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CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT

GOLDEN BOY

ADELINE

“Are you ready for your golden birthday party?” I ask Sam at breakfast.

It’s September twelfth and Sam is twelve today.

“I can’t believe you’re twelve,” Penn says wistfully.

“I’m ready,” Sam says, stuffing his face with scrambled eggs and then barely swallowing before he takes a huge bite of waffle. I swear it’s like I can see him growing taller right before my eyes.

“What if we go out for a little while?” Penn suggests. “Lunch at Starlight Cafe? Or at least a stop into Serendipity? It’s such a nice day out.”

“That sounds good to me,” Sam says.

“Can I have a strawberry shake?” Winnie asks.

There’s still a giddy feeling in the air when Winnie speaks, even though she’s been doing it for a while now.

“Absolutely,” Penn says, reaching out to bop her nose.

She giggles and it’s the best sound in the world. Watching her personality break out more all the time is one of the most fulfilling things I’ve experienced.

“Isn’t the Pop-Up Market going on this weekend?” I ask.

“Oh yeah, you’re right. Even better.” Penn grins at me. “How soon can we go?”

Sam starts eating faster and I laugh. “There’s time to chew your food. I think as soon as we’re done eating and brushing teeth, we can go…”

Silver Hills is buzzing when we park and walk down Jupiter Lane. The Pixie Pop-Up Market is in full swing, and everyone is out and about, laughing and chatting on the sidewalks instead of hanging out inside the shops.

Clara’s standing outside Luminary Coffeehouse and waves when she sees us coming.

“There’s the perfect family to start off the dancing,” she calls.

“Are we sure about that?” Penn asks. “We might cause too much of a commotion.”

“Like you would ever mind that,” she says, laughing.

Penn’s smile grows. “Guess you’ve got a point there. And it’s Sam’s birthday, so I think it’s the best day for a little dancing.”

Clara cues up “Uptown Funk” by Mark Ronson and Bruno Mars on her phone, and the second that familiar beat hits, we all spring into action. Even Winnie.

Sam holds out his hand to her and spins her around and her head falls back as she laughs.

Penn busts out a smooth shoulder roll thing that makes me stop mid-step because he is still managing to surprise me with his moves.

Sam grins from ear to ear, and when Penn does a high kick that almost takes Clara’s head off, Sam bursts out laughing.

I join in, stepping in sync with Penn and Winnie, until we’re all moving together in a weird little flash mob.

At the end, Penn lowers me in a dramatic dip, low enough that I’m clutching his shirt to keep from tipping over.

We’re all out of breath when Clara raises her hands over her head and cheers with the rest of the crowd who’s gathered.

“That was perfect,” Clara sings. “You guys win.”

“What did we win?” Sam asks excitedly.

“Free drinks.”

“Come on, Clara. We’ll pay,” Penn says, handing her the cash. “But I am proud of that high kick.”

Winnie giggles and we all grin at her.

“And how about our Winnie dancing her little heart out?” Penn says.

She wraps her arms around his waist and looks up at him. Yeah, she’s managed to fall madly in love with Penn too. She reaches out her hand to me and I go over there and hug them both, tugging Sam into the fold.

“Such a beautiful family,” Clara says, sniffling. She clears her throat and waves a hand over her eyes. “Goodness, it’s windy out here.”

We sip our coffees and hot chocolates as we drift through the market, picking up a few trinkets—a beaded bracelet for Winnie, a cool wooden carving of a dog for Sam, and a gorgeous kite that Sam says will be legendary by the water.

Eventually we end up at Serendipity’s booth for shakes and Greer and Wyndham burst into song when they see Sam.

“How does everyone know it’s my birthday?” Sam laughs, his cheeks pink.

“It’s big news around here,” Penn says, shrugging. “Our boy is twelve .”

Every time he says it, he looks like he might cry, but he snaps out of it.

Greer and Wyndham give Sam an enormous chocolate shake with whipped cream, sprinkles, and sparklers sticking out of the top, and Winnie is happy with her strawberry shake with fresh strawberries and whipped cream.

A little bit later when we pass Pet Galaxy, Sam’s eyes light up. “Oh! Can we go in?”

Penn and I exchange a tentative look. Every time we’re around our friends and their pets, Sam and Winnie are in heaven. They love animals.

“This is dangerous territory,” Penn whispers.

“Yeah, it’s all fun and games until someone falls in love with a creature,” I whisper back.

