“It wasn’t. We weren’t meant to be, but that was my fault, not yours.”

I shake my head. “You were right. I stopped respecting you. I started putting up walls.”

Her shoulders relax. “Thanks for saying that.”

“It’s not for you, Pen. It’s for me.”

“It seems like it worked out.”

“Yeah.”

“She’s fiery.”

I laugh. “She is.”

Penny laughs. “I guess that’s always been your type.” She brings her glass to her lips and takes a sip. “Are you happy with her?”

My jaw cricks. It feels good, accepting her apology, offering mine. But I can’t have Penny in my head or my heart anymore. “Don’t ask me shit like that.”

“I care about you.”

The words twist something in my brain. They’re too familiar and too different. I want every ounce of them and none of them. “Then stop.”

“Ryan.” Her nails dig into the stem of her flute.

“You lost the right to say my name that way a long time ago.”

She sinks into her heels. “I’m sorry.”

“Then prove it by respecting me—”

“I do.”

Bourbon warms my throat. Sends my thoughts swimming.

“Mom is watching us.” Penny nods to her mom, sitting on the couch with her dad. Mrs. Winters looks the same as always—pretty, well-dressed, some mix of classy and grown up wild child. “She’s glad you’re here.”

“Me too.”

“Really?”

“Yeah.” I swallow another sip of bourbon. “You look happy.”

“I am.”

“Good.”

She looks up at me. “Really?”

“I always wanted that for you.”

“Even after I—”

“Not at that moment.” But now, I do. I want to let go of that last bit of hate in my gut. I want to be free of her. “You love him as much as it looks like you do?”

Her honey eyes light up. “I really do.”

My throat tightens, but a deep breath opens my airways. “Good.”

Tags: Crystal Kaswell Inked Hearts Romance
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