One Penny: A Marked Heart Novel by M. Sembera, Margaret Civella Read Free Book Online

door for you."
    "Not necessary," she assured heading towards the doors.
    Seth skipped ahead of her and quickly pulled open one of the doors.
    "After you."
    Shaking her head with a laugh, Penny walked into The Dog House.
    The bar wasn't too crowded since it was the first night of the county fair, which meant it was free to get in, and most people were there. That is where her brother Braden was supposed to be too. Frowning the second she saw him on stage, singing in the most agonizingly monotone voice she'd ever heard, she caught sight of Brooks playing drums behind him.
    Turning back to Seth, she said, "We can get our drinks at the bar and then find a table."
    Nodding at her, he replied, "Okay," as they made their way up to the bar.
    Not wanting to leave Seth at the bar by himself, she texted Charlotte to let her know she was there.
    As they got closer, she noticed Liv sitting at the bar. Penny's brother Auggie was on the opposite side filling drink orders. When she didn't see any signs of Kieran, Penny figured whatever went down between them when Liv left the bridal shop, didn't end well. Liv rarely went out without her husband and if she did, it was with Penny or Charlotte. Stepping next to Liv, Penny nudged her.
    Glancing up at Penny and Seth, she said, "Hey," before looking back down into her drink.
    Seth tapped Penny on the shoulder before leaning to her ear asking, "Is she okay?"
    Turning to him she whispered back, "You know how sometimes people get loud and obnoxious when they have too much to drink?" Seth nodded as she shared, "Liv's the opposite of that."
    Continuing to nod, he said, "Scary."
    "Yep," she agreed before leaning forward and shouting, "Can we get some service down here bartender?"
    Making his way over, Auggie glanced at Seth before greeting, "Hey, Henny Penny."
    "Ugh, I hate when you call me that."
    "Who's this guy?"
    Before Penny could introduce him, Seth stuck his hand across the bar saying, "Seth."
    Auggie glared at him for a second before wiping his hand on the towel over his shoulder, and shaking his hand. Penny smiled, thinking 'wow that's a first'.
    "Seth... You look familiar," Auggie swore as he continued to stare at him.
    "He works for Jackson at JPT."
    She could tell Seth was getting nervous by the tone of his voice as he replied, "Yea, I've a... I've talked to you on the phone before."
    Auggie placed his hand over his mouth and scowled before running it down the front of his beard saying, "Nah, that's not it."
    "Okay well, in the meantime can we get our drinks?" Penny blurted hoping to get away from the bar before Auggie figured it out.
    Unfortunately, when Seth reached in his back pocket to pull out his wallet, Auggie slammed his hands down on the bar and shouted, "I got it!"
    "Uh..." was the only sound Seth made as Auggie's voice boomed across the bar.
    "I got it! You're Boyfriend Graveyard!"
    Penny placed her hand across her forehead and shook her head.
    While Auggie appeared proud of himself, Seth looked mortified. Almost everyone in the bar had taken notice of Auggie's outburst and were staring directly at Seth standing there with his wallet in his now shaky hand.
    "Ah, hell," Auggie laughed, shaking his head before saying, "Put your money away. It's on the house, man."
    About that time, Charlotte walked behind the bar. Penny thought maybe things would get better but no, they only got worse.
    Giving Penny an excited smile Charlotte greeted Seth saying, "Hey there neighbor."
    Auggie's amusement faded into a confused expression as he glanced at Penny, then Seth, then back to Charlotte.
    Pointing his thumb towards Penny and Seth, he questioned, "Boyfriend Graveyard is the guy Penny's been muffin stalkin'?"
    Penny's eyes grew wide as she watched Charlotte smack her brother in the shoulder.
    Completely embarrassed, Penny fussed, "Oh for the love of God! Can we please just get our drinks."
    Shaking his head with a laugh, even though Charlotte was glaring at him like she could kill him, Auggie