Page 96 of Falling for Keeps

“As it should be,” I mutter, trying to tamp down my elation.

Her attention shifts down to Penny again. “Have you had a good day?”

Penny grins. “It’s been the best!”

Relief floods me. Ever since that weird moment on the phone with her mom, I’ve been worried about Penny and, more specifically, what Jen told her to make her so upset. Her attitude today has been like that never happened. She’s been thrilled to spend time with Maven and Ben and some of the other local kids. We saw Molly at the chili cook off and she invited Penny to play Monday after school, so things are progressing in a good, healthy way. We’re slowly settling in and spreading our roots out, hoping they’ll stick.

I watch as Penny and Emma discuss the merits of pumpkin-flavored cookies and whether they’re best eaten with hot chocolate or apple cider.

“We could try them both,” Penny says. “Then we’ll really know.”

Emma laughs. “Brilliant idea. I have an easy recipe that only takes three ingredients. Maybe you can come over this week sometime and we’ll make them.”

“Can we, Dad?” Penny asks.

“You have the straw maze Monday after school with Molly, remember?”

“Tuesday I have book club,” Emma says. “Maybe Wednesday?”

“Works for us.” I hold her eyes.

Emma blushes, looking down at Penny. “I can’t wait.”

“I’ll bring my tool belt,” I say.

“You have one of those?”

“No…I just meant⁠—”

“Yeah, I know. We’ll work on my bathroom.” Emma smiles, but she shakes her head. “I told you we can worry about it once everything has settled.”

“And I told you to stop putting everyone else above you.”

We face off until Penny says, “Okay, that was weird. Are you guys fighting?”

“No, Nickel. We’re teasing each other.”

Her eyes narrow in on me. “Why?”

The better question is why she’s acting so suspicious. “Want to dance, Pen?”

“Not yet.” She starts looking around. “Ben said he would dance with me.”

“Then I’m sure he will.”

“Meanwhile, I was going to ask Emma if she wanted to dance.”

“Okay. I’ll find Nana,” Penny says, running off.

“Wow.” Emma takes a step closer and bumps my shoulder. “She didn’t even wait to see if I want to dance with you. That’s a lot of assumptions.”

“Don’t you?” I flash a smile at her, and she seems to get stuck in it.

“Yeah, fine, I do.” Emma’s space invades mine, bringing whiffs of apple and sweetness and a steady dose of warmth. Once my arms are around her and she’s leaning on me in a socially appropriate way, I feel whole again. Penny found my mom, and I note them together before letting Emma invade my senses entirely.

I’d love to get this woman alone in a room where we have no spectators, but this is a second-best option. Actually, we don’t even have to be alone. I’d love an entire evening in her company with Penny, because the three of us seem to work smoothly together. Penny is as comfortable with Emma as she is with my mom, sister, and Ben, and that’s saying something.

Ben’s words run through my mind. Do you love her? Then you put in the work. It should be that simple.