“So what?” Penn says. His chest rises and falls hurriedly. “I love her. I do. And the last time I pussied out of using certain language, she left. So, whatever. I love her. I love you, Avery.”
I twist so I’m facing him. My heart is about three sizes bigger than it was before his admission, and I’m not sure I won’t burst.
His face in my hands, my eyes glued to his; I let them do all the talking before I say anything.
“I love you,” I whisper.
He grins. “Um, you’re gonna need to say it louder for the peanut gallery over there, or they’ll ride my ass that you didn’t say it back.”
“I don’t care what they think.”
“Me either, really, but humor me?” He looks over my head. “She said it back. She loves me.”
“I love him,” I shout.
The table erupts again, everyone commenting on and discussing our love. They’d apparently ruled out this kind of thing ever happening with Penn.
I’m happy they were wrong.
“It took you two long enough,” Claire says. “It took you guys longer to admit you’re boyfriend and girlfriend than it does Haley to pick a wedding date. Could you hurry up, please?”
“We have a lot to figure out,” Haley says. “And he still wants wedding cake. I want wedding doughnuts. Big challenges to overcome.”
“If you’ll just marry me, you can have whatever you want.” Trevor looks at her over his beer. “Just marry me.”
“Hey,” Matt says, clearing his throat. “You could have it at the inn.”
“And why would we do that?” Haley asks.
“Because I kind of agreed to buy it on a contract from Lorene today.”
“You did not!” Haley squeals.
The table breaks out into a loud chatter as everyone celebrates Matt. Penn and I offer our congratulations before sinking back into our own little corner of the table.
Penn sways back and forth with me in his arms. I close my eyes and wonder how I got so lucky. A couple of months ago, I was in Los Angeles, hating life. One quick decision to move across the country with no game plan changed everything.
It gave me a life. A life full of laughter and happiness and bursts of creativity. It gave me friends who care about me and a community that feels good to be a part of.
It gave me Penn.
He leans forward and presses his lips to my ear. “One of these days, I’ll ask you that.”
“What?”
“I’ll ask you to marry me. One day. Not today, but it will happen. I want you to know that.”
I turn around to look at him. “I’m in no rush.”
“I know. But I always want you to know where I stand.” He presses a sweet, simple kiss to my lips. When he pulls back, his eyes shine. “I love you, Avery.”
“I love you too. Even if you are trouble.”