But Sam’s already looking at us with those big eyes, and Winnie’s pressing her hands together under her chin like a cartoon princess.

“Okay,” Penn says. “But we’re not leaving with any animals.”

“Mm-hmm,” I chime in.

Famous last words.

We picked the worst time to stop in…well, depending on who you ask.

Because it’s pet adoption day at Pet Galaxy, which means there are dogs wagging their tails in crates, and cats lounging on plush beds or chasing each other.

Jerry, the guy who’s been at Pet Galaxy for as long as I can remember, is chatting with all the customers.

Sam and Winnie walk toward the pen of kittens when suddenly Sam stops short.

When Penn sees what he’s looking at, he lets out a terrified, “Ahhh!” He shakes his head. “No. What is that?”

Big ears. Wrinkled, hairless body. One green eye and one blue eye.

“I’ve never seen a Sphynx cat in real life,” Sam breathes.

“Oh, hell no,” Penn says.

“She’s beautiful ,” Winnie whispers in awe.

“She’s terrifying,” Penn argues, shuddering.

Jerry ambles over, smiling at us. “I see you’re admiring our majestic Jezebel.”

I laugh at the name.

“She’s been here a few weeks.” Jerry shakes his head sadly. “No one seems to want her.”

“Nobody wants her?” Sam repeats, his eyes going wide.

My heart clenches. Oh no.

“Aww,” Winnie says, stepping closer. “I want her.”

“Me too,” Sam says softly.

“Aw, hell,” Penn mutters. He looks at me, resigned. “That’d be crazy, right?”

I laugh. “Completely. But we seem to be all about the crazy.”

He leans in. “I’ve never seen anything scarier looking than that thing.” He stares at the cat like it might launch itself at his throat.

“It’s hard to not be wanted,” Sam says quietly.

Penn curses under his breath. “Yank my heartstrings into a fist, why don’t you?”

Jerry opens the pen, and the cat stretches lazily before hopping out and walking straight toward Sam and Winnie. Sam sits on the floor, and the cat climbs into his lap without hesitation, curling up like she was always meant to be there. Winnie strokes her back, and the cat starts to purr.

“Oh no,” Penn says.

“Oh yes,” I reply, smiling as I watch Sam’s face soften.

Penn sighs deeply, rubbing the back of his neck. “Guess we’re getting a cat.”

Sam and Winnie cheer. Jezebel looks up at them coolly and lets out a long, contented sigh before nestling back into Sam’s arms.

“Welcome to the family,” I say, reaching out to pet Jezebel. My nose scrunches when I feel her. It’ll take time to get used to her wrinkly skin.

But what else is new with us? Every day feels like we’re diving into a new adventure.

Penn eyes the cat with a mix of fear and reluctance. Sam stands up and holds Jezebel within reach of Penn.

“Pet her,” he says. “She feels so weird, but it’s awesome.”

Penn reluctantly pets her and shudders again. “Ohhh, I don’t know about this,” he groans.

We all laugh at him and he jumps when the cat nuzzles into his hand. He puts his other hand on his heart and exhales.

“Not gonna need to work out with this lady around. She’s got my heart rate pumping.”

Sam’s birthday party is in full swing, and I’m leaning against Penn’s chest as we watch Sam.

He’s got that big, easy smile on his face, the one that makes my chest feel like it’s about to crack open.

Obviously, he has us both wrapped around his little finger.

Penn has been doing jump scares every time he sees Jezebel in the house, and it’s freaking hilarious.

Sam is holding a football and throws a spiral at Cassidy like it’s nothing. She’s giving Sam her undivided attention and he can’t stop smiling.

“I think Cassidy is looking at Sam a little differently today,” Penn says, tipping his head toward them.

“Isn’t she a few years older than him? I mean that’d be so cute, but...” I smile up at Penn. “Who knows? Maybe they’ll date when they’re older.”

“Oh, I think it’s guaranteed,” Penn says, smirking. “He’s got charm.” He sighs. “I’ve taught him well.”

I roll my eyes. “Good thing I’m around to balance him out.”

“What are we talking about over here?” Elle steps up and takes a bite of her cupcake.

“We’re watching Sam and Cassidy together and wondering if they’ll ever sneak out and date,” I fill her in.

“I can see it.” She nods. “Childhood friends-to-lovers, and she’s the grump to his sunshine. And age gap. Or …” she draws it out. “He could surprise us all and end up with Audrey.” She waves her hand. “Plot twist. Sister’s ex-boyfriend. Oh! Or Gracie! Oh my God, what if it’s Gracie!”

