By the time Penelope and Callie circled back to the diner, the windows were fogged with heat—literal and emotional. Inside, Marc lounged in a booth like he hadn't just stirred every pot in town, while Scott and Julian stood on opposite ends of the room, glaring like two predators forced into a vegan café.
"You'd think they were fighting over a treasure map," Callie muttered.
Penelope bit her lip. She wasn't a treasure. She was just... tired. Tired of the drama, the tension, the unspoken questions. But most of all, tired of pretending she didn't care.
She pushed the door open. Instantly, three heads turned toward her like she was gravity itself.
"Can we not?" she said, eyes scanning all of them. "Just for once?"
Marc stood first, strolling over with that signature smirk. "You missed the fireworks."
"Did I?" she replied. "Because all I see are three emotionally constipated boys and a whole lot of broken communication."
Julian winced. "Ouch."
Scott looked like he wanted to punch a wall, or possibly Marc.
Marc shrugged. "She's not wrong."
Penelope crossed her arms. "Why are you even here, Marc?"
He leaned closer, his voice suddenly softer. "Because I wanted to see if the stories were true. If the girl who broke Scott's rules and Julian's pride was real."
Her stomach twisted. That voice—so smooth it could cut glass—was dangerous.
"News flash," Scott said from behind her. "She's real. And she doesn't need saving."
"Neither do I," Julian added, stepping closer.
Penelope closed her eyes. "I'm not a prize in your little war."
Callie muttered, "Should we bring out snacks or call 911?"
But Penelope had had enough. "If anyone wants to be in my life, they better start acting like it's a privilege. Not a competition."
The diner went silent.
Scott finally spoke. "I never meant to compete. I just didn't know how to lose you."
Julian looked down. "And I didn't know I'd fall."
Marc just smiled like he'd won something anyway.
Penelope turned to leave.
"Where are you going now?" Julian asked.
"To find Milo," she said. "The only guy in this town who doesn't treat me like a trophy or a grenade."