One Penny: A Marked Heart Novel

by M. Sembera

"Um... yea," she replied.

  "That goes back generations?"

  Laughing, she asked, "How'd you get along with Auggie?"

  Giving her a strange look he replied, "He called me...Cara"

  "A chara?"

  "That's it."

  That made Penny happier than it should have as she explained, "He was just saying you're a friend."

  Seth laughed as he shared, "Much better."

  "And Braden?"

  "He thinks Charlotte's hot."

  Shaking her head Penny laughed saying, "I'm sure he does," knowing Braden said it to aggravate Auggie.

  "I don't."

  "No?"

  Seth lowered his voice, almost whispering, "Kieran said it's because I have a thing for Penny."

  Penny was speechless.

  On the one hand, how could she not ask and find out for sure. On the other hand, Penny wasn't entirely sure she wanted to know the answer. Her idea of making friends with him wasn't to end up with him. Honestly, she was leaning towards the smitten side herself but that didn't change the fact that they were neighbors. If she did let it go farther, when the inevitable happened, she would still have to face him every day. No, friend's was what they were and that was all they were going to be.

  Parked in the apartment complex parking lot, Penny got out of the car and walked around to the passenger side.

  Opening the passenger door, Seth swung his legs out saying, "I need to lay down."

  "Okay just a minute. You're doing good. All you have to do is make it up the stairs," she said watching as he placed his head in his hands and rested his elbows on his knees.

  He started to shake his head as he leaned forward.

  Moving directly in front of him, she placed her hands on his shoulders to brace him saying, "No, no. You can't pass out in the parking lot."

  Penny had to take a deep breath when he wrapped his arms around her waist and leaned into her.

  Seth sat halfway out of the car holding onto her without moving or making a sound. She started to wonder if he had passed out.

  "Seth?"

  Without answering, his hands gripped the back of her shirt as he tugged her closer.

  "Seth."

  All thoughts of friendship were drifting away. As much as she would have liked to relax and move even closer, Penny reminded herself he was drunk.

  His voice was smooth and low as he lifted his head and looked up at her saying, "Anything you want."

  "Please don't do this to me," she whispered.

  Seth stared at her for a long moment before letting go.

  The second she stepped away, he held onto the car door and stood up. When she reached for his arm, to help him, Seth took off towards the stairs. Penny stood at her car watching him walk the short distance to the bottom of the stairs. In the moment she didn't want to turn him down but what choice did she have. He probably wouldn't remember anything tomorrow anyway. Still the look on his face, like he had been lost and finally found what he was looking for, was something she would never forget, no matter what.

  Thirteen

  Pulling a blanket over his head as he rolled over, Seth couldn't recall his couch being this comfortable or having a blanket. Pressing his head against the couch cushion, he didn't have to open his eyes and look around to realize he wasn't in his apartment.

  Events from the previous day and night rolled through his mind. That was the most fun he'd had in his entire life. It wasn't like he'd never been drunk before but it was more than drinking. It was being laughed at and laughing back. Playing elementary school playground games, which is harder than you would think after several glasses of whiskey. Then as he heard a familiar laugh come from another room, Seth recalled his ride home with Penny.

  Why in the world would he tell her what Kieran said? Now understanding what Auggie meant when he said 'whiskey'll make a honest man of ya', he wondered if it made him an idiot too. Mentally scolding himself he thought, 'Anything you want'. Who says stuff like that? Not to mention the fact that it made no sense. Sure the first time he said it, he was answering her. But when she was looking down at him like he was he only man in the world, that was his response. All the things he could have said and 'anything you want' was what came out of his mouth.

  In the back of his mind, he was hoping Penny would tap him on the shoulder and say she was leaving and he could let himself out. He was off because of the holiday but he doubted a tattoo shop would be closed for it. If she needed to go to work and he appeared to still be sleeping, that would have been ideal. It would have been so much better than Liv pouncing on top of him.

