Page 34 of Newcomer

Not just that, he told me how to get around his mom’s influence in order to help Arlo. If he’s not a decent person, why would he care?

On my way from dropping Ava off at Fletcher’s on Saturday morning, I call Penny. She answers with her usual chirpy voice, which I know today is from having spent a rare night in Asher’s arms.

“Hey, babe. Ready for your date?”

“It’s not a date. We’re clearing out the—”

“The area Arlo is going to use for the painting classes, blah blah, yeah I know, you said it before. I’ll ask again, are you ready for your date?”

“You’re incorrigible,” I say, shaking my head even though she can’t see me.

“Nope, I just want to see you happy, and something tells me Arlo is the man to make that happen. Anyway, you called me, so I take it you need something. Tips on how to satisfy your man in bed? How to suppress your gag reflex?”

I snort. “Thank you for your support, but I don’t need help with any of those things. Thank you very much.”

“Hey, don’t be cocky. We all need help sometimes.”

“I’m not cocky. I’m skilled. Big difference.”

She laughs.

“Anyway, I’m calling because I need a favor.”

“Shoot.”

“Can you ask Asher for Jayden’s phone number?”

I stop at a red light, which makes the silence on the other side of the call feel much louder than when I was driving.

“Penny?”

“Sorry, I’m here…Levi, are you sure you want this?”

I let out a long breath. “No, but what I think I know may not be true. I never thought I’d say this, but if I want to truly move on in this town, I need to know the truth. I need to know how far Glenda Martin’s claws extend and if they’re poisonous enough to hurt her own family.”

“Okay, I’ll ask Asher for you.”

There’s another silence. “Levi?”

“Yeah?”

“I’m sorry I didn’t tell you. Maybe it was misguided, but I didn’t think you were ready to face the past.”

“I don’t think I was, Pen.”

“What changed?”

My skin feels warm at the thought of Arlo’s soft lips on mine. The spark in his eyes when he tasted the cocktail I made for him.

She chuckles.

“No need to tell me. I already know. Now go have fun with him. I want all the gossip on Monday.”

I smile to myself. “Love you, Pen.”

“’Course you do. I’m awesome.”

She disconnects the call just as I’m pulling into a parking space near Birchcraft.