Billionaire Protector - Alexa Hart Page 0,16

I was ashamed of being a Hardick. It was embarrassing – having all this money and never having done anything for it. It was the reason I worked so hard every day. I wanted to feel like I’d earned my place on this planet.

“Okay, Penn, okay. No need to get upset. I must admit though, that two young adults making plans together and not sharing their full names – neither of them – has a quality of odd to it. But that is just my perception. I know why you don’t share your name. I do not know why she didn’t share hers. That is all,” my father continued, unalarmed. He chuckled then. “You must really like this girl. When is the last time you brought a date to any of our family events?”

I ran a hand through my dark hair. “Couldn’t tell ya. It’s been years.”

“It has,” he agreed, his eyes seeming to smile along with his mouth. Deep-set wrinkles formed from years of laughter crinkled up and down his face.

“I’m sure I’ll find out her last name, Dad. I’m not worried about it,” I told him firmly.

“Aren’t you, though?” He took me off guard with those words, knowing me almost better than I know myself.

I wouldn’t admit it (and I didn’t have to – Dad could tell), but it did worry me. Maybe “worry” wasn’t the right word. It intrigued me. It wasn’t like I could just go Google “Anne” and find out the missing information. Billions of people had that name. But weirder, and more troublesome to my subconscious, was the fact that although it wasn’t really that huge of a faux pas to go on a first date with someone whose last name you didn’t know (especially in these modern days of social media and cyber friends) – something about Anne had seemed mysterious. Off.

“I just met her. I’ll find out. It’s not a big deal,” I repeated, somewhat heatedly. I almost never spoke to my father this way.

“Do you think she’s prepared to deal with a Hardick event? Does she even have a clue about what she’s stepping into?” Dad pushed further, unfazed by my tone.

I ran over my already foggy memory of how, exactly, I had invited Anne to the party. I’d left a lot out. She was probably envisioning a family barbecue, not a glamorous city gathering. I hadn’t even told her that she’d want to dress up. She absolutely did not know what she would be stepping into.

“It’ll be fine, Dad. She’ll be fine.”

“Of course, it will, Penn. But you might want to give her a heads up of some sort. Think of how uncomfortable you are at all of the parties and benefits that we attend – and you know exactly what to expect.” It was a decent point. My father was wise if he was anything. I normally found it comforting – a calm voice of reason that I could always count on to anchor the Hardick household.

But in this moment, I found it annoying. I knew I was frustrated with myself, more than anything, for having conveyed so little to the pretty girl at Kate’s Hardware (and gleaned even less). I would call her tomorrow – at the store – and at least paint a slightly clearer picture for her.

And why would she give you the store number? She must have a cell phone. Everybody has a cell phone. Avonlea has a cell phone, and she’s only six. Why would Anne only let you contact her at the store?

But there were still incredibly private people in the world, internet or not. Pierce and Payden were perfect examples. Handing out your number to a guy you just met may have seemed like a bad idea to a young girl like Anne. She was being smart.

What else is she being, Penn? Why do you get that knot in your gut? Why are the hairs on your arms standing up? Why did she freeze when you asked her for her name?

And she certainly had frozen. Not just hesitated – froze.

Just like the horses do... that was what it reminded you of. That was a fear freeze, and you know it.

“Well, I look forward to meeting this Anne. She must be remarkable to have caught an eye like yours,” Dad said finally, interrupting my thoughts, but still smiling pleasantly.

“An eye like mine, Dad?” I was prepared for another soliloquy.

“An eye that has seen many beautiful things, yet has never been impressed by anything,”