone. Her elbow bumps against mine and she offers me a conciliatory smile before scrolling through her texts.

I try not to be nosy and look at the other names in her phone—try being the operative word—and I’m pleasantly surprised when I only see Tally, Mom, the town chat, and another chat with Rosie and Tally.