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“Not always,” I whisper. “I have their exacting standards sometimes. But the thing is… I don’t want to be like them when it comes to affection and making sure the people in my life know that I care. I don’t want you to have to wonder what hoops you have to jump through to keep me wanting you. I want you to know how much you mean to me, and to never have a reason to doubt it.”
Penelope licks her lips, and her expression is earnest. “I do,” she says. “I know. You show me in so many little ways.”
“Good.” Something in me relaxes. Something I didn’t even realize was tense.
She leans up, and I meet her halfway in a tender kiss that lingers for a moment. Her lips curve into a smile against mine, and she shifts her hand up to press over my heart.
“I think you’re just a big softy inside.”
“Don’t push your luck,” I tell her, but the smile on my face is definitely at odds with my words.
She laughs and it ends on a yawn, so it’s not surprising that she drops off to sleep just a bit after that.
The bedroom is quiet, except for the soft breathing of the three people in bed with me. I look at Penelope, her face so relaxed now that we’re back, now that we’re here with her. Myeyes fall on Xavier and Tristan as well, on her other side, both of them sleeping deeply.
The three of us have been business partners for a good bit now, but it’s not just that anymore. Now this goes deeper than business. Even if Vantage crumbled tomorrow, we would be bound by something more. By Penelope and our feelings for her, and by the respect and care we feel for each other.
It hits me all of a sudden that this is pack. This is family. This is something that I managed to build on my own, apart from the expectations that were always placed on me.
It might have started with the merger and the need to not have our board lose their shit on us, but it’s grown into something much more.
I’ve been solitary since I left my parents behind, but this feels so much better. It feels like being a part of something I know I can trust, and that’s new and different for me, but that doesn’t make it bad.
I reach out and touch Penelope’s cheek gently, gazing down at the woman who brought us all together like this. “I’ve never felt this way about anyone before,” I whisper, the words barely audible, like a secret in the dark. “I think I’m falling for you. I think I have been since the first day I saw you.”
No one stirs at my words, and after a second more of looking at her, I finally lie down to sleep myself.
Chapter 40
Penelope
The bakery is coming along so nicely, and every little change that puts it closer to being ready to reopen makes me both happy and nervous.
My dream is finally coming true, and in a better way than the last time I tried this, but there’s always that lingering worry that I’m going to fail again, and this time I’ll only have myself to blame.
But as I get closer to opening day, the part of me that’s afraid gets smaller and smaller.
The walls are painted brightly, the ovens are new and beautiful, and the fridge and back pantry are fully stocked with all the ingredients I’ll need. I’ve had meetings with suppliers, helped by the men and their connections, and I know that when the time comes, I’m going to be ready.
I’m proud of everything I’ve done here, and I stand back, looking around smiling.
This is mine. I’ve had a lot of help, but there’s no shame in that. When we open, it’ll be my recipes and my baking that I’m sharing with people, and all the little personal touches that only I can bring to it.
“Okay,” I mumble to myself. “That’s enough for one day.”
I’ve been here since early in the morning, and I’m exhausted and my feet hurt. Time to go home.
I text the men to let them know I’m done for the day and planning to head home. Of course, they insist on sending Jonas to pick me up. I don’t even argue with them, accepting the offer.
I lock up the bakery and go to stand outside, smiling when Jonas pulls up.
“How are things coming, Ms. Penelope?” he asks.
“Good!” I tell him. “I’m so close to being ready to open I can taste it, and I’m excited and scared all at the same time.”
“That’s normal, I’d think,” he says. “It’s a big thing you’re doing, but I know you’re going to be amazing at it.”
He’s belief in me warms my heart, and I smile at him in the mirror. “You’ll come to the grand opening celebration, won’t you?” I ask him. “I want all the most important people to me to be there.”