Page 11 of Just Between Us

Now to address Alan. My thumb hovers, poised to type a response when another text pops up.

Alan

For what it’s worth, my dick works perfectly fine. Just not with you.

His text lands like a slap, but I refuse to lob insults back and forth like grenades. After that though, no way in hell will I change that website. I might have been his free labor who was willing to learn how to run his website, but that asshole can hire someone to figure that shit out.

Go to hell, Alan.

My phone continues to vibrate with texts from him, but I flip it over and climb from bed.

I enter Penny’s kitchen to find her sitting at the table, nose ina book, with her cat, Honey, curled up in her lap. She’s still in her pajamas, auburn hair piled on top of her head. When she sees me, she lowers the book and motions to the steaming mug across from her.

“I went ahead and made you some tea. There’s sugar or honey if you want some.” She gestures to a small basket in the middle of the table full of honey sticks and sugar packets. “And I know you aren’t sure how long you’ll be here, but I bought you a housewarming gift.”

Next to the basket sits a Saint Dolly prayer candle and some variety of a houseplant.

“Everyone needs our Patron Saint Dolly in their lives. And the snake plant seemed to fit you,” Penny explains.

Picking up the candle, I grin when I see that under the illustration of Dolly are the words,The higher the hair, the closer to God.

“I love it, Penny. Thank you. And I’ll try to keep the plant alive.” A rush of warmth spreads over me at her thoughtfulness. I don’t know what my brother did in a past life to deserve Penny, but after only knowing her a week I already love her. She’s the definition of Southern hospitality with her gentle kindness and a voice that conjures thoughts of sweet tea and summer nights catching fireflies.

Penny also seems wise, befitting that of a true adult, while the rest of us are merely taller, wearing bigger clothes, pretending to be grown- ups. At least that’s how adulthood feels to me.

Dropping in the chair across from her, I take a tiny sip of my tea, and grab a stick of honey from the basket. I don’t even realize I’m wearing a trace of a smile until Penny puts her book down.

“Something’s different about you today,” she surmises, brown eyes scanning my face. When I won’t make direct eye contact, she gasps. “Oh my god! Did you meet someone? Already?”

I know she doesn’t intend for that “already” to drip withjudgment, and maybe it’s my own guilty conscience projecting. Yes, I am a scant week out of a breakup; I’m fully aware.

“I didn’tmeetsomeone. As you put it. I made a friend.”

“Go on.” Penny rolls her hand, urging me on.

“His name is Liam.” Penny’s eyes widen, but I keep talking. “I went to the bar last night and we hit it off. He even took me for a ride on his bike. Why are you giving me that look?”

“It’s just, well, Liam’s…how do I describe Liam?” She puffs out a breath.

Just then, Austin comes striding in, his shaggy brown hair still sleep-ruffled. “Liam’s a fuck boy. Stay away, Cass. I brought you here to start over, not for a rebound.”

Ouch.

That’s rich coming from someone who I know for a fact has had his fair share of no-strings situations. Yes, I’ve only done long-term relationships, but it appears you’re only allowed to have a carefree night of sex if you have a penis. Noted.

I don’t even try to hide my irritation, nostrils flaring as I poke my tongue into my cheek. Austin has always been overprotective of me, which I find equally annoying and endearing, but since the day I arrived here, he’s been handling me with kid gloves, like he’s the picture of a straight and narrow path. After all he’s been through, I’d expect him to be a little easier on me.

“I don’t need to be managed, Austin. I didn’t come here for that. It’s infantilizing.”

“Austin,” Penny says, her lips set into a line. “Don’t talk about Liam like that. He’s like a little brother to me.”

“Penn, I get it, but come on now.” Austin sighs heavily and cracks several eggs into a dish, whisking in some heavy cream and shredded cheese, before he lays out strips of bacon in another pan. Meanwhile, I’m still fuming, shooting daggers with my eyes at my brother.

“Look, I’m sorry,” he says, over his shoulder. I guess my eye daggers worked. “That was uncalled for. I’m still pissed about the Alan situation.”

“And Cassie,” Penny adds, cutting Austin a look. “I don’t know what you’re looking for, but right now Liam’s not a settle down kind of guy. He’s more the smoke a joint together then eat your weight in powdered donuts together kind of guy.”

“I like powdered donuts,” I interject, and Penny laughs. Even Austin gives a short chuckle.