Page 37

Penny

WHEN THE LAST CUSTOMER LEAVES THE CAFé, PENNY SPRINTS TO THE front door, locking it behind them. Ron kept the café open an hour later than usual because of the long line and straggling customers on laptops, but since they have no events that night, they get to go home early.

And, thankfully, Dylan Mayberry didn’t show up.

The vial of truth serum has been in Penny’s apron pocket all week, heavier than it should be for its size. She has no idea if she would’ve actually given it to Dylan if she had the chance. She gets to put off that moral conflict for another day.

“Why did I decide to work in the restaurant industry?” Ron calls from the back kitchen, where he’s washing mugs.

“Because it was your lifelong dream?”

“And because I forgot that I’m a misanthrope.”

“Not true! You love people and they love you back.”

“I love attention . Big difference.”

Penny allows herself a moment to watch the foot traffic on Main Street, which is always bustling on summer nights. Everyone in Idlewood is out and about, and there are parties, and fights with family, and loud music, and excited kids. It’s all messy and unexpected and familiar.

A mother walks by with her small daughter’s hand clutched in her own, and a much darker thought occurs to Penny. She’s always wanted to live in Idlewood forever. It’s where her dad is from, and her mom has lived here since high school, after her parents kicked her out of their small apartment in the San Fernando Valley and she came here to live with her grandparents. Penny loves growing up like they did: going to the same restaurants, swimming in the same lake, about to graduate from the same high school. No other place will ever feel like home the way Idlewood does.

But if they don’t break the curse, will Penny want to stay? Or will being here hurt too much?

Ron comes to the front of house. “You still goin’ to the hospital tonight? Want me to make you some dinner?”

“I don’t think I can stomach another egg croissant sandwich.”

“I’m gonna pretend I ain’t offended by that.”

“It’s not you, it’s me.”

“I’ve heard that one before. Hey, take the trash on your way out, would you? My back’s killin’ me today.”

After Penny changes out of her uniform, she hauls two giant trash bags to the dumpster. The humidity makes her feel like she’s broiling from the inside out. Right when she’s about to climb into the Prius and blast the AC, someone speaks.

“There she is. The famous Penny.”

Penny’s stomach drops. Across the parking lot, leaning against a dark blue King Ranch, is Dylan Mayberry.

Penny was this close to leaving. This close .

“We’re actually closed,” Penny says.

Dylan huffs. “Stop talking.”

Dylan seems so much older, so aware of exactly how people work and how she can hurt them. Penny is so afraid of her it’s embarrassing.

Until Dylan pushes off the truck, takes two steps in her high-heeled sandals, and trips.

“Whoa!” Penny says, lunging forward. But she’s too far away to save her, and Dylan face-plants onto the pavement.

Penny gasps, her hands covering her mouth. All she can do is stand there in shock as Dylan remains motionless on the ground. She’s about to call 911 when Dylan starts laughing. “Fucking fuck .”

It’s the slurred cussing that gives it away. “Are you drunk?”

“Duh.” Dylan struggles to her feet. Penny tries to help her, but she smacks her hand away. “Don’t touch me.”

Penny watches without blinking as Dylan straightens up and adjusts her crop top. There’s not a speck of dirt on her. Her bleached hair is still perfectly wavy, her white skin perfectly sunkissed. How does she do that?

Penny glances toward the café, half hoping Ron will appear. “Can I… help you with something?”

“I’m not here for a cup of bad coffee. I’m here for you.”

Penny’s stomach drops. “Me?”

Dylan stumbles toward the Prius. “Let’s go.”

“Go where ?”

Dylan holds up a flask. “I’m drank. I mean, drunk. And I need a ride. Unless you want me to get in Daddy’s truck and run down some pedestrians?”

Penny’s stomach sinks. Did Dylan deliberately get drunk after she drove to the café so Penny would be forced to drive her home? Seems a little extreme when they could just have a conversation, but knowing Dylan’s reputation, she probably has something else planned.

“Why are you really here, Dylan?”

Dylan shrugs. “I figured if Corey likes you so much, I should find out why.”

“Nothing’s going on between us, if that’s what you’re wondering,” Penny says.

“Of course not. Look at you.”

Penny can’t even find it in herself to be offended. She could call somebody else to pick Dylan up, except this is basically divine intervention. The universe is presenting this opportunity on a silver platter, even though giving anybody a truth serum seems morally wrong in every imaginable way.

But what if the Mayberrys did curse the Barrions? Figuring this out will change the course of everything—her mom’s life, Corey’s life, and the future of his entire family. And it’s selfish, but all Penny can picture is her mom opening her eyes and coming home.

Penny sucks in a breath. “Fine. Do you have a purse?”

Dylan looks at her like she doesn’t understand the word purse , but then she says, “Obviously. Go get it.” And she throws her keys at Penny’s feet.

There’s a bottle of water on the floor of the King Ranch. Penny takes out the truth serum and dumps the full contents into the bottle, hoping Alonso didn’t forget to tell her she should only give Dylan a single drop or something. Penny’s life is becoming a fairy tale gone wrong.

She takes the water and Dylan’s purse and locks up the truck. Dylan is splayed against the Prius for balance, and when she sees Penny, she claps her hands twice.

“Chop, chop, Penny Emberly,” Dylan says. “I’ve got places to be.”

And I’ve got a curse to break , Penny thinks.