I clutch my heart. “That’s so Laurie and Amy from Little Women ! I don’t know if my heart could take it.”

Penn laughs. “Should we be worried that Elle is scripting our children’s future romantic drama?”

My heart warms when he says our children . “Absolutely,” I say without hesitation.

She loves that, her shoulders shaking as she laughs.

“What can I say? It’s in my blood.” She takes a bite of her cupcake and eyes Sam and Cassidy again.

“They’ve got good chemistry. But,” she points at Gracie, who is leaping in the air catching bubbles nearby, “honestly, I think Gracie’s the wild card. ”

“Interesting,” Penn says. He points at Elle. “Your mind is a scary and informative place.”

She winks and points back at him. “Don’t you forget it.”

The house is finally quiet. I’m standing at the sink in my tank and shorts, rinsing the last of the dishes with Penn, when he turns off the water and moves behind me.

“Hey,” I murmur, drying my hands.

“Hey.” His voice is soft and warm, and threaded with something deeper.

His hands slide under my shirt, palms gliding up my skin until they reach my breasts.

I turn to face him and he leans his forehead against mine.

“It was a good day,” he says.

“A great day. Sam was so happy.”

“Yeah, I love seeing him like this. Winnie too.”

“It’s really hot when you’re in full dad-mode.”

He pulls my shirt over my head and bends down to tongue my nipple over the lace. “Yeah? You like dad-mode?”

“Very much,” I gasp.

He puts his hands on my hips and lifts me, kissing me as my legs wind around his waist. I tug at his shirt, pulling it off. He leans me against the wall, kissing me deeper. My head tips back and his mouth trails down my neck, tasting the skin there. My breath hitches.

“Penn,” I breathe, nails scraping lightly against the back of his neck.

“I’ve been wanting to do this all day,” he says, pressing against me. I tighten my legs around him and drag my nails down his stomach.

“Bedroom?” I ask, my mouth against his ear.

“How about here and then bedroom?”

I whimper and our bodies tangle together, fevered and rushed. I grip his shoulders as he tugs down my shorts, and when he slides his fingers between my thighs, he pulls back to stare at me.

“I love how you feel.”

I arch against him.

“My favorite place,” he says, as he slides a finger inside. “You. Are. My. Favorite. Place.”

My head drops back against the wall, and he watches as he works me slowly, teasing me toward the edge with another finger.

My eyes flutter closed, but when his thumb rubs circles against me too, I struggle to open them. He watches me with full concentration, his body attuned to mine. Just as I’m getting so close, he pulls his hand away, and I let out a frustrated sound, which makes him grin.

Cocky bastard.

He slides his sweats down and lifts me higher as he lines us up.

My eyes go wide when he sinks into me. “Oh, God?—”

He has every right to be a cocky bastard. The guy has awakened my body like no one ever before. There’s just no comparison to be made.

“I needed to feel that pussy so bad,” he says, his voice going raspy as he thrusts into me, slow and deep.

My legs shake, and my nails drag down his back. He buries his face in my neck, holding me steady.

“Penn,” his name spills from my mouth, breathy.

I tug his hair hard enough to make him groan and he presses me harder into the wall, angling deeper, encouraging me when I tighten around him.

“That’s it. I want to feel everything when you fall apart,” he says. “You’re so good, Addy. So perfect.”

I tremble, my body tensing as I shatter around him, and it pulls him over the edge right after me. He buries so deep inside, and the aftershocks burn through me.

Our breaths are shaky as we stare at each other.

“I don’t want to ever let you go,” he says.

“Please don’t,” I whisper.

“Do you mean it?” His eyes search mine and I nod.

“With all my heart.”

“I love you,” he whispers. “God, I can’t believe that I found you and that I love you so goddamn much.”

I grin. “You weren’t expecting me?”

He shakes his head. “I never saw you coming.” He leans in and gives me a long, scorching kiss. When we pull apart, he looks dazed. “I’ve never been so happy to be proven wrong.”

Eventually, we gather our clothes and put them back on before quietly going upstairs. We check on the kids and when we peek in Sam’s room, Penn clamps his hand over his mouth to shush the yelp that came out of him when he sees Jezebel lying on Sam’s bed, staring up at us in the dark.

“ Fuck, that cat is going to make me old before my time.” He backs out of the room quickly, and I try not to wake the kids up with how hard I’m laughing.