Penn cleared his throat. This was the last thing he wanted, but he suspected that there would be no convincing Brooke that they should continue their relationship. It was time to retreat and regroup.

Not that he had any idea what regrouping would look like.

He wasn’t a man who needed much. He wasn’t a man with many wants, but when he wanted something, he usually got it. Hard work and perseverance were keys to his success.

He was out of his depth as to what that ...