  "Rise and shine, Lurker!" she announced, patting him on top of his blanket covered head.

  Feeling her push away from him, Seth peeked out from under the blanket at her.

  "I found your keys in the yard, they're on the table."

  Grateful for that, at least he wouldn't have to deal with Marty to get his apartment unlocked. He watched Liv turn and walk to the front door where Charlotte was standing.

  "Thank you," he appreciated.

  Liv and Charlotte looked at each other before teasing in unison, "Anything you want."

  As they left, Seth pulled the blanket back over his head and groaned.

  ~

  Feeling a bit nervous Penny sat at her kitchen table waiting for Seth to come in and get his keys. She knew he was up, she had heard his voice. Since Charlotte and Liv ruined her plan of pretending what was said last night never happened, she wondered if he remembered too and that was what was taking him so long.

  Growing impatient, she felt the need to get all awkwardness resolved so they could go back to normal. Well, normal for Seth. Just as she was about to get up, he stepped into the kitchen.

  "Morning," she cheered at him glancing over his 'just rolled out of bed' appearance, even though he'd been on her couch.

  Taking a step closer, Seth gave a shy smile. There were what appeared to be grass stains on his otherwise white undershirt, his hair was messy and his always perfectly creased slacks were full of wrinkles.

  "Thank you for the ride home."

  Pursing her lips up into a smile, she asked, "How ya feeling this morning?"

  He paused for a moment before replying, "Not too bad."

  Hopping up, she said, "Have a seat," before asking, "Coffee?"

  "Yes please."

  With a sweet smile, Penny was happy he wasn't rushing home as she walked over to pour him a cup of coffee.

  ~

  Watching her sweep her hair over her shoulder as she poured his coffee into a cup, Seth thought about her long hair spilling over her shoulders and falling against him as she looked down at him the night before. He wasn't trying to come on to her, but it was hard to resist the feeling of being close and wanting to get closer. He wanted to wrap his fingers in her hair and pull her in. Kiss her. It wasn't having too much to drink last night that caused him to feel that way. Right now, in her kitchen slightly hung over with sunlight pouring through the windows, he wanted her even more.

  As Penny returned to the table with his cup of coffee, Seth decided he needed confirmation on her part before moving forward. After all, in his intoxicated state the previous night, he could have completely misjudged her reaction to him.

  "Cream and sugar?" she asked, setting the cup down in front of him.

  Thinking of her naturally beautiful complexion and the fact that she was sweeter than anyone he'd ever known, Seth replied, "Yes," as he mentally added 'You are'.

  Penny reached toward the center of the table to retrieve them for him at the same time he did, giving him the opportunity to touch her hand. Running the pad of his thumb against the top of her hand, he glanced over to see her reaction.

  "Hey! Pen-Pen!" startled them both before they heard the front door slam shut.

  Penny stood up straight tucking her hair behind both ears as she gave him a soft smile before turning away.

  Braden walked into the kitchen looking pretty much the same way he did when h
e showed up at Kieran's the day before.

  Slapping Seth on the back as he pulled out a chair, he greeted, "How's it goin'?"

  Before Seth could answer Penny placed her hand on her hip questioning, "What are you doing here?"

  Flashing a wide smile, he replied, "What? I need a reason to visit my favorite sister?"

  Rolling her eyes at him she said, "Usually, and I'm your only sister."

  "That doesn't make it any less meaningful," he assured.

  Laughing, Penny asked, "Why are you here?"

  Taking a seat, Braden answered, "I'm kinda homeless right now and I was hoping you'd let me crash here for a while."

  With a miserable expression, Penny suggested, "Go stay with mom."

  "Do you just hate me?"

  "You can have my old room," she teased with a smirk.

  Giving her a pleading look, Braden begged, "Come on, you know if I stay at Auggie's we'll be fighting the whole time and Liv's crazy mad at me so I can't stay at Kieran's. Please."

  "Alight," Penny sighed before informing, "But you have to ask Charlotte too."

