Lucky Penny Read Online Free PDF Page B

still only identify Cassiopeia. I was halfway to making out Ursa Minor when Penny cleared her throat quietly.
    “Thank you.”
    It was only two simple words, but they changed everything.

B eing a camp counselor was hard work. The days were never ending, my time was no longer my own, and I hadn’t felt clean in two weeks, but it was hands down the most rewarding thing I had ever done.
    “First group is done. Congratulations, people.” Troy clapped his hands together and grinned at the campfire.
    I turned my head and smiled at Marissa. Despite no longer bunking together on a daily basis, we had become close friends. I still hadn’t opened up to her much, but I was starting to trust her. She had joined me with my group of girls for breakfast a handful of times and helped me deal with a couple of teen girl dramas. We made a great team, and for the first time since the accident, I finally felt like I had purpose.
    The only thing holding me back was my anxiety at the close physical proximity to the girls and the instructors. I was generally okay when I expected it, like a high-five from one of the girls or when I had to help them climb or hold something, but I still couldn’t handle the unsuspecting moments.
    At the end of the first week, Chelsea, one of the youngest girls in my group, had finally managed to complete the Camp Chance obstacle course. She was so proud of herself that she hugged me without thinking. Instead of sharing in her excitement and personal achievement, panic at her slender arms wrapped around my waist suffocated me. Somehow, through my alarm, I’d managed to pat her on the back. She didn’t notice the way I stepped back ever so slightly to put space between us without actually shrugging her off.
    “Penny, earth to Penny, are you with us?” Troy was staring right at me, and I blinked rapidly before murmuring something unintelligible while my cheeks exploded with embarrassment and I ducked my head.
    “Good job with the girls last week.” He winked and turned his attention to someone else.
    I could still feel eyes on me, but I knew it wasn’t Troy as he was busy singing praises of John, one of the other counselors who’d had a particularly difficult group. Even though I knew who I would find looking in my direction, I couldn’t resist the urge to lift my head.
    Blake’s head was resting on his fists, which were propped on his knees as he leaned into the fire. He sat opposite Marissa and me again, just as he did every time we congregated at the campfire.
    “He’s watching you again,” Marissa whispered under her breath.
    It had become our ritual. We would sit around the fire, I’d look up to find Blake watching me, and Marissa would point out the obvious.
    Since the night by the lake, I had tried my hardest to avoid him. Whenever our paths crossed, I smiled and whispered a polite hello, but I couldn’t give him more than that yet. It was too soon. Too raw. Besides, I didn’t know if he even wanted more after the way I’d fled from him when he had laid his feelings out on the line.
    Lucky Penny.
    That nickname had once made me feel like I could survive anything. It had helped me survive so much. But now it was a distant memory—the kind that felt more like a dream than reality.
    Marissa nudged me in the side, snapping me from my memories, and when my eyes refocused, Blake was no longer looking in my direction.
    My heart sank.
    “The next buses arrive at five in the afternoon tomorrow, so the next twenty-two hours are yours to do as you please.”
    “Except each other,” one of the guys called out causing the whole camp to burst into fits of laughter. I smiled, but the joke was lost on me.
    “Okay, smart aleck, you know where to find us if you need us. Enjoy your downtime. The lake is warm this time of year if you catch my drift.” Troy waved his hand in the air behind him as he and Tina headed back toward the central cabin. Laughter followed them.
    A couple of the guys stood up and