“Jumpy” didn’t begin to describe her skin, and he wouldn’t move. Taking a hard swallow, she realized he waited for her arm to lead. When she took his arm, she ran her free hand though her hair. Pressing her lips together, she stayed silent in the elevator, the lobby, and the garage while he walked to his motorcycle. She slowed down with hesitant steps at the end, realizing she had to go back with him. He hadn’t done anything wrong, but she could not live with him. She slowly wrapped her arms around his perfect body, letting the smell of him wash through her, suppressing a sigh. No. She’d call herself a complete idiot if she moved in with him. She needed space to breathe, not watching him live his life that close.

  The traffic and speed kept her tight body from freezing. She held on until he stopped. Looking at the coffee shop, she hopped off fast before he could help her, and scrambled to get her keys.

  He called out from his bike, “Penny, I surprised you. Please think about it.” He stepped off his bike, reaching into his jeans. Pulling out a card, he told her, “Keep the number, and remember, you’re my date on Friday. I’m counting on you.”

  “Pretend date.”

  She’d do it. Just like the rest of the female population, she always fell for his blue eyes and those sexy dimples, but he’d never be hers. She knew better than to hope for the impossible. Hoping for more than she could have was a surefire way to disappointment.

  4

  Jay shrugged halfheartedly. He refused to hurry and continued to stare off at the ocean. He placed his hands in his pocket, then turned back into the exclusive five-star restaurant. Eva’s unpredictable behavior stemmed from her work schedule, and she was busy now preparing to star in an upcoming play. With a yawn, he’d guess she’d overreact for photographers, but he didn’t judge her. He smiled politely at all who passed. Business was business, and he understood that part of tonight.

  His face flushed the second he stepped through the restaurant. She’d be here late. With a determined set of his jaw, he nodded at the hostess and walked toward his seat at the window overlooking the ocean.

  Miami had such beautiful beaches. He relaxed into his seat and closed his eyes. Tonight, would be different if Penny agreed. Her smile was like a warm breeze on the ocean.

  With an intake of breath, he lifted his index finger to indicate he needed service. A moment later, a waitress took his drink order.

  With a flick of his light brown hair, he turned away and stared at the phone. Penny never called him.

  “It’s never good to drink alone, son.”

  His mouth pinched together into a scowl. His mother. A vein in his neck pounded as he turned his head. He crossed his arms to somehow block his rising blood pressure. Through clenched teeth, he told her, “I asked you to leave me alone.”

  “I asked you not to interfere with your father’s business.”

  He gazed past her. “And I have repeatedly asked you not to interfere in my life, Mother. Yet here you are.”

  “I was in the restaurant. Was I to ignore my only son?”

  His eyes narrowed in on his mother. This woman would sell him, her only son, for cash. Did she still expect loyalty? With a sharp, tart answer, he shrugged. “Yes.”

  “Jay, be reasonable.”

  The storm of his emotions thundered in his answer. “My business is separate from Dad’s. I know it’s hard for you to lose control of someone, but you need to leave now.”

  “That’s harsh. With time you’ll understand my only wish was to help our family.”

  His chest tightened while his expression hardened. “Helped yourself. Look, I have a date and you’re not it. Tell Dad if he wants to talk business, he can call me without you on the other line. Every dime I’ve ever made with my company is from my own hard work and sweat.”

  “I’ll go, but we’re not done with this conversation.”

  When he shut down his parents’ company, he’d earn his reward. “Yes. We are. Eva’s here now.”

  “She’s lovely.”

  Penny’s unfiltered smile and warmness held true beauty on the inside. Eva’s outward looks didn’t matter. “She’s on your payroll.”

  Jay stood up and put his drink down. His blue eyes stared down his mother, though she stood taller than most women, and she haughtily lifted her head and walked away. He glared while she left and Eva joined him. The two shared more than just dark hair and eyes in common. They both would send a boy into prison and stay kidnapped to collect the cash insurance policy.

  Eva nodded at him, sparkling in silver and diamonds. With a nod, he indicated for her to sit.

  She understood. “Jay.”

  He took a slow, even breath then nodded. “Eva.”

  “You didn’t kiss me hello.”

  His eyebrow arched. “Was I supposed to?”

  Her eyes narrowed on his. She knew something was not quite right when she asked, “Is tonight in public for a reason?”

  A girl like Penny would never be boring. He took a long pause and stared at Eva. “Yes.”

  “I thought so.”

  Penny would never be so cool and put together. He tugged at his ear. “Eva, I want us to be friends.”

  She crossed her arms. “So you know?”

  His brows elevated slightly though he kept his gaze firm. With a nod, he answered, “I know.”

  Without warning, she stood up. “I’ll think about this. Meet me tomorrow.”

  His mouth dropped open. He jumped to his feet and watched her sashay away. He’d expected more dramatics.

  With a shrug, he sat back down and finished his drink. With his phone, he checked social media. Penny wasn’t online. He checked her profile. Up in Gainesville, she had a boyfriend, yet she never mentioned him in person. She listed herself as single on her page, though, and Jay smiled to himself.

