14. Don’t Go Stealing My Heart

DON'T GO STEALING MY HEART

PENELOPE

I blinked rapidly, trying to process what had just happened. One minute I was sailing through speed dates, feeling more confident than I had in years, and the next, Everett Kingman was sitting across from me, looking like he'd just run a marathon.

I didn't know whether to be hurt or excited that he didn't want to be my love coach anymore, whether to protest or sing hallelujah.

Before I could sort through my feelings, he grabbed my hand.

It was like someone had cranked up the heat and electricity in the room. Every nerve ending in my body seemed to focus on that single point of contact. Everett's hand was warm, slightly calloused from years of catching footballs, and it fit perfectly around mine.

I opened my mouth, not sure what I was going to say, but knowing I had to say something. This was Everett. The guy who'd been trying to help me find a date, for crying out loud. He couldn't possibly mean...

The shrill sound of a bell cut through the air, making us both jump. Everett's hand tightened on mine for a split second before he let go, leaving my skin tingling.

"Oh my goodness, is that Everett Kingman jumping into the fray?" A perky blonde woman in a floral dress appeared at our table, clipboard in hand and excitement radiating from every pore. She looked from Everett to me and back again, her smile growing wider by the second.

"I can't believe it." She was so giddy, she was practically vibrating. "Ladies and gentlemen, we have one of the biggest sports stars, and I know you ladies remember that underwear ad, joining our speed dating event tonight."

I watched as Everett's face cycled through a series of expressions—surprise, frustration, and finally, a resigned sort of panic. He looked at me, his eyes pleading for... what? Help? Understanding?

"Ev," I started, not sure what I was going to say. We needed to talk. That much was clear. But with everyone's eyes on us and this overly enthusiastic event organizer practically ready to be the Mrs. Claus of the dating world, now was definitely not the time.

"You should go to the next table," I said, surprised by how steady my voice sounded. "We can talk after, okay?"

Everett hesitated, looking like he wanted to say more. But then he nodded, standing up slowly. "Yeah, okay. After."

As the event organizer ushered him to the next table, chattering about what an honor it was to have him participate, I slumped back in my chair. My mind was going through a thousand mental checklists, trying to make sense of what had just happened.

What had Everett been about to say? And more importantly, why was I hugely disappointed that he hadn't gotten to finish? He could have just been ready to tell me I didn't need him anymore and that he was leaving me to the wolves.

But he wouldn't do that. Not my Everett.

The sound of someone clearing their throat snapped me back to reality. I looked up to see my next speed date sliding into the chair across from me, a charming smile on his face.

"Hi, I'm Odin," he said, extending his hand. "You know, the guy on FlipFlop with the axe? And you must be the luckiest girl here, getting to be the first one with Everett Kingman himself tonight."

I plastered on a smile and shook his hand, all while my eyes drifted to where Everett sat at the next table, which happened to be where Simone was sitting. "Yeah," I murmured. "Lucky me."

"So, Penelope Quinn, assistant to the fabulous Kelsey Best," Odin said, leaning in with a smile that was probably meant to be charming but came off as smarmy. "I have to say, I'm a big fan. You probably know I went mega viral for saying I loved fat-bottomed girls who make the rocking world go round."

I forced a smile, trying not to cringe. I did know who he was, unfortunately. His "body-positive" video had been all over social media, but his product line of health and fitness products he launched since then that were so very diet culture revealed his true colors.

"Right, of course," I said, my tone flat. "How could I forget?"

Odin didn't seem to notice my lack of enthusiasm. He leaned in closer, lowering his voice conspiratorially. "You know, I've always had a thing for curvy women. There's just more to love, you know what I mean?"

I felt my skin crawl. The way he said it, like he was doing me a favor by finding me attractive, made me want to dump my drink over his head. Instead, I just nodded, my eyes once again drifting to the table next to us.

Everett sat there, looking uncomfortable as Simone leaned in close. When we'd realized we were both at the event, Simone and I had exchanged friendly hellos and wished each other luck. But now, watching her with Everett, I felt a surge of irritation. Hadn't I tried to set them up before? So why did seeing them together now bother me so much?

"Hey, earth to Penelope," Odin snapped his fingers and his voice cut through my thoughts. "You seem a little distracted. You don't have to feel self-conscious around me, you know? I like what you've got going on."

I blinked, forcing myself to focus on the man in front of me. "Sorry, I'm just... it's been a long night. Lots of dates, you know?"

Odin's eyes lit up. "Oh, I totally get it. Sometimes the pressure of meeting new people when you're as recognizable as me can be overwhelming. Especially for girls like you, who might not be used to so much attention."

Uh. My eyebrows shot into the atmosphere before I could stop them. Girls like me? What was that supposed to mean?

But before I could respond, I caught a snippet of conversation from the next table.

"...hoped we might get to meet again," Simone was saying, her voice low and intimate.

My heart rate kicked up a notch. This was good, right? This was what I wanted. Everett deserved someone great like Simone. So why did I feel so possessive of him right now?

"You know," Odin was saying, oblivious to my inner turmoil, "I've been thinking about doing a series on body positivity. Maybe you could help me out? Give me some insights into what it's like to be, you know, not conventionally attractive but still confident?"

I stared at him, momentarily shocked out of my Everett-induced haze. "Excuse me?"

Odin held up his hands. "I mean it as a compliment. You're so brave, putting yourself out there like this."

Any other time, I might have told Odin exactly where he could shove his bravery. Existing in a fat body wasn't brave, it was my fucking life. A life I loved.

