The Mrs. Degree (Accidentally in Love 2)

So beautiful, just like when we were younger, only more mature. It’s clear she’s had her fair share of worries, judging by the lines around her eyes.

Natural.

Smooth skin and pouty lips, I see the face of our daughter when I look at her, which only makes me love her more.

I part my lips to speak but close them.

“Tired?”

She nods. “It’s been a day.”

A long, busy day.

“Ready for sleep?” I ask.

“Are you?”

No, not really. I want to lie like this and talk, but I can also feel my eyes getting heavy. Whether from the warm bath or from the emotional heaviness I’ve felt the past two weeks, I’m not sure.

“Yes, we should try to sleep.”

Penelope yawns, snuggling down further.

It’s not long before we’re both fast asleep.

Chapter 16

Penelope

I’ve only felt out of place a few times in my life.

“Who are you?”

“My name is Penelope.”

“That’s nice, but what are you doing here?”

What was I doing there?

Honestly, I didn’t know.

I was at the football house off-campus after the first game I watched Jack play. He’d picked me up from my dorm and brought me here, thinking it would be a fun way for me to meet a few of his best friends—and teammates.

The trouble was, I was shy and didn’t love parties, or drinking for that matter—and this house was full of loud, rambunctious people. Wall-to-wall people. Girls who didn’t look anything like I did, girls who wanted to be noticed, girls who looked at me as if I were invading their territory.

Jack had left me standing here to use the bathroom, holding a beer cup I wasn’t drinking from and doing my best to smile at anyone walking by.

“I’m with someone,” I told the girl who seemed more keen to ask questions than answer any herself—and what did she care who I was and what I was doing there. Who was she, the gatekeeper?

“Who?” Her eyes scan the crowd of students. It’s a sea of people, all of them here to celebrate the team since they had won their game this afternoon.

“Jack Jennings.”

Her chin tilts up. “You’re here with Jack?” I can’t hear her scoff, but it’s implied.

And so very rude.

But I was in no position to defend myself when I wasn’t even sure what I was defending myself from. All I knew was that she was making me feel shitty, and I didn’t like it.

“Who are you here with?” I volley the ball at her, irritated with the set of her eyebrows. She’s taller than me and staring down her nose with a critical eye.

They all did. This was nothing new, but that didn’t mean I had to like it.

“Friends.”

Friends? “Oh. I thought maybe you were dating someone on the team, too.”

That was as close as I got to insulting someone.

“I’m here to see Stan Millbauer.”

“Good luck with that then. Say hello to his girlfriend for me.”

I didn’t know who Stan Millbauer was, but the look on the girl’s face was satisfaction enough for me, although guilt set in as soon as Jack returned from the bathroom and to my side, arm sliding around my waist and kissing my temple.

“Who was that?” he asks as the girl sidles away, weaving through the crowd, back on the prowl.

“I didn’t catch her name.” I sip from the beer in my hand that had grown warm, barely tasting it. “She’s here to try to hook Millbauer.”

I use the kid’s last name the same way I hear Jack referring to his friends, and it makes him laugh.

“Millbauer? She can try to hook him, but I’m pretty sure he has a long-term boyfriend back home. Good luck to her.”

He kisses my cheek, pulling me along with him.

I spent the rest of the evening listening to him and his buddies joke around, giggling nervously and making small talk with the girlfriends—or girls hanging on them, anyway. It’s hard to tell who is who or what to the guys…

“Hey there. I was wondering if I would see your face again!” A familiar face comes toward me down the row I’m sitting in, reaching over to tap me at the crook of my arm. “You were with Jack Jennings at the Sprinters game a few weekends ago.”

She plops down beside me, setting her purse in her lap.

I can’t remember her name, but boy am I glad to see her face.

“Lana Macenroy,” she provides, blonde hair in the perfect coif. She looks so elegant. “We met in Chicago.”

“Yes!” I thrust my hand out. “Penelope Halbrook.”

“I remember who you are.” She winks and begins rifling through her purse. “I don’t know how long I’ll stay. My mom is with the kids back at the hotel. We were going to take them to Disneyland this afternoon. Little one needed a nap first, or she’s a monster.”

Lana pulls out a pack of gum. “Want a piece?”