Be Mine Read Online Free PDF Page A

she liked Penn. He was sweet, strong and handsome. He just wasn’t her late husband. But no one ever would be.
    “Sure,” Ellen agreed. “Lead the way.”
    Penn took the bag from her shoulder and placed it over his. “I know you like to carry your own stuff, but just for tonight, let me.”
    She nodded and for the first time since becoming a widow, Ellen Temple allowed someone else to carry her heavy load.
    “How’s the design business these days?” Penn asked, keeping up the conversation.
    “It’s been busy. I’ve been working with Mike on the side, and that’s been taking up some of my time. A little Valentine’s Day project.”
    “Something for a client?”
    “Not really.”
    “Should I even ask?”
    Ellen shook her head and Penn didn’t pry. But since she’d brought up the subject of Valentine’s Day, he wasn’t going to let the opportunity to slip away.
    “Valentine’s Day.”
    “Yes,” she replied as they stepped into the Jamba Juice. “That useless holiday made up by greeting card companies, florists and candy makers.”
    “Wow, a cynic,” Penn laughed.
    “No. Just a realist.”
    “What? Don’t you believe in love?”
    “I believe in love, but I’m not looking for love.”
    “Just because you’re not looking doesn’t mean it won’t find you.”
    Penn watched her shoulders shrug and sensed her uneasiness, but didn’t want to let the subject go. “You need to open up your fourth chakra,” he smiled, trying to make a joke as he ordered two protein berry workout smoothies from the menu.
    “Yeah, so I’ve been told. Didn’t you want to ask me what kind of smoothie I wanted?”
    “I’m a mind reader. Was I right?”
    “Yes.”
    Penn smiled, thinking of the Facebook post from six months ago where Ellen sang the praises of the exact smoothie he’d ordered. Tonight his stalking was paying off.
    “C’mon. Let’s get your smoothie and then you can tell me all about the marketing cynicism surrounding Valentine’s Day. And I’ll tell you why it’s a wonderful day.”
    “God, you’re cheerful. It’s almost annoying how positive you are about everything.”
    “Why suffer more than I have to? Sure, life sucks sometimes, but it’s never too late to live happily ever after.”
    “What did you say?”
    “I’m saying, I’m thankful for my life and the people in it. Like right now, I’m thankful for you.”
    “Me?”
    “What man wouldn’t be thankful for the company of a beautiful and intelligent woman?”
    Ellen had never been the type of girl who fell for lines. Over the years, she’d finely honed her bullshit meter. The world was full of men with witty and flattering pick up’s, and there were plenty of men who’d fallen out of Ellen’s favor trying to use them – even if they were just friends. She trusted her instincts, and if she smelled bullshit, she was done.
    She led the way to a tiny corner table and thought about everything Penn had just said. She felt he was sincere, but more than that, Ellen was disconcerted how easily he saw through her.
    As they sat down, a homeless man approached them with a dirty, outstretched hand. “Can you spare some change so I can get something to eat?”
    Penn immediately rose to his feet and put a hand on the older man’s shoulder. “C’mon, let’s get you a sandwich,” he replied without missing a beat. “Ellen, I’ll be right back. Save my spot.”
    Ellen studied Penn’s face closely, looking for flaws–looking for anything that might show her that he wasn’t real. But as he glanced over his shoulder while waiting in line and chatting up the hungry man, he met her gaze and gave her a huge smile. She knew in that moment he was authentic. A real man with a big heart.
    He returned to the table with a grin and she smiled back at him with a new feeling she couldn’t place.
    “That was very kind of you.”
    “Everyone needs a leg up from time to time. Even if they don’t ask for it.”
    “You just made his night,” she