Playing at Forever - By Michelle Brewer Page 0,55

only inches from hers.

“Do you concede?” he asked.

“You win,” she wasn’t even sure what he won, and a big part of her was afraid to find out.

Tommy stepped back unexpectedly, averting his eyes.

Well, at least one of them was being responsible today, she scolded herself.

“So—should I…I don’t know, should I move in?”

“I don’t see why not.” He shrugged his shoulders. “I mean, it’s plenty big for the both of us.”

“That’s what I was thinking too.” She smiled awkwardly, looking around the room. A few moments passed before she thought of something to say. “So—were you going to be able to come to the benefit dinner?”

“Oh right—that was this weekend, wasn’t it?” Penny nodded. For as long as they’d had the restaurant, they had always hosted a dinner to benefit saving the arts in schools.

“If you can’t make it, it’s not a problem—Amy and Paul will be there.”

“No, I wouldn’t miss it for anything.” He almost sounded eager. “I mean, look how much I benefited from the arts.”

“Good, I was hoping you’d say that.” The thought of spending the evening with Kevin and Gina was not a pleasant one.

“Have you spoken with Kevin about buying him out yet?” Penny shook her head.

“I’m planning on telling him within the next few days.” She dreaded the conversation, knowing he was going to make a big deal out of Tommy’s money. But she knew it was necessary. Gina hadn’t even come to work since Penny had returned.

“Good. The lawyers are already drawing up the paperwork, aren’t they?” She nodded. That part, she had already taken care of—mostly because Tommy had insisted.

“Don’t forget, it’s a black-tie event.” Penny added belatedly, only trying to fill the air so that they didn’t stand there awkwardly.

“Oh, don’t you worry—I’ll be dressed to impress.”

Penny didn’t doubt that for a second.

She wore a simple black dress that just barely grazed the floor—something Diego had picked out for her, no doubt. Her hair was pinned up in some crazy up-do she had created out of boredom, her makeup subtle, exactly how the girls at the salon had showed her.

She felt pretty, which was how she was supposed to feel, according to Amy.

That didn’t mean she felt confident, however.

For some reason, she wasn’t looking forward to the evening at all, though she wasn’t sure why. Well, that wasn’t entirely accurate. It might’ve had a little something to do with the fact that she was going to share her news with Kevin tonight. She knew the timing was inappropriate, but she didn’t want to wait any longer.

With a heavy sigh, Penny turned away from the mirror and left the bathroom. A knock sounded on the door and a moment later, Tommy pushed it open. “Everything decent?”

“Nope, I haven’t even gotten dressed yet.” She didn’t miss the way he turned his head ever-so-slightly, as if to sneak a peek. “I saw that!”

“I think you forget that I am a guy, Penny. Some things are natural for me.” Penny rolled her eyes. She’d heard that speech before.

“Right, it’s natural for a man to want to spread his seed. We women just don’t understand evolution, isn’t that right?”

“Well, I wouldn’t put it like that.” Tommy grinned and Penny rolled her eyes. “I’m kidding, of course.”

“Sure you are.” She meant to for her tone to be playful, but instead it came out sounding much more abrasive.

“Hey, we don’t have to go to this thing if you don’t want to.”

“No, we can go.” As much as she didn’t want to, she knew she was obligated. She would make it through the night—it couldn’t be that bad, could it?

“Well, the car is waiting, if you’re ready.”

“We’d better go then. I don’t want to be late.”

They had plenty of time, she knew. But she was hoping to talk to Kevin before everything began—quick and painless, just like a band-aid.

Couples were just beginning to arrive as they pulled up and she felt several pairs of eyes turn toward Tommy and herself as they stepped out of the vehicle. She was beginning to tire of always being the center of attention.

Every one of these people read the tabloids. She and Tommy were an item now—was it really that hard to believe?

It could have something to do with the way Tommy looked in his simple tuxedo. She had to admit, it was definitely enough to distract her.

Or they might have been looking toward the flashes of light from all of the cameras that started going the moment they came into view.

It wasn’t fair