by Gina Gordon
The C-section had been touch and go, but mom and baby were doing just fine.
A flurry of emotions washed over Cole like a wave. First relief. Then happiness. A strange feeling he was somehow getting used to.
Cole had bullied his way to the front of the line to see Veronica and the baby, using the fact that he’d brought Veronica to the hospital as ammunition.
He sprinted, along with Sterling, to the private room she’d been placed in. The baby was close enough to full term that she didn’t need to be put into an incubator. Although the delivery had been wrought with complications, the result was a perfectly healthy, seven-pound, eight-ounce little girl.
Sterling pushed ahead of him, squealing as she raced over to the bed. She immediately began cooing and mumbling indecipherable words.
When he walked in, Finn stood by the window, a wide smile on his face. He’d never seen his brother so proud. Veronica practically glowed, the complete opposite of what she’d looked like prior to delivery. It was like that tiny baby she held in her arms had given her new life.
He took his time approaching the bed, cautiously making his way. Unsure of what to do. What to say.
“Uncle Cole.” Veronica beamed up at him. “Come and meet your niece, Vivian.”
He stopped in his tracks, choking down a hard swallow.
Vivian. They couldn’t have picked a better name.
Sterling went back to squealing now that she knew the baby’s name.
When he reached the bed and peeked inside the pink blanket, all of his hesitation slipped away.
She was so tiny. So fidgety. So completely beautiful.
“This is a private room,” Neil’s voice boomed from the other side of the door. “We should be able to have as many visitors as we want.”
Carson walked in, shaking her head with a smile. Mark and Cal rushed into the room. Mark immediately embraced Veronica, kissing her on the forehead, relief taking over his face.
All of them turned when Neil walked into the room. He simply shrugged. “Like we’re going to play by the rules.”
Jack clapped him on the back, then closed the door.
Penn was nowhere to be seen.
He pushed aside his disappointment and embraced the feeling in the room. It was a buzz with high-pitched voices and soft sighs. With happiness. Excitement.
Cole gazed at the faces of his family. His unconventional family. Four men brought together by the kindness of one woman. There were no blood relationships. No childhood memories made together. But these people had brought him more happiness than he’d ever known.
He had romanticized the idea of a normal family. In Hawaii, he’d thought the Foster family symbolized just that—happy people sharing a perfect bond. But they were just as flawed and chaotic as anyone.
He’d been totally disillusioned.
Family wasn’t about blood. Or challenges. Or rivalries. Family was about the people who loved you no matter what. The circle of people who supported you.
And he had that, right here.
But there was one person missing, the most important person. He’d given up on her too quickly. Instead of accepting her, he’d pushed her away. He’d thought that would keep his heart from breaking.
But he’d been sorely mistaken.
To say he fucked up with her was the understatement of the century.
A warm hand clapped onto his shoulder. “I’m glad you were there for Veronica.” Finn squeezed his hand. “I’m glad you’re here for me.”
He turned to his brother, taking in the goofy smile he’d had since they were kids, then looked over at Veronica and the baby. At that moment, something inside him broke.
Despite the horrible ending to the trip, since Hawaii, Cole had never felt so settled. So content with himself. So…whole. He had battled his demons, that broken, humiliated little boy, and for the first time he’d won.
Telling Penn had been the difference. His family was supposed to love him no matter what had happened when he was a child. But Penn, she had just told him she’d be there for him despite his past.
It would always be there; it wouldn’t be healthy to pretend otherwise. But he was worth far more than what he’d believed. His past wasn’t his future.
It was Penn who had enabled him to see a different kind of life. And the arrival of that perfect, little baby made him want to start over.
With new life, he would bury his past.
And there was only one thing he wanted or needed in his future.
Penn.
She was the only person that fit the other half of his broken heart.
He needed to get down on his knees and beg her forgiveness. Tomorrow was registration day for the very first fall session of the Madewood Boys and Girls Club. And he knew exactly what he had to do.
Chapter Seventeen
Penn watched from her perch behind the bar with a smile, smoothing down the front of her black, satin dress.
There were at least a hundred parents and children waiting outside Bistro to sign up for the Madewood Boys and Girls Club. The line was out the door and around the block. To say her efforts in promoting the sign-up were successful was the understatement of the year.
The whole Madewood family was present today, each with a special job to do tending to parents and kids and making sure the refreshments were refilled. Cole stood at the front door, greeting the parents and children, and at one point, their gazes locked. He mouthed the words “Thank you,” and her heart swelled.
All of her work and stress about making this day a success had been worth it. With one look, he’d made it all matter. Funny how she’d been searching for that approval her entire life, something her family could never give, and with one simple look, Cole had given her everything she needed.
She loved him. Wanted him more than her next breath. But he was distant. She knew it had everything to do with her knowing his secrets. She’d done her best to put him at ease yesterday, but with all the commotion, it wasn’t the best time.
A few hours into the day and Penn snuck off into the kitchen to catch her breath. She rested her palms on the large island in the middle of the room and took a deep breath. It smelled like garlic and mint.
