“I heard that, Ray. I am not scared of anything.”

“Definitely scared.”

“Seriously?” Penny glances over at me. “So, spill. What’s going on?”

Blood rushes through my ears so fast I can barely hear her words. Damn Ray. But until he said the word, it hadn’t occurred to me the unsettling feelings I’ve had all weekend might be…fear.

But what do I have to be afraid of? After we left Redemption, Jake dropped me home because he had to catch an early morning flight to Portland on business. He texted me from the cab, the plane before takeoff, the cab again, and his hotel. Warm texts. Sweet texts. Sexy texts. I dutifully texted him back, relieved I didn’t have to face him. But all the while my stomach roiled and my mind twisted itself in knots. I pushed when I shouldn’t have pushed. And now he’s going to expect something from me in return.

“Nothing.”

Ray snorts from behind his newspaper. “That’s what Pen said to me when I asked what the f**k is up with her. She’s almost bouncing out of that chair.”

For the first time this morning, I take a good look at Penny. Her eyes are sparkling and she is, indeed, bouncing in her chair.

“What’s up?”

She taps on her new Vetch screensaver and makes a lewd pumping motion with her fist, then mouths “tonight.”

Laughter bursts from my chest, a sudden release of the tension I’ve carried with me all weekend. For a moment, I can’t believe this is the same Penny who wears floaty florals and drinks tea.

“Are you sure?” I whisper. “Is he safe?”

“Seriously.” Ray shakes his head. “I’m a f**king PI. You two think I can’t figure out what’s going on over there? Pen’s got a new man. Amanda doesn’t like him. Come on, Pen. Let’s see him.” He motions to the screen with his chin and waggles his finger. “Turn it around. I know he’s there.”

Swallowing hard, Penny turns the screen.

Silence. And then…

“Jesus Christ, lookit that loser. Gimme a different visual.” Penny taps on the keyboard and pulls up a full picture of Vetch and then a couple of the band. Ray’s eyes widen. “Hell. You can do better than that, Pen.”

“He’s the lead singer of the Slugs.” She gives him an affronted stare. “And he’s asked me to come to his hotel tonight for a private dinner.”

“Guy like that’ll use you and send you packing.”

To my great surprise, Penny just shrugs. “That’s fine with me. I haven’t had a good shag for six months, and afterward, I’ll be able to work the street cred of having slept with the lead singer of the Slugs.”

“Slug is right. You’re not goin’. Final.”

Penny frowns. “Sorry?”

“Nothin’ to be sorry about. You’re not going. Done.” Ray drains his cup and slams it on the table then slaps open his newspaper.

Penny gives a thin laugh. “Like you can stop me.”

Ray drops his feet to the floor and leans forward, his voice dropping to a low growl. “I will stop you, Pen. Guy like that sees you as a play toy. Shagging you is the last thing he’ll do. You’re gonna get hurt, sweetheart, and it’s not gonna happen on my watch.”

Penny sucks in a sharp breath. Ray puts his feet back on the table. I cough and suggest we get to work.

“I can take care of myself,” Penny blurts out.

“Girl like you knows nothin’ about guys like him. You’re all sweet innocence, pearl buttons on your blouse, tight little pencil skirts, and f**king sexy shoes. You’re class and he’s an ass. You want to get laid that bad, I’ll take care of you.”

I choke. Penny splutters. Ray casually turns the page.

“You’re offering to sleep with me so I don’t sleep with Vetch?” Penny’s voice rises in pitch.

“Lookin’ the way you do, being sweet as you are, it’s not a sacrifice, sweetheart.”

Penny’s cheeks glow red and her fingers drum on her desk.

“I think in a perverse, twisted kind of way, he’s trying to be nice,” I whisper. “He’s worried about you.”

Penny’s eyes narrow. “Or maybe it’s been a while since he had a shag.”

“Actually.” I raise my voice loud enough for Ray to hear. “I don’t allow interpersonal relationships at my firm. Especially when I only have two employees.”

Ray shoots me a glance “Not an employee. Independent contractor.”

“Well, I’m going.” Penny folds her arms and glares.

“You’re not.” Ray doesn’t even bother to lower the newspaper.

Poor Penny. After suffering through years of failed relationships with her, I totally get why she wants this date. And who am I to stand in her way? Maybe we shouldn’t judge him by the needle tracks on his arms or the pupil-less, drugged-out eyes. Maybe he’s that thin because he has a high metabolism and pale because he’s a vampire and can’t go out in the sun. Who am I to judge? Maybe, like Sandy, he has a good heart.

The front door opens and closes. A process server walks in, this one bald and burly. He looks around and scratches his head. “Sorry to disturb you folks. I’m looking for a law office. Attorney’s name is Amanda Westwood? Don’t suppose you know where it might be?”

“Arrrrrgh.” I glare at Ray and then at Penny before I smooth my face and hold out my hand for what I already know is going to be another life-destroying package from Farnsworth.