  Like he was proud of himself, Braden blurted, "Sweet!" before leaning back in the chair asking, "So what's for breakfast."

  Leaning her head back, Penny made an irritated noise before walking out of the room.

  Sipping his coffee, Seth enjoyed listening to Penny and Braden's exchange. He'd always wondered what it would have been like to have siblings.

  As he started to wonder if that would have taken some of the pressure off him growing up as an only child, he heard Braden ask, "You stay here last night?"

  Unsure what was going to happen next, he replied, "Yes."

  Nodding, Braden questioned, "What's up with you and Penny?"

  "I moved in next door and she kind of befriended me," Seth replied feeling like he should smile at the thought.

  "Makes sense, she has a thing for losers."

  Slightly offended, he said, "Okay."

  Laughing Braden slapped Seth's arm, clarifying, "Not you, man," before informing, "That y'all are friends. She's mostly into guys that hang around the shop because they don't work and piece of shit drummer's that'll screw just about anyone."

  Nodding, Seth couldn't help being a little disappointed. Clearly he wasn't her type.

  ~

  Standing in her room, Penny needed a moment. It was actually a good thing Braden showed up when he did because when Seth touched her hand with that curious look in his eyes, she could feel herself starting to give in. Mentally reminding herself, 'Only friendship feelings' she did her best to put wanting him to look at her the way he did last night out of her mind.

  Focused and determined to keep her overly friendly feelings for Seth at bay, Penny left her room and walked into the living room to find her brother stretched out on the couch.

  "Where's Seth?"

  Without opening his eyes, Braden said, "He went home."

  "Oh," Penny sighed, wishing he had hung around a little longer.

  Keeping his eyes closed, he shared, "He likes you."

  Wishing his eyes were open so he could see the mean look she was shooting him, Penny sneered, "Of course he does, we're friends."

  A wide smile spread across his face as he informed, "You like him too."

  "No I don't," she insisted.

  "Why not? Thought y'all were friends."

  Knowing her brother would eventually get the truth out of her if the conversation kept going, Penny snapped, "Shut up, stupid," and walked back to her room.

  Fourteen

  After having Braden living in the apartment, monopolizing the couch, and Auggie being there every day when Charlotte woke up, until it was time to open the bar, Penny finally had Thursday night all to herself. Liv was still mad at Braden but had calmed down enough to have him over for their weekly pizza and beer night. Her plan for the evening was to make a few more batches of cotton candy lip balm for the last weekend of the fair. Then, she was looking forward to taking a nice hot bath, curl up on the couch and watch a movie.

  She had barely seen Seth all week and guessed he was busy. Otherwise, she would have asked him over. Both Auggie and Braden seemed to like him which was nice but she was hoping he would be her friend instead of theirs.

  It was probably nice for Seth because she was pretty sure he didn't have any friends but if that was the case she would still be left at square one, after Charlotte and Auggie got married. Not to mention if Braden was still staying with her, she would need a friend.

  Although Penny loved her brother, he was not easy to live with. He was messy, never picked up after himself, didn't cook, wouldn't wash a dish or his clothes. Growing up under the same roof with him was enough to have lasted her a lifetime. She swore if he used the term 'woman's work' one more time in her presence, she was going to have to throat punch him.

  Waiting for her lip balms to set up on the table, Penny cleaned up after herself before heading out of the kitchen. Ready to lose herself in bubbles and warm water, she stopped in the middle of the living room. As she mentally pleaded, 'Don't be Braden. Don't be Braden' she stepped over to the door.

  To Penny's pleasant surprise, Seth was standing on the other side of the door when she looked out of the peephole.

  Opening the door, she cheered, "Hi!"

  Seth looked down at his feet asking, "Can I come in?"

  Nodding she let him in, wondering if something was wrong.

  "Is everything okay?"

  "Would you like to go to the fair?" he questioned, appearing nervous.

  Trying her best to think clearly while her insides were doing summersaults, she asked, "When?"

