30. Support System

SUPPORT SYSTEM

Penny opensthe passenger door roughly and slams it behind her when I pick her up.

"Bad day?"

"Jessa quit," she says, crossing her arms over her chest.

"Because of her relationship with Aiden?" I question, hoping that this doesn't set us two steps back.

"No, she just didn't feel like dealing with the bullshit anymore. Zach was a real dick to her."

"Color me surprised," I say under my breath.

"I really don't feel like going out to eat tonight."

"Takeout and rotting in bed, it is."

She turns towards me and gives me a small smile. "You just get it," she replies.

I reverse the car and head to my favorite Chinese spot with my hand on her thigh the entire ride.

We're lyingin my bed, watching a show that Penny has seen a million times, when Penny's phone buzzes on the nightstand. She grabs it and she gasps when she sees the text.

"What is it?" I ask.

"The papers weren't Zach or someone from the office. It was Jessa's ex. He tried to attack her and Aiden."

"Are they okay?" I ask, fear for my brother racing through me grabbing my phone, attempting to call Aiden, he sends me to voicemail.

She stares at her phone and nods her head.

"Aiden says he'll tell me more details later. They are both safe and at his house, Jessa is really shaken up. I'm going to try and go see her tomorrow for lunch to get a gauge on how she's handling things. Her ex is in custody."

Penny stares at her phone a little longer and mine buzzes with a text from Aiden letting me know what happened and to not worry and that they are safe.

"They could have been seriously hurt," she breathes out, clutching her chest.

"But they're not, they're safe."

She nods her head, sending one last message to Aiden before putting her phone away.

"They're safe." She sighs and rests her head against the pillow. "I really hope Jessa is okay. I can't imagine how scared she must have been."

"She's with Aiden. He'll make sure she's okay."

"You're sure?"

"It's the same thing I would do for you."

She bites her lip and nods. Something about that clicks with her and calms her nerves. But it's true. Aiden is protective and strong. She's in good hands. He will make sure that she's safe and they can work through this together.

"He wants you to visit tomorrow?" I reiterate and she nods.

"Do you think you could take me over there tomorrow? I know you're probably?—"

"I'll take you, it isn't a big deal."

"I really should start driving again," she sighs.

I realize then that I never asked her why she didn't drive places. I kind of just always liked that she depended on me in that way.

"Why don't you drive?"

"Promise not to laugh?"

"I promise."

"I watched the most fucked-up documentary about this woman driving on the wrong side of the road and everyone she killed in the crash and ever since then I just… I don't know, I can't stomach driving. It didn't hurt that Kemper's is right down the street. Everyone is close, and you were always willing to give me a ride. I think I got comfortable in this little bubble of my life."

"I can just continue driving you everywhere," I suggest, and she snuggles up against my chest.

"Or I could work on being braver. Knowing what Jessa went through today, and how strong she is, I want to be more like her."

"You don't need to compare yourself to her," I tell her honestly.

"She's been through so much and?—"

"So have you. You're brave. Look at where you are right now, in my bed. That's brave. Taking the interview with Krystal would be brave, too."

"Did you talk to her?"

I nod and grab her hand, interlacing our fingers and kissing the back of her hand. "She has a proposition for you."

"What is it?"

"I think I'll leave that to Krystal," I say, knowing it will drive her crazy. She glares at me, but there's no heat to it.

"Pretty sure you were put on this earth to torture me, Lincoln Carlson."

"You're not wrong," I reply and pull her tighter to my chest.

I can't imagine what Aiden is going through right now. The only reason I'm not panicking is because he specifically said that they were okay. But the idea of Penny being in that type of danger makes my stomach sink.

"I'll check in on Aiden while you meet with Jessa tomorrow," I say against her hair.

"I think he'd like that. I wonder how serious everything got. I mean, I knew her ex was a controlling asshole, but to break into her cottage?"

"They're okay," I repeat.

She rests her hand against my chest as we lie on my bed and I send up a prayer that this is the way I spend the rest of my life. In my bed, knowing my family is safe, with the girl I love in my arms.

Penny takesher and Jessa's food upstairs to Aiden's room while I hang out with him in the kitchen.

"How bad was it?" I ask. He looks like shit. His green eyes are weary and heavy with bags from lack of sleep.

He scrubs his chin, and the scratch against his scruff is audible.

"The bastard had a fucking gun," he says, gripping the edge of the counter. "I thought…" He shakes his head, and the intrusive thought away. "I've never been so fucking scared in my life."

I rest a hand on his shoulder and squeeze for comfort.

"You're okay, she's okay."

Aiden looks up at the ceiling like he's able to see what she and Penny are talking about right now.

"Physically, yeah. Everything else?" He lets out a groan of frustration and sits on the bar stool and rests his chin in his hands. "I love her more than anything. He almost took her from me."

"But he didn't. You took care of her, you're taking care of her. You need to take care of yourself, too."

He glances up at me and then back down at the table.

"I know, I will."

"Delegate more at the office, work from home. Put you and Jessa first. Fuck the rest."

"You're right," he agrees.

He looks at me skeptically. "Since when do you give sound advice?"

Since I also met the person who means the most to me, but I don't say that, at least not yet. Now that I have Penny in the capacity I want, we'll take it at her speed to tell the family. As much as I've pushed and pushed over the last few months, it's time to let her run the show.