  She must be free. He’d find out. Penny would never be cold with him, not like Eva or his mother. His high school friend’s face matched the warmness of her heart. It had been a long time since he’d met anyone like her.

  The waitress came over and he turned his phone off to quickly pay the bill. Tomorrow, he’d find Penny again.

  5

  Penny heard the children screaming for their toys while the parents sat still, drinking beers under a tree. Inside the apartment, the upstairs neighbors banged on their floor, causing the apartment to shake. In the back, a car was blasting its music so loud, her lips curled. She disapproved of everything she saw.

  Hopefully Jay’s apartment hadn’t skewed her view of all places. She ran back to her car. She’d never be able to afford a doorman.

  The first apartment would make her hate living in the area in a week or less. Penny rushed back to her rental car, not stopping to breathe the air.

  Starting her car, she programmed her GPS with the directions. Jay’s place gleamed clean and quiet. No. She shook her head. She’d do this on her own, not live the fairytale her mother dreamed of.

  Jay’s blue eyes stared at her in her mind. He was seriously sexy. Adulthood made him determined, dangerous, and manly. Living with him couldn’t happen.

  She hoped the second place would be better. Steeling her spine, she started the car and turned to see it.

  When she reached the street, her phone beeped. Picking up the phone, she saw Sandy had texted her. She dialed her number, not wanting to get into an accident. “Sandra, hey, sweetie. I was going to call you later today.”

  “To tell me you moved back home without calling?” Sandra sounded serious until she shrieked, “You have to come to my house for a party. I’m in the middle of redecorating my new place, but you know most of the people coming over. This Thursday. I need to see one of my oldest and dearest friends again.”

  A friend not out to trick her into a million-dollar home let Penny relax her shoulders. “Where are you now? Can you meet me for a latte at Sonoma’s in a few hours?”

  “What time?”

  Glancing at her clock, she saw time moving fast. She’d need every minute to figure out where she was going to live. Biting her lip, she decided her answer: “Five o’clock? I have to finish apartment-hunting. Keep your fingers crossed for me.”

  “Deal. See you then. I’m so excited.”

  Smiling, Penny let herself relax again. She’d find a way to make living here work before she told her mother. Geneva Knightheart’s opinion would diminish everything Penelope hoped and dreamed for. To begin with, the woman did not understand why a girl would major in mechanical engineering instead of something more feminine like psychology. Her mother loved figuring out ways to manipulate people and using their weaknesses to her own advantage. College had been her mother’s way of starting her on the road to marrying men for money, but then so had her private school.

  Penny’s father had a sense of honor, though she hadn’t known the man well. He’d had an affair, and stayed with his wife, despite all the drama he had to endure with Penny’s mom. He eventually told his wife and stayed out of Penny’s life for the most part, but at least the man struggled with trying to do the right thing. His quietness didn’t bug her because her half-brother, Wyatt, was already one of her best friends before she knew the score that he was her half-brother through her father.

  Too bad Wyatt was in Kurdistan on some secret military mission. She’d visit his son later as Aunt Penny.

  All Penny had was her mom. Avoiding her mother kept her safe from exploding. She’d never be who her mother wanted her to be, and she’d do whatever it took to find a place and avoid having to stay with the mom she had nothing in common with.

  At the second apartment, she scurried across the urine-smelling parking lot cluttered with broken beer bottles and litter. A couple screamed at each other in Spanish in the parking lot. She locked the car door, refusing to get out. Her pounding heart began to slow. This place was a slum. She backed out of the place, wondering if she would have had the same reaction had she not seen Jay’s apartment first, with its elite security system and thick-armed doormen.

  Jay. She needed to block him from her mind.

  Where did she go now? She programmed her phone for the third place. Holding her breath, she hoped her last option of the day worked out. This one’s address was not too far from her mother.

  Letting her mind drift, she had to admit Jay’s place had potential.

  In college, she’d lived with a male roommate. Crawford had been so busy with sports that he had never been home much anyhow. And Jay had said he needed to focus.

  While she drove, she wondered if she could—

  No.

  Pulling into the third place, she had hope. The place appeared quiet and peaceful. Good. She stepped out of her car, locked the door, and made her way to the front desk. The receptionist nodded, and Penny felt some enthusiasm spring up. The agent came out with a man a minute later, shaking hands. Waiting her turn, Penny told her, “Hi, I’m Penelope Knightheart. I called yesterday about an apartment.”

  “Ms. Knightheart, hello. Please come into my office for a minute. I rented our apartment this morning, but let me look up our next possible opening. Our residents often choose to stay here for years at a time.”

  “I can see why. The place is beautiful.”

  “Our next possible vacancy is next month. Is that good for you?”

  With a rent of nine hundred she could live on her own without anyone, and the place seemed decent. “Okay. I’ll make it work and stay with my mom until then.”

  “Great.” The leasing agent typed into her computer, “We’ll be needing first, last, and the security deposit.”

  Sighing, she signed a check and filled out the paperwork. For a month, she needed a place. She had run out of options, and this place was perfect. When done, she stood up, telling the agent, “Thank you.”

  “We’ll see you soon.”