  "Now or tonight...Tonight," he replied seemingly unsure of himself.

  Penny hesitantly asked, "On a date?"

  Seth looked like he was going to say something and then paused before answering, "As friends."

  Relieved and disappointed at the same time, she smiled, saying, "Okay, wait here. I'll just go change and then we can go."

  ~

  Seth stood in Penny's living room silently admonishing himself for being a complete and total wuss. He could have said 'yes' and she may have said 'okay'. If she hadn't then, he could have offered to go as friends. Now he would never know what she might have said because he took the safe route.

  It wasn't long before Penny walked back into the living room. Seth noticed she had a slight bounce to her walk. It was almost like she wanted to skip but was holding herself back. Smiling at Penny and her cheerful nature he envisioned her skipping everywhere she went.

  "I guess we're taking your car," she said in teasing tone.

  Wanting to reach down and hold her hand, he nodded, replying, "It would be nice for my legs not go numb."

  With a little laugh, Penny nodded back.

  Seth wanted to stare at her but kept his eyes focused on the road instead. She was unusually quiet. Glancing at her every chance he could, he knew something was different. Maybe she was upset he hadn't really spoken to her since Sunday. He had purposely avoided her but it wasn't because he didn't want to talk to her. The truth was, he was trying to work up the nerve to ask her out.

  It had become easier to talk to her as he got to know her better. However, the second he let his mind wonder or dwelled too long on the fact that less than a week ago he had his arms around her, panic would set in.

  Knowing the type of guy Penny was accustom to, thanks to Braden, boosted his confidence enough, where she was concerned, to invite her out. Obviously she didn't know what it was like to be with someone who would treat her right. Someone who knew she was unique and one of a kind. Seth wasn't sure if he was that guy either but he wanted her and although a 'friend date' wasn't what was on his mind, it was definitely a step in the right direction, maybe.

  Surprised that Penny waited for him to open the passenger door for her when they arrived at the County Fair, he started to feel hopeful about where the night might lead. He resisted the urge to take her hand by reminding himself of the
awkward expression she had on her face when she asked if this was a date.

  As they headed to the entrance, Penny asked, "What do you wanna ride first?"

  "I don't ride rides," he replied in an apologetic tone.

  "Oh."

  "Do you want to walk through the livestock?"

  Scrunching up her face at him, Penny shared, "I don't like farm animals."

  Thinking to himself, 'Yea the fair was a great idea' Seth offered, "Would you like to walk around and get a bite to eat?"

  Nodding, Penny smiled as she replied, "Sounds good."

  Relieved they reached a compromise, he quickly stepped up to the booth and bought both their tickets just in case she planned to argue about it.

  Seth held back a smile as Penny noticeably held her breath through the livestock area when they entered the gates.

  Once they made it to the concession area, she took a deep breath and hopped in front of him, saying, "Food's on me."

  "No, I invited you out. I'm paying," he replied in a serious tone.

  Placing her hand on her hip, Penny fussed "When I go out with friends, they don't pay for me."

  A bit frustrated with her, he fussed back, "Well, I didn't want to go out as friends," before thinking it through.

  Scowling at him she took a step back asking, "Then why did you say you did?"

  Taking a look around to see people staring at them as he realized they were arguing in the middle of the concession area, he said, "Let's get something to eat and sit down."

  "No," she snapped before assuring, "I'm not doing anything with you until you answer me."

  As the embarrassment of everyone staring started to set in, Seth lowered his voice as he informed, "You're making a scene."

  "You want me to make a scene?" Penny raised her voice.

  "Seriously, Penny," Seth stressed through gritted teeth.

  Shaking her head at him, she argued, "No, you lured me out under false pretenses."

  Seth couldn't believe she was doing this to him and in public.

  The longer he stood there staring at her the madder he became. Who gets upset because someone wants to pay? All of the sudden the crowd around them no longer mattered to him. This was getting settled right here right now.