Something's Gotta Give

Chapter 6

Sydney and Cole left on Sunday morning and Sam and Penny fell back into their regular routine. It was as if the previous weekend hadn't happened. The only change was that Penny was calling Sam, Sam,and Sam had started having his breakfasts in the kitchen.

The first few days had been a bit awkward, but now after only five days she looked forward to starting her day by sharing a meal. They didn't talk much, if at all, but the silent companionship was nice. She had screwed up the courage to ask Sam if she could have her study group meet at the house and he had, surprisingly, agreed.

So here it was Friday, and she was making coffee for the group when the first of them arrived. It was five and they always studied until six-thirty which would give her half an hour to clean up before Sam got home for the evening. Her goal was not to let the group affect him at all.

Carla was the first to arrive and Penny moved to the front door to answer the ringing doorbell. She would have preferred to have the group meet out on the porch but it was much too hot.

Carla whistled as she entered the hallway. "You landed on your feet didn't you?"

"No, not really, none of this is mine and I hope that you remember that."

Carla looked offended for a minute before she shrugged it off and followed Penny down to the end on the hallway and into the kitchen, peeking into the other rooms as she passed them. No sooner had she gotten Carla a cup of coffee then the doorbell rang again and she went to answer, it admitting Jason and Marie, who both had similarly impressed looks on their faces.

"I took a haunted coach tour with my family when they visited last year and this house was talked about," Marie said, looking around excitedly. "Is the house haunted, have you ever seen a ghost?"

Penny shook her head. "No, the house isn't haunted." She helped the others get their drinks and then they all sat at the table and spread their stuff out around them. Penny couldn't help but think that Jason seemed unusually subdued as he kept shooting them all covert glances.

"Does anyone know why Linda decided to leave the group?" he asked as he reached into his bag for a pencil.

Carla shrugged as she opened her notebook. "She said something about a change in her work schedule."

Penny paused, looking at Carla and then at Jason. She knew for a fact that Linda didn't work. She said her parents were paying for her school and she didn't want to get a job until after she graduated. They had been treated to a long dramatic spiel from her about how she planned to enjoy her youth while she had it to enjoy.

She pushed aside the sudden unease that she felt, as they started to review what they had learned in class earlier that week. They had been at it for an hour when Penny heard Sam's truck and watched as he entered through the backdoor.

"Hello everyone," he greeted.

Penny stood, suddenly nervous and she didn't know why. "Sam, this is Jason, Marie, and Carla, y'all this is Sam Evers." He nodded and Penny couldn't help but think how handsome he looked. He had lost his tie on the way home and she knew it would be tucked into his suit jacket's pocket, the top button to his white dress shirt was undone and his well-fitted navy suit still looked sharp.

"It's nice to meet you all. I'll just get my coffee and then get out of your way."

Penny noted that Marie and Carla were watching him with fascination as he moved around the kitchen getting his cup of coffee. Once he was finished he left the room without another word.

They all went back to their studying but it was about time to wrap it up, so a few minutes later they called it and started to gather their things together.

"You're a sly one Penny, no wonder you didn't want to have our study sessions here, you didn't want to share him." Carla grinned at her. "I can't blame you for that."

Marie smiled at Carla's comment. "What does Mr. Handsome do for a living?"

Penny was silent not really wanting to continue the conversation.

"He's a heart surgeon," Jason supplied.

"How do you know that?" Carla asked, her eyes narrowing at Jason. So Penny wasn't the only one that didn't trust him.

"He was my grandfather's surgeon a few years ago when he had his heart attack. From what my mother said he's one of the best in the country and we were lucky to have him. He's pioneered some new technique that makes the recovery time much shorter."

"So he's rich and handsome. Good for you Penny." Carla winked at her.

No longer able to take their comments any longer she started to herd them all towards the backdoor. "I just work for him."

"Sure you do."

Penny did her best to ignore the smug smile on Carla's face as she left, followed closely by Marie. Jason took a moment to look at her with an expression she had never seen from him before. It started at her toes and slowly worked its way up to the top of her head lingering on her breasts longer than was necessary. "You hide it well, I'll give you that."

"Excuse me?" Penny asked, "I hide what well?" His look gave her the heebee jeebees.

"Oh nothing, bye Penny." He winked at her just as Carla had and was gone.

She watched them leave getting angrier and angrier as she thought about their underhanded comments. When they were gone she returned to the kitchen slamming the door behind her.

"Careful, you don't want to break the window."

Sam was leaning against the counter in his slacks and shirt holding a fresh cup of coffee, watching her. Penny was doing her best to hold in her temper. He was her boss and she couldn't go off on him. She tried to find her usual serene look but couldn't manage to find it. All she could think about was their lewd comments and implications about her having an affair with Sam.

She started to gather up the cups on the table and carried them over to the sink, beginning to rinse them.

"I don't think I have ever seen you mad before."

Penny remained silent not saying anything knowing she was about to snap. She had always had a temper but she had learned to control it a long time ago. She did allow herself to shoot him her best death stare which he only laughed at, making her angrier.

"Why do you drink so much damn coffee, and why are you home so early!"

His eyes widened in shock then narrowed. "It's my house and I can come home as early as I please, and perhaps if your coffee wasn't so good I wouldn't drink so much of it. Why, did I ruin your chances with the young Casanova in the group?"

Penny couldn't help the shudder that racked her body at the thought. "No."

"Then why are you so upset?"

It was jealousy pure and simple. "I didn't want the group to upset your schedule." It wasn't a direct lie but it wasn't the whole truth.

He kept watching her while draining his cup then he set it in the sink, his arm brushing hers as he did so. He smelled so good. Penny turned away from him and started to put the cups in the dishwasher.

"I'll be sure to enter through the front door next time so I won't disturb your group or be disturbed."

She nodded not saying anything. Not trusting her voice.

"I'm going out this evening so don't worry about dinner," He said as he left the kitchen.

For some reason his comment made her anger, which had begun to fade, flare up all over again. She didn't doubt that he had a hot date with some beautiful woman. She had to bite her tongue not to yell out a smart comment.