"I'm very wise. You just never noticed."

Penny comes down the stairs looking a little downtrodden, she barely spent any time up there.

"Jessa wanted to lie down for a bit," she says with a sigh and scrolls through her phone. "She really wasn't in the mood for talking, but my therapist's office does virtual appointments. Maybe you'd like to mention it to her?"

Aiden gives Penny a warm smile. "Thanks, Pen. We didn't get much sleep last night. This was probably too much too soon. I'll let you know when she's ready for you to visit again."

Penny smiles at him and looks like she's contemplating something. "Whatever you need at the office, just let me know."

I wince, feeling guilty over the plans I have for Penny and how that might affect Aiden. But my brother remembers fucking everything and just gives me a look, knowing I wanted her to come to Vegas with my company.

"Thanks, Penny. Working from home shouldn't be much different. It's time for Zach to step up if he still wants to have a part in the company, anyway."

Just the mention of that asshole's name has me wanting to drive to Kemper's and kick his ass. But, hopefully, Penny won't be working there much longer, anyway.

"Thanks for coming by, I appreciate it."

"We'd do anything for you, Aiden," Penny says, hugging my brother.

"I'd do the same for you two."

Let's hope that's true when the time comes to tell our family that we're in a relationship.

"We'll plan something soon," he assures Penny and we leave Aiden's house.

As soon as we get into the car Penny huffs in frustration.

"She looked terrible."

"Remember how brave you said she was yesterday? She'll get through this, especially with Aiden at her side."

"You're right," she agrees, grabbing my hand and kissing my knuckles before placing it on my lap.

I drive her to work, kissing her in the car goodbye and just enjoy the normalcy and domesticity of how our day started and how I hope it ends.

Penny has beena mess over Jessa over the last few days, but Aiden assures her that she's doing better and that she can come over soon.

She's even more fidgety knowing we're meeting with Krystal this morning.

"The blue or the black?" she says, holding up two dresses.

"The blue," I reply.

"Are you sure?"

"Yes, go get dressed, baby. It will be great. You have nothing to worry about."

"I haven't had an interview in years. What if I say something stupid or embarrass you?"

"One, you could never embarrass me, second, I say stupid shit all the time. Krystal will be used to it."

"Not helpful," she huffs, getting dressed and displaying her back to me. "Can you zip me up?"

I kiss her shoulder blades and zip up the dress, and she lets her pretty blonde hair fall down her back.

"Hey, you have no reason to be nervous."

"I guess I didn't realize how bad I wanted it, especially with Aiden and Jessa out of the office. It makes working there unbearable."

"You'll do great, you're a perfect fit," I tell her, placing a quick kiss on her lips. "Let's get going."

I drive to my office, Penny tapping her leg the whole drive. I lead her to the conference room, where Krystal is waiting.

"Meet me in my office later. You got this."

She takes a deep breath, entering the glass office and shaking Krystal's hand, while I head over to my office and get myself organized for the day. Time ticks by, and I take it as a good sign that Penny is still speaking to her.

I like that I was able to help with this; it's even better knowing she would be perfect for the job.

Nearly an hour later, a grinning Penny comes into my office, shutting the door behind her.

"She's amazing," she says dreamily.

"What did she say?"

"That she wants me to help you in Vegas to see how I do and then we can discuss a part-time position which could very quickly turn into full time. She wants to expand her client list, but with a baby on the way, that's a big undertaking. Krystal thinks I'd be a good fit."

"I told you that you would be."

She rounds my desk, resting her butt on the edge, and I swivel my chair to face her.

"Did you suggest the Vegas thing?" she asks.

I shrug, and she shakes her head.

"I have to prove myself on that trip. I'm not there to be your personal bed warmer," she chastises me.

"I'm fairly sure you're capable of doing both."

She rolls her eyes and sighs. "I feel guilty, though. What about Aiden?"

"Aiden will understand, I promise."

Her gaze narrows on me. "You already told him, didn't you?"

"Only about the Vegas trip. He already agreed to it while we were in The Bahamas. He knew it was coming."

"That was before everything went down."

"Penny."

She looks at me softly and I grab the back of her thighs. "You're earning this, you deserve this. Don't worry about the rest."

Her hands tangle in my hair and she leans in for a kiss. It's a soft press of her lips against mine as my office door opens.

"Oh, oh," Marie says in shock. "Hi Penny."

Penny's cheeks are red as she lifts herself off my desk.

"Hi Marie. See you around," she says, scurrying out of my office. I groan in annoyance as Marie's wide gaze meets mine.

"That's why you've been in a good mood?" she asks. "Oh, my God. Does your dad know?"

"Not currently, and I'd appreciate your discretion."

"Your secret is safe with me. I mean, wow, holy shit. But also… she makes sense for you," she says with a shrug.

"Thank you for your seal of approval. Is that all you needed?"

"Krystal wanted me to ask if we needed to book another room for the conference, but I'm going to go out on a limb and say that's a no."

I blink at her with a straight face. "Is that all?"

"That's all," she says with a smile that says she can't wait to go home and tell her husband everything.

I just hope getting spotted didn't set me back with Penny.

When will people learn to not enter through doors unless they are invited in?