Pretend You're Mine (Inked Hearts 3)

Sure enough, Penny and Frank are standing at the side gate.

Smiling.

Stealing the warmth from the air.

Stealing my oxygen.

Chapter 15

Ryan

“What a cute swimsuit.” Penny hugs Leighton hello.

Leighton presses her berry lips—somehow, her lipstick is still perfect—into a smile. Squeezes Penny, wetting her breezy white sundress.

She always wears white now.

It’s like she’s screaming I’m about to get married.

I’m not the girl you fell in love with, the one who rolled her eyes at the idea of a Maui wedding, who only wore jewel tones, who refused to take Daddy’s money.

She turns to me. Spreads her arms to offer a hug.

I stare back at her.

Her honey eyes soften. “Of course.” She fights a frown as she offers her hand.

I take it. Shake.

“You look good, Ryan. Happy.” She wraps her arms around her fiancé. “Aren’t they a cute couple, Frank?”

He nods for sure.

She still prefers quiet guys.

I’ll give her that much.

“It was sweet of Dean to invite us.” She tugs at Frank’s white t-shirt. “Should we go over and say thanks?”

Dean is still on the other side of the backyard, sitting in a blue and white striped lounge chair, staring at Penny like she’s the devil incarnate.

“Later.” I motion to the sliding glass door to the house. “Bathroom’s inside if you need to change.”

Her lips curl into a frown. “I know.”

“How long was it you and Ryan were together?” Leighton copies Penny’s gesture. She slides her arm around my waist, pulls my body into hers, rests her head on my shoulder. “I forget.”

Penny fails to fight her frown. “Nine years. But Ryan only lived at home for the first few.”

“Oh. Of course. So that means the two of you started dating when you were—”

“I was sixteen. He was seventeen.” She tugs Frank’s arm. “Will you get me a drink, sweetie?”

He shoots her a curious look. Are you okay? Or maybe do you really expect me to trust you with your ex after the way we started? “You want anything to eat?”

“No. We have dinner with my parents.” She finally manages a smile. “Daddy has been really supportive.”

“I imagine.” He must be jazzed about Penny upgrading from tattoo artist to finance bro. “How’s work?”