One Penny: A Marked Heart Novel by M. Sembera, Margaret Civella

could work behind the bar at The Dog House until he finds another job. So Auggie's training him tonight."
    Wearing a wide smile, Braden left the apartment.
    Shaking her head at the sheer insanity of her brother and Jacks, Auggie and Braden working together was a terrible idea.
    "They can't work together."
    "I know. I doubt they'll make it through tonight without getting into a fight."
    Nodding Penny agreed saying, "You know I'm starting to think Braden likes inviting trouble into his life."
    Laughing a little, Charlotte shared, "He needs a girlfriend."
    "And his own place."
    Nodding, Charlotte replied, "Why did I agree to let him stay here again?"
    "Because, he has that goofy smile that no one can say no to."
    "Yea, he's a charmer," Charlotte laughed before saying, "I better go before they kill each other before we even get to the bar."
    "Alright."
    Penny smiled as she gave a little wave before heading to her room.
    Sitting on her bed, she stared at her wrist for a while before changing shirts and walking back into the living room.
    "Oh! Hey," she blurted, surprised to see Seth standing there.
    Pointing to the door, he said, "Charlotte said to just go in and they would meet us out at Kieran's later."
    "You're coming with me?" she asked, trying to hold back how excited she was.
    Seth's face fell as he replied, "Braden invited me but I don't have..."
    "No," she cut him off before assuring, "I want you to."
    "Congratulations on your new career, by the way," he said eyeing her wrist.
    As Penny watched him slowly smiled at her, she thought 'This has got to be the best day ever'.
    ~
    On edge the entire way out to Kieran's, Seth felt welcomed when he came with Auggie but had no idea how he would be perceived when he showed up with just Penny.
    When they arrived, Kieran was sitting on the porch.
    As Seth and Penny made their way onto the porch, Kieran greeted them saying, "How's about ya Seth? Pull up a chair," and, "Liv's, inside."
    Waiting for Penny to go inside before pulling up a chair, he sat down.
    "You and Penny, huh?" Kieran questioned with a 'Careful how you answer' expression on his face.
    "That's what I'm hoping," Seth replied.
    "Want some advice?"
    Wondering if 'stay away from her' was going to be the next thing out of his mouth Seth nodded.
    "Penny's been with different versions of the same loser type guy since she started dating. Do you know why?"
    Seth shook his head.
    "Because they come onto her. Penny doesn't understand beating around the bush. Do you see what I'm saying?"
    "I'm not sure."
    "I'm not tellin' ya to hook up with her. What I'm sayin' is, if you like her and are goin' to treat her with respect, then you're gonna have to be a man about it."
    "Okay," he replied not fully understanding what Kieran meant but glad that he somewhat gave him his blessing where Penny was concerned.
    ~
    The evening was a lot of fun. They ate Liv's Jambalaya, played dominos, a card game called Spades, which Seth had never heard of but as it turned out was very good at, and laughed most of the night. Charlotte texted Liv around one o'clock letting her know that they would have to pass on coming over. Not long after that, Penny said she was ready to call it a night and they headed out.
    Standing on the balcony right outside Penny's door, Seth reached down and wrapped his hand around hers.
    "Would you like me to walk you in?"
    Pursing her lips into a smile, she replied, "I'm sure Braden's on the couch already so..."
    Not wanting the moment to pass him by, he offered, "Would you like to walk me in, then?"
    "Sure," with a sweet expression on her face.
    Leading her to his door, Seth let go of her hand and unlocked it allowing her to go in first.
    Once they were both inside, he closed his door and turned to her. Taking her hand in his again, he lifted it, lightly smiling at her tattoo. Two interlocking hearts, one upside down and the other, right side up.
    "Did it hurt?" he asked focusing on the space in the center of both hearts.
    Drawing