She jumped when Cole’s smooth voice carried over her shoulder.
“This turnout is incredible.” A tingle raced up her spine. Too many memories. Too many hot nights with that tone, that stern whisper in her ear. She’d never be able to erase those memories.
You don’t want to.
He was only a few steps away when she turned to face him, and his smoldering stare ignited her entire body. He’d set every molecule on fire with the way his eyes roamed over her, then finally settled on her lips. He licked his, like he wanted to kiss her. Like he wanted to take her into his office and ravage her just like he had in Hawaii.
He wasn’t playing fair. He couldn’t keep changing his feelings whenever the mood struck, because her heart would break every time he distanced himself again.
He reached forward and grabbed her hand in his. “Truly. Thank you.”
She blew out a nervous breath and didn’t miss the small smile that curved at the side of his lips at her discomfort.
Damn him. Damn. It. All.
Instead of giving him the satisfaction, she resorted to their old pattern of communicating. “What can I say, I’m good at my job.”
Sarcastic banter. That should do the trick.
Right. Because that never added any fuel to the fire of lust burning between your legs.
When she noticed movement behind Cole, she peeked around him and gasped when she found her entire family huddled together in the kitchen doorway.
“I invited some guests today,” he said, turning to face them. “I thought they’d appreciate your hard work.”
Her parents wore proud smiles. Her brothers and sisters-in-law were also there. Pete and Christine had been to Bistro dozens of times over the years but never in the kitchen. They looked around in wonder. Dave and B
eth looked uncomfortable, which was uncharacteristic for the boisterous couple. Ian held Cathy tightly around the waist who stared in awe as the rest of Cole’s family joined them. This was a dream come true for her—all four Madewood boys in one spot.
She smiled at her best friend. Sterling, whose hand was entwined with Jack’s. Finn was there, without Veronica, who was still recovering from giving birth. Which made his appearance even more special.
“Penn’s family,” Neil boomed in that get-everyone’s-attention tone. He had his hand clamped around Carson’s waist, holding so tightly it was as if she was his lifeline. “Perfect timing.”
Perfect…what?
“Wha… What are you guys doing here?”
“Cole invited us,” her father said. “He wanted us to see what you did.” He looked shocked. “You did all that?” He pointed out to the restaurant.
They all looked shocked. Well fu—
“Of course she did,” Cole responded for her.
“I helped.” She couldn’t take all the credit. This was Cole’s idea. She’d just made the idea a reality.
“I couldn’t have done it without you.” His words were warm and heartfelt in her ear.
Not. Playing. Fair.
Wait, why was he standing so close?
What the hell was going on? She was always in the loop. She was the damn loop.
“As you may know,” Neil addressed the crowd. “Our friend, Gloria York, has stepped down from the board of directors of the Vivian Madewood Foundation.”
Oh, God. Was this it? Were they actually going to tell her she was being considered for the job? Maybe it would finally prove to her family that she did more than just answer the phones for celebrities.
“My brothers and I thought long and hard about who we wanted to take her place.” Finn elbowed Neil in the ribs. “All right.” He held up his hand in defense. “We didn’t have to think very long or hard because the answer was a no-brainer.” He smiled and made an effort to meet the eyes of every member of her family. “There is only one woman we want for this job. Someone who already knows how we think, what we like, and can diffuse our arguments, because essentially, she’d be the tiebreaker.”
He turned and stared directly at her. “A woman who constantly one-ups herself with every project because she is the most dedicated, resourceful, and hard-working woman I’ve ever met.” Her breath caught in her throat when her name escaped his lips. “Penn, we’d love for you to join the board.”
Excitement swelled in her chest. She looked over at Cole who gave her a small smile. He’d stayed hidden in the shadows, allowing Neil to be the one to make the announcement. Knowing how much it meant that he not be the reason she got the job.
“Pennie!” Her mother squealed, then held up her finger and waited a beat before correcting herself. “Pennelope. Congratulations.”
Pete immediately walked over and put his arm around her shoulders. He leaned in and whispered into her ear, “I know how much you wanted this.” In a louder voice, he said, “Congratulations.”
Neil pulled out an envelope and handed it over. “The papers are in order. All you have to do is sign.”
She opened her mouth to speak, but nothing came out. “You…” How could they have done this so fast? “You couldn’t have gotten these done in a day.”
“You can get a lot done when you throw money at something,” Neil said. “Besides, Cole was the one who wanted us to make the announcement today.”
She looked over at him. He had a sly smile curving at the side of his lips. He had something up his sleeve. He was never this gleeful. Never.
“So what’s your answer, Penn?” Jack winked as he rubbed his hand up and down Sterling’s bicep. That tiny, intimate gesture made her feel lonely. But she shook it off. This was her moment. And she wasn’t going to let regret over her feelings for Cole ruin it.
“I say…yes! Of course.”
She ran up to Finn and gave him a huge hug. Then she did the same with Jack and Neil. Of course, Neil took the opportunity to lift her up, leaving her legs to dangle like a rag doll.
