Penny finishes picking the little stones out of the palms of her hands, flicking each one back onto the driveway in a nervous tic.
“He’d like to apologize in person to Harry, and to give him one of his most special toys to show how sorry he is.”
“I’ll have to ask Harry. He might not want to talk to him.”
“Of course, whatever Harry wants,” she says, a broad smile forming across her face.
“I’m sure it will be okay. You know, kids.”
“They make mistakes. Just like adults. Sorry I didn’t tell you Jack was my son right away.”
I drop the painting to my side, and draw her tight against me with my free hand and press my lips against hers.
Epilogue
One year later
“Come on guys, we’re going to be late for the spring party,” I say, holding the car door open for Harry and Jack.
Ever since Jack apologized and gave Harry his favorite toy, the two have been inseparable.
Which makes things easy for Penny and me, because we’ve also been inseparable.
Playdates and sleepovers have completely different meanings to us.
Penny flits out of her house, gliding down the stairs and over to the car, looking gorgeous in a flimsy summer dress.
My mind immediately visualizes pulling the dress off her later tonight. If I make it that long.
She flashes me a coy smile before sliding into the passenger seat.
I get in the car, and the box in my pocket presses into my thigh. For the first time today, I feel nervous.
Not because of Penny, but because I want to make sure I’m making the right decisions for Harry.
We arrive at the PTA spring party, and Harry and Jack immediately run off. Somehow both Penny and I avoided volunteering this year.
Taking her hand in mine, I lead her to the tucked-away corner where the bouncy castle is. I already arranged with Kate for the bouncy castle to open before the rest of the party.
We arrive in front of the already inflated bright blue and red castle. Penny furrows her brow as I position her in front of it.
Dropping down to one knee, I discreetly slip the box out of my pocket.
“Baby, since the second I laid eyes on you I was hooked. Over the past year, you’ve made me feel alive again. I can’t imagine a day of my life without you.” I open the box to reveal a large diamond flanked by two sapphires. She covers her mouth with her hand. “Penny, will you marry me?”
“Yes, a million times yes,” she says, flinging her arms open.
Gripping the box in my hand, I stand and lift her up, twirling her around. I bend my knees and hold her tight as I propel us onto the bouncy castle.
We land in a heap, giggling.
A crowd of teachers, parents and children has formed around us and they all clap.
Jack and Harry run at full speed onto the bouncy castle and start jumping up and down all around us.
Penny and I both stand and take Jack’s and Harry’s hands, and the four of us bounce in a circle.
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Pierce Me
She’s never had an orgasm, and I’m going to make up for that.
When Eloise walks into my tattoo parlor, she thinks she knows what she’s after — a piercing to help take her where no man can.
But I don’t want to help her the way she thinks.
I had a crush on her all the way through grade school.
The last time I saw her was seventh grade, when my life was falling apart.
Now she has the same cute ponytail as always but the rest of her grown-up body makes me hard just looking at it.
I’ll give her a piercing all right, and it will be the deepest one of her life.
Never had an O, welcome to Oh My God!
*** A steamy STANDALONE contemporary romance with a sizzling hot hero. No cliffhanger, no cheating, and a guaranteed happily-ever-after.***
Eloise
Trouble having orgasms? You need to read this!
The headline on the magazine cover catches my eye. It certainly applies to me. But I have no time to read it now.
I carry on laying out the new magazines in the waiting room. We’re about to open. My first patient will be here soon and I still have to go over his notes.
“Hey, sweetie,” my mom says as I pass her in the hallway. Her hair is the same almost-black color as mine. Like every day, it’s pulled back in a neat bun, and her glasses sit on the end of her nose.
“Morning, Mom,” I say, smiling at her.
“Are you coming for dinner tomorrow?”