Nine
Zach’s concerned expression was the first sight Pen saw when she opened her eyes.
She reached for her forehead, where a damp weight sat, and pulled away a black washcloth.
He took it from her. “Stef, rewet this for me?”
His sister jumped to help, returning in a few seconds with a much cooler cloth. Zach pressed it to Pen’s forehead again.
“No more high heels,” he told her, a muscle flinching in his cheek.
“Leave her alone.” Stef entered her range of vision again, this time with a water bottle. “Sip this, Pen.”
Zach helped her sit up some and then Pen drank from the water bottle, her head much clearer than before. She’d been relocated to an enormous sitting room with settees and low coffee tables and several groupings of chairs. She looked down to find she was resting on a dove-gray chaise longue.
“You passed out. Did you eat today?” That was Zach, his voice low and angry, but his innate tenderness outlined every word.
“I ate a little,” Pen mumbled, sitting up and putting her feet on the floor—her bare feet. “Where are my shoes?”
“I’ll carry you to the limo. You’re not putting those things on again.” His mouth pulled down at the corners.
“Yes, I am. I can wear high heels as well as I can flats. Better, in fact.”
“It’s second nature after a while,” Stef concurred. Then to Pen, she added, “He’s being overly concerned.”
“We need to check with the doctor.” He stood from his kneeling position on the floor in front of her and sat on the edge of the lounger. “To make sure nothing’s wrong.”
“She’s light-headed! There’s nothing wrong.” Stef rolled her eyes and took a bite out of what appeared to be a ham sandwich.
Pen’s mouth watered. She literally licked her lips.
“Want half?” Stefanie offered a plate with the other half of her sandwich. “There was too much fancy food out there so I went to the kitchen and made a ham and cheese on white bread like a real American.”
“I can get you anything you like from the caterer, Pen. You don’t have to—” Zach started to argue.
“If you don’t mind.” She reached past him for the plate and Stef handed it over. Pen took one bite, then another, and in no time the half sandwich was demolished. “Thank you so much.”
Zach took the plate. “Better?”
Pen slugged back the rest of the water and let out a satisfied Mmm. “Much better.”
“Guess we forgot the eating for two part, didn’t we?” He pushed a lock of hair away from her face before his eyes went wide at his faux pas.
“Oh my God! You guys are pregnant?” Stef stood from her seat on top of the coffee table, the remainder of her sandwich still in one hand. “I’m so excited! I’m going to be an aunt!”
“Stef,” Zach growled. “We haven’t told anyone yet.”
His sister promptly returned her derrière to the coffee table and pressed her lips closed. She mimed zipping her lips but when she looked back to Pen, she air clapped.
“I’m going to take you home.” Zach stood. “My home, where you’ll be staying.” He leveled Pen with an impatient glare before leaving the sitting room.
“Bossy.” Stef polished off her sandwich and dusted her hands on her skirt like she was wearing jeans instead of Carolina Herrera.
“What does he mean ‘where I’ll be staying?’” she asked herself, but Stef answered.
“While you were unconscious, Zach said he was going to ask you to move in with him.” Stef turned to study the doorway he’d disappeared through. “I guess that was his way of asking.”
* * *