So far the day had been a success, and this was just the cherry on top. And she needed all the happiness she could get.
“Now that the board nomination has been made…” Cole yelled from behind. She whirled around and faced him. When their gazes met, he continued, “I’d like to formally resign from my position on the board.” He handed Neil a white envelope.
“What the fuck is this?” Neil glared at him. “I’m not accepting this.”
“You’re going to have to.” He turned his attention to Penn. “Even though there may not be a formal rule about board members dating, I want there to be no question that Penn has earned every bit of this herself.”
After a moment of hesitation, everyone’s eyes turned to Penn. Nervousness crawled up her neck and set her cheeks on fire.
“I want to set the record straight,” Cole continued. “You earned your spot on the board without any help from me, but let’s remind everyone exactly what we’ve gotten ourselves into.”
My family is here, Murphy. If you so much as—
“Penn is stubborn, likes to spar with her co-workers like a UFC fighter, doesn’t take well to criticism, and says whatever is on her mind.”
She’d shown them all that before she left Hawaii, and she was done hiding from them. But hearing this was for her, not them.
“She can be a little wild. Might drink a little too much before noon. And is intimate with every profane word ever in existence.”
Her face flushed, and she covered it with her hand.
“But here’s the thing…” Cole stopped just in front of her and let out a heavy breath. “I’d never ask her to change.”
Her head shot up.
“Penn is also hot.” He lifted his hand and tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. “Sexy. And one hell of a kisser.”
Her entire body was reacting to his words. To the expression on his face. Her heart pounded triple time against her chest. Blood rushed through her ears, muffling the sounds going on around her, including his voice. She swallowed hard. Unable to get down the lump that had lodged into her throat. The nervous lump. The what-the-fuck-is-happening-right-now lump.
She opened her mouth to speak, but nothing came out.
“Ladies and gentlemen, I think for the very first time Penn Foster is speechless.” He smiled. “A quiet Penn is a nice change.” He lowered his head, but his eyes remained fixed on her as he peeked up in nervousness. “Makes it easier for me to say things like I love you.”
She sucked in a breath and shook her head. She definitely was hearing things.
“I don’t want to spend another day not telling you how I feel. I love you, Pennelope. I think I’ve loved you since the first day I met you. I just didn’t know the feeling, but you woke me up. You made me believe that all of this—family, love, happiness—could happen for me.”
Her head spun. This was exactly what she’d wanted to hear in Hawaii. He’d had his opportunity to say these things to her in private. Without both of their families watching and listening.
She’d already told her family that she loved Cole. That their acceptance was expected. But she hadn’t told him that yet.
She planted her fists on her hips and stared him down. He couldn’t just waltz in here and whisper sweet nothings. This grand sweeping gesture wasn’t going to make up for the fact that he had broken her heart and left her.
“Can you also say that you’re an asshole?”
Cathy gasped in shock behind her. Jack was the one who let out a laugh.
“Yes, I will also admit that I am, in fact, an asshole.” He cleared his throat, and the sound echoed through the room. “But this asshole knows he made a mistake. Does that count for anything?”
She shrugged. Hitting him back with his own signature move.
“Penn, look at me,” he commanded. It sent a shiver up her spine. It was the same voice he used in the bedroom. The same vo
ice that had perfected the art of dirty talk. He grinned when she turned and looked into his eyes. No doubt he saw the desire flaring up.
“I’ve spent my entire life searching for happiness. And it’s been right under my nose for three years. I was just too stubborn to notice.”
Tears stung her eyes. But she bit them back. He couldn’t do this to her. He couldn’t give up and then expect her to jump back into his arms whenever he commanded.
He stood there, vulnerability in his eyes, just waiting for her to answer. He’d fucked up. Big time. But he was here. In the spotlight, something he despised, all to win her back. How could she say no to that?
“To make sure you know how serious I am, I brought reinforcements.”
He picked up a bag that sat on the kitchen island and pulled out a…trophy. One that looked exactly like the Foster Cup, but it was brand new.
He held it out. The gold-plated cup sparkled in the low light of the restaurant. The dark wood stand was pristine and it had two gold plates—a large one on the bottom with swirly lettering that read “Madewood Cup” and a smaller one near the top of the wood where her name and the date was etched in the same lettering.
“I’d like to present the very first Madewood Cup to Pennelope Foster.” He held out the trophy, and it sparkled in the light. “I might not have been able to help you win your family cup, but you deserve everything you want in this world. And if I have to sing karaoke or beat Finn in a game of H.O.R.S.E for you to get it, I will.”
She was pretty sure at that moment her heart melted. How could she say no to him? She didn’t want to say no.
“You got me a cup?”
She reached out and touched it, the smooth wood, the shiny plate. It was the greatest gift she’d ever received. But…
“I didn’t do anything to deserve it.” Her forehead crinkled when she looked up at him in confusion.
“That couldn’t be further from the truth.” He walked closer, his eyes darting up to scan the crowd that was gathered behind them. “You’ve spent the last three years kicking our butts into gear. Not to mention putting up with my—”