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“But you’ll find a way,” Bash said, reaching for her. She’d hugged the other two. It would look odd if she didn’t hug him, too. But she lingered, drawing from his strength.
“Are you okay?” she whispered. He felt off. Usually, his shoulders relaxed when they hugged, and his heart raced. He smelled a bit like Tiny, the timid Great Dane at the shelter who’d taken a fancy to Bash.
Tiny spent most of her day plastered against the back wall of her kennel. A truck driver had found her wandering near the highway and called the state troopers, who’d picked her up and brought her to the shelter. They’d called Nanna in to examine her, and she’d said Tiny had looked like a criminal riding in the back seat. She was skin and bones, dehydrated, and had a nasty cut on her back leg. She wasn’t chipped, and no one knew where she came from, but they knew it hadn’t been good.
Bash had come to the shelter with Penny a few times to help walk the dogs and socialize with them. Tiny had limped toward Bash during playtime in the exercise room, leaning on him when Bash rubbed her large ears. Bash sat down and the Great Dane sprawled on top of him, sighing. Penny hadn’t known who’d been more surprised, man or beast, but they suited each other.
Tiny’s leg had healed, and her coat looked healthier, but no one had shown a genuine interest in her. She’d overheard one prospective owner say Tiny was too much to take on, and she needed an easier, more malleable dog. But the bigger the challenge, the bigger the reward, Penny thought, hugging the challenge wrapped around her.
“I’m fine,” Bash said, giving her a quick, tight smile. Her hand slid into his and she gave it a gentle squeeze. He wasn’t fine, but she wanted him to know she was here for him.
Cal looked at their joined hands and rolled his eyes. “He told you?” she looked between the two men. Bash had wanted to tell Cal weeks ago, but she’d asked him not to. Until she figured out how she felt, she hadn’t wanted it open for family debate and speculation. And she knew everyone would have an opinion about their grumpy sunshine dynamic. Plus, Elspeth would be unbearable to work with.
“No. It was obvious. But don’t worry, he’s been warned.”
“It’s all good, baby brother, so you can stand down.” Penny hoped Five heard the reassurance and warning in her tone. She wouldn’t let him come between her and Bash. Regardless of the magical challenge he posed, they had something worth exploring and building on. She didn’t know how they would, what with him in New York City and her here, or if he was even interested. But she was, and she needed to tell him. Sometime, but not now. She didn’t want to rock the boat before he left for the Tetons’ extended road trip.
Cal chuckled. “I’m worried about Bash, not you. You have a reputation.”
“Had a reputation,” Bash corrected him, and Penny fell a little more as her heart soared. He sounded like a man who was interested in building a relationship.
“It’s about time,” Gloria Sebastian said, approaching them. Penny felt the dark cloud surrounding her. Gloria’s mood had been bright and upbeat for most of the day, but now it was a dark mix of black and green, reminiscent of Bash’s colors when she’d first met him. “I’d expected you at the Q and A.” Does she know him?
“Practice,” Bash said, and Penny winced at his one-word answer.
“Well, you’re here now,” Gloria said, sounding disapproving as Bash quickly kissed her on the cheek. She wrinkled her nose. “Oh, Sebastian, you smell like a dog. It’s almost as bad as that horrid body spray from your high school years.” Sebastian? She’s known him since high school?
Gloria brushed at his T-shirt. “I wasn’t expecting a suit and tie, but you look like a thug for hire straight out of one of my books.” Gloria smiled, and her colors lightened. She’s torn between amusement and disappointment. Penny inched closer to Bash, wanting to protect him from Gloria.
She didn’t know how they knew each other, but she sensed it was a close but difficult relationship. An aunt would be right. Penny felt tingles up her spine as her magic dialed into the mood. She hadn’t felt this buzzed in months. The only thing throwing her off was the negative vibes coming from Five and Lucas. If not for their Debbie-downer moods, she was sure she could lean into Gloria’s mind and discover the truth. Bash was still closed to her.
“It’s a bit more casual here.”
“I see that.” She turned and smiled at Lucas and Five. “I know Penny, who wasn’t what I expected, but introduce me to your associates before I go back to the table and sign more books.” She knew about me?
Bash took a deep breath, and Penny swore she heard him groan before he introduced them as his friends. Gloria chatted with them, and Penny relaxed. This was the charming Gloria she’d spent most of the day with, not the cold, disapproving woman who’d greeted Bash. Lucas mentioned they were roommates and teammates and shared an abbreviated version of the cooking contest. Gloria smiled at Bash, looking happy and proud. Penny had whiplash from the woman’s mood swings.
“Yes, John and I read about the contest and the fire online. Our son isn’t very forthcoming.” Bash squeezed his fingers against hers, but Penny tugged free, and wrapped her arms around herself. Son? Our son? If Gloria Sebastian is his mother, that would make John Vander Vetter his father. Bash is the heir to Vander Vetter Publishing? None of this made sense.
“In his defense, it was a small fire,” Cal said.
Gloria cocked her eyebrow. Just like Bash does. “I saw the picture of the torched kitchen and the two of you shirtless, so don’t tell me it was a little fire.” Gloria sighed, but her dark mood was no match for Penny’s. She couldn’t read Bash, and she hadn’t seen he was a liar. He’d played her the whole time. Her magic had epically failed her. “I should go, before Elspeth hunts me down and drags me back to the signing table. Will I see more of you in San Francisco?” Gloria asked, turning hopeful eyes to Bash.
“That’s the plan,” Bash said. She said her goodbyes to Lucas and Cal, and she told Cal to point the football toward the owner’s box if he caught a touchdown in San Francisco.
“You mean when I catch a touchdown,” Cal said to her.
Gloria chuckled and looked at Bash. “I like athletes. Maybe we should collaborate in the off-season?”
“So, you can slowly murder a football team? I don’t think so.”
“I’ve always toyed with romance. Maybe I could be the next Susan Elizabeth Phillips and create a world filled with sexy football players.”
“If anyone can, it’s you, but leave me out of it.”
“For now.” Gloria winked, and Bash rolled his eyes.
“Can I get you a cup of mint tea before I leave?” he asked her.