But right now, all I could think about was Everett's words from earlier. I don't want you going out with any of these fucking guys.

What had he meant by that? And why couldn't I stop thinking about it?

I nodded absently, my attention caught by a change in Everett's posture. He was leaning back now, his arms crossed. Did that mean he wasn't interested in Simone? Or was he just listening intently?

"...so what do you say?"Odin was asking, his eyes eager. "Want to collab on my body positivity series? Maybe I could get you over to my place and we could swing my axe around."

"I'll have to check my schedule," I said, not entirely sure what I was agreeing to.

And then I heard it. Simone's voice, clear as day:

"...shoot my shot right here and now. It seems like the stars have aligned. Everett, I'd love if you would go to the Grampys with me. What do you say?"

The world seemed to tilt on its axis. Everett at the awards show with Simone? That couldn't happen. It shouldn't happen. But why not? Wasn't this exactly what I'd been working towards?

My hands were shaking. I reached for my glass of water, needing something to do, something to ground me.

"Whoa, careful," Odin exclaimed, but it was too late.

The glass slipped from my trembling fingers, sending a cascade of ice-cold water directly into Odin's lap.

"Oh no," I said and even threw in a faux gasp, watching the water soak into Odin's plaid shirt and designer jeans. In a deadpan voice, I added, "I'm so sorry. Why don't you just take your shirt off, you know, for the likes."

I wasn't sorry. Not one bit. I should have tossed my drink on him after his first backhanded insult. And I definitely wasn't paying attention to his sputtering protests. My entire focus was on the conversation happening at the next table.

"The awards show?" Everett was saying, his voice carrying clearly in the sudden hush that had fallen over our corner of the room. "I, uh... actually, I was hoping to go to that."

My heart leapt into my throat. Was he about to agree to go to the Grampys with Simone?

"Oh?" Simone's voice was bright with interest. "That would be great."

Everett nodded and looked over at me. "I was just thinking..."

But I didn't wait to hear the rest. My mind raced ahead, filling in the blanks. Of course he was going to say yes to Simone. Why wouldn't he? She was beautiful, confident, and clearly interested in him. Everything I wasn't.

Something hot and angry unfurled in my chest. Without thinking, I reached out and grabbed Odin's still-full fancy-ass glass of beer.

"Penelope, what are you—" Odin started, but I was already on my feet.

Two steps brought me to Everett's table. He looked up, surprise written all over his stupid handsome face.

"Pen? What's wrong?" He looked over at Odin and glared at him. "Are you giving me the signal?"

What's wrong? Everything was wrong. This whole ridiculous situation was wrong.

"Congratulations," I said, my voice shaking. "Looks like you found a date for the Grampys. I didn't even know you wanted to go."

And then, before he could respond, before I could think better of it, I upended the glass of beer over Everett's head.

The foamy bubbles cascaded down his face, soaking into his crisp white shirt. Everett sputtered, jumping to his feet. Simone let out a little shriek of surprise.

"Pen, what the hell?" Everett gasped, wiping beer from his eyes.

But I was already moving, pushing past gawking speed-daters and making a beeline for the exit. I could hear the murmur of shocked voices behind me, could practically feel the weight of all those stares.

I didn't care. I just needed to get out of there.

The cool night air hit me as I burst out of the bar, but it did nothing to calm the storm of emotions raging inside me.

"Penelope, wait." Everett's voice. Of course he'd followed me. I quickened my pace, my heels clicking frantically on the pavement. I didn't even know where I was going. He'd driven me here, and it wasn't like I was going to walk all the way back to Thornminster.

"Pen, please. Talk to me, tell me what that was all about in there."

His hand caught my arm, gently turning me to face him. In the glow of the neon signs of the bars, clubs, and streetlights, I could see the droplets of beer still clinging to his hair. He looked ridiculous.

He looked beautiful.

"What do you want, Everett?" I asked, hating how my voice cracked on his name.

"I want to understand what just happened in there," he said, his eyes searching mine. "One minute you're having a speed date with that douchepotato, and the next you're dumping his beer on my head and running out."

I laughed, but there was no humor in it. "Having a speed date? Is that what you were doing when you just agreed to go to the awards show with Simone while I had to sit there and listen to Odin talk about how brave I am for daring to date while fat?"

Everett's brow furrowed. "What? Pen, I didn't agree to go with Simone. I was about to tell her that I... Wait. He fucking said what? I'm going to fucking murder him. Call my goddamn agent and tell him we're going to need that insurance on my hands tonight because I'm going to beat that asshole to a bloody pulp."

He clenched his fists but when I expected him to turn and run back inside to defend my... honor, or body, or life, he just stood there, staring down at me, so many emotions raging through his eyes. His chest rose and fell like a man possessed, but his feet were glued to the ground in front of me.

I shook my head, suddenly feeling very tired. "It doesn't matter. None of this matters. I don't know why I thought I could do this. I don't know why I let you talk me into it."

"Pen..." Everett's voice was soft now, gentle in a way that made my heart ache. "What's really going on here?"

I looked up at him, at this man who'd turned my world upside down without even realizing it. I wanted to tell him that Kelsey was right, that I did have feelings for him. That somewhere along the way, when he was teaching me how to date, I'd fallen in love with him.

I didn't get the chance, because Everett grabbed my face in his hands and crushed his mouth down on mine, kissing me, taking my breath away, making me go weak in the knees.

Stealing my heart.