Read Online Matchbox Girls by Chrysoula Tzavelas - Free Book Online

were in Rome.” Penny collapsed on the couch into a graceful pile of limbs. “He knows some fascinating people. He said they all really liked me, too.”
    Marley always thought that Penny worried a lot more about people liking her than was necessary. But Penny was rarely convinced anyone believed she had intrinsic worth. In high school, her money and busy parents had made her the envy of other students, but Marley had often seen how little there was to envy. “What did you two do in Rome?”
    “Oh, we went to clubs. Dancing. A couple of parties.” Penny smiled. “I wasn’t sure if he was actually interested in me or just being nice while killing time. He flirted with me, but... well, he kept introducing me to other people and then leaving me with them for a while.” She considered. “He’s very busy, though. He’s on the board of this private charitable organization. I think they build bridges or something.” She rubbed her left wrist and frowned. “I had the strangest dream last night.”
    “So did I,” said Marley. “A fairy doll wanted me to come save his flower kingdom. What was yours about?”
    “Light,” Penny said simply. Then she shook her head. “I don’t remember. I don’t even know why I thought of it. Anyhow, I can’t wait for you to meet Jeremy. I'm dying to know what you think of him.”
    Marley regarded Penny steadily for a moment. She hoped, oh so desperately, that it was an innocent coincidence. The sick twisting in her stomach believed otherwise. But when was that ever right? She couldn't rely on an anxiety disorder to make decisions for her.
    Finally, she sighed. She couldn’t make it better, but she could make it a lot worse by remaining silent.
    “It’s funny, because I met a Jeremy White yesterday. A lawyer. He was interested in the disposition of the kids. A common name, I guess.”
    Penny’s eyes widened. “Really?” Then she looked away. “My Jeremy didn’t recognize your name when I mentioned you.” She paused. “What did you think of the one you met yesterday?”
    “He was...” Marley searched for the right word.
    “He was bad,” said Lissa, without looking up from the paper she was coloring on. Marley blinked. When they were quiet, it was so easy to forget the children were there and probably listening. Lissa went on, “So many bad guys.”
    “Well, my Jeremy is good. He runs a charity!” Penny said firmly, and then seemed to realize she was talking to a small child. “Lots of people have the same names, after all. There are probably dozens of Jeremy Whites in L.A.” Lissa didn’t respond, and Penny looked up to meet Marley’s eyes. “So how are you doing? How’s work?”
    Marley blew out her breath. “Intermittent. Been a bit distracted the last couple of days, but I have to get something out soon. How about you? Did you get any more writing inspiration in Rome?”
    Penny blushed. “A little, then I got stuck again. But I was talking to Jeremy last night and he suggested…” She fell silent abruptly. Then she said, “I had some interesting design ideas, too. Of course, it’s Italy—that’s why I went there.”
    Gently, Marley asked, “You told him about your writing?” It wasn’t a subject Penny talked about to most people. Throughout high school, Penny had written, Branwyn had illustrated, and Marley had been their sole audience.
    Penny shrugged. “I like him, Marley. I want this to work. I... feel like I’m part of something when I’m with him. Part of something, but... special, too.” Penny’s expression turned derisive, one corner of her mouth twisting. “A special snowflake. It’s dumb, I know. But things fall apart enough on their own. So, don’t...” She shook her head and fell silent.
    For a long moment, the ghosts of old conversations thronged the air. Marley listened to them.
    She looked at her own anxieties and demanded of them: What do you want me to do? I can’t make her do anything. All I can do is be here afterwards.