  Going to Jay’s had appeal. She could taste the decadence in her mouth. But she couldn’t. Walking to her car, she did the one thing she hated. She drove to her mother’s.

  The drive took less than fifteen minutes, but Penny stayed in her car for longer, staring at the two-story house with its palatial columns. The circular driveway wound around a large bronze fountain that sprayed water into the air. If Lars was home, her mother would feign exuberance about how her college graduate of a daughter needed to settle down, with a smile pasted on her face. If he was not home, her mother would lecture her about finding a man to sleep with and support her, without the painted smile. Either way, tonight wouldn’t be fun. Groaning, she stepped out of the car.

  Her back tensed before she knocked on the door. Her leg shook while she stood there with a bag over her shoulder. A second later, her mother opened the door, saying, “Penny, what are you doing here?”

  “I told you I had a job offer in Miami. I looked all day, but the place I found isn’t available till next month. I need to stay here, with you and Lars.”

  “Go stay with your friends.”

  “Mom, I’m your only child. Don’t you care that I’ll be on the street, homeless?”

  Her mother grimaced. “Okay, you can sleep on our patio for the night. I’ll figure out where to put you after that. Lars will be home later. He’s in surgery number whatever, turning a former three-hundred-pound heifer into one hundred and fifty pounds of delight, complete with two-sizes-larger chest.”

  “Too much info. How are you?”

  “Finally happy, sweetheart. Lars took me to Las Vegas because I had always wanted to sit beside a man in a high-stakes poker game, and he won.”

  “That’s a stupid goal to have, Mom.” Penny let that come out of her mouth before she bit her lip.

  “Did I not teach you anything?”

  Here it comes. “Teach me what?”

  “Ferdinand—”

  Penny closed her eyes. She knew this speech, all about how Penny always chose losers, but she corrected her mother anyhow. “Fernando. His name was Fernando.”

  “That boy you were sleeping with, he had no way of supporting you. Women do not pay for men. You stick with one who’s the best option until an even better one appears.”

  “He was looking for a job, and we graduated at the same time. We had part-time jobs to make ends meet. Gainesville isn’t a huge place, and we hoped to stay. Doesn’t matter now. I left him for a job.”

  “You left him because he was no good for you. He had no money.”

  Looking out the window, her mother saw the rental. “Where is your car, honey?”

  “It wouldn’t have made the drive back. It was dying, so I gave it to Fernando. I also have to go to the dealership now that I’m back to buy one, plus I have to find some furniture.”

  “Sweetheart, go for men with money in the future. You’ll be happier.”

  “Stop.” Was there some way to make her mother stop? She was well acquainted with her mother’s lack of moral fortitude. It gained her a new step-daddy every couple of years that had became a logistical nightmare throughout her childhood, Penny would never be the gold digger, and her mother sounded ridiculous and lacked any center of moral right or wrong. Staying here would drive her crazy. “Patio’s out there?”

  She didn’t even rate a room here. She would be on display through the glass, but she had to sleep somewhere.

  Walking away without finishing her conversation with her mother saved her sanity for the moment. After clearing off the day bed, she lay down.

  Jay would never need her money. Paying Fernando’s bills had slowed her savings, and she had learned not to date a man without a job. Hard work was its own reward. Fixing the pillow, she thought about Jay’s dimples.

  Jay’s house and offer kept her safe from her mother. He’d work, focus, and escape his mother. Hmm. She fixed her shirt to be straight. She couldn’t wait to get out of here. Was Jay serious about his motivation on why he needed her? His blue eyes that stared into hers gave her the impression he’d been earnest. But she could be seeing what she wanted.

  The next morning, she woke up to her mother’s whiny voice. “Lars, darling, do you think my butt could use another injection?”

  Penny closed her eyes. She needed air. She could never be her mother, and she had to get out of here fast. She swallowed. Jay would be easier to take.

  Staring at the street, she realized she needed coffee. Her regular morning wake-up sounded so inviting. Redirecting her car, she debated “Jay or Mom?”

  Jay offered everything she’d dreamed of in a place, except living with him. Well, if she was honest with herself, she admitted she’d like him in “he’s a good guy and a great friend” way.

  She’d said that out loud. Talking to herself was never good.

  On the other side, her mother made her want to scream with her loyalty of a gnat with men.

  Penny knew without a doubt that she would never cheat on any man to move up the social ladder, and Jay would be all she ever needed in a man though it would never happen in a million years.

  No. Cooling off would help her make sense. Coffee would make this headache go away.

  When she stepped out of her car, she noticed his black Harley in the lot again. Blinking, she shook her head before walking in. It was kind of amusing to her that they had the same schedule and tastes when it came to morning coffee.

  Jay hadn’t seen her. His focus was his tablet and reading some pie chart with numbers. She put her head next to his to stare at the tablet before she told him, “Funny, you never had that look when we used to study together.”

  “Good morning,” Jay said, and his smile brightened the whole place. He turned off the tablet and set it on the table. “This is important. It’s my life, not homework.”

  Live with him. For a month. Living with him might be good. She’d never lived alone, and Miami did have an underside. “Where are you living now, Jay?”

  “At Michael’s. I’ve been there for two months now, and I need to get out.”