Chapter 5 Burnt Out and Bumping Into Trouble

PENELOPE'S POV

Riley had had enough.

For two days straight, I stayed curled up in her apartment, staring at the ceiling, crying on and off. I couldn't even explain to her why I felt so broken. I just... was. My world had crumbled, and Alistair had ripped my heart out without even giving me a chance to process it. I had no words, no explanation-just a hollow space where everything used to be. I was sinking.

Riley wasn't having it.

By the third day, she stormed into my room, wearing that look that meant she was done watching me fall apart.

"Pen, you've cried enough, get your ass out of bed"

she said, hands on her hips.

"You're coming with me."

She yanked the covers off me before I could even groan in protest.

I didn't argue. I didn't have the energy to. She dragged me into the shower, threw some clothes at me, and pushed me into her car.

"We're treating ourselves today,"

she announced, not giving me a chance to complain.

"We're going to that café you love so much. You know, the one with the best chocolate croissants in town. And no, you don't get a choice. I'm sick of your tears."

I let her take the lead. I was too drained to fight her on it. She drove with purpose, even though we had nowhere specific to be. That was just Riley, they hyper active control freak who always made things seem manageable. And right now, I needed that.

When we got to the café, she sat me down across from her, ordering me a cappuccino I didn't want but knew I'd drink it anyway.

"So, what exactly happened?"

she asked, leaning forward. Her voice wasn't harsh, just straightforward. She'd had enough of my vague, half-formed sob stories.

"What's actually going on Penny?"

Her concern echoed at me.

I picked at the corner of my napkin, my fingers fidgeting. I wasn't sure where to start.

"Riley, it's... it's not just him,"

I mumbled, avoiding her eyes.

"Everything's falling apart and I don't know what to do. I lost my part-time job a few days ago."

"What?"

Riley's voice rose, disbelief flashing in her eyes.

"Why didn't you say anything about it earlier?"

"It's not that simple, Riley. A lot's been happening, and I was trying to fix it on my own."

I sighed, taking a shaky sip of my cappuccino, forcing down the lump in my throat.

"I've been job hunting for weeks, applying everywhere, but no one's hiring. Every rejection just feels like another nail in the coffin."

Riley rubbed her temples, exhaling sharply.

"That's so unfair, Pen. You're one of the hardest workers I know. You don't deserve this."

I shrugged, the weight of it all pressing down on me.

"I guess I just wasn't enough. And now I'm broke, unemployed, and unlovable. Maybe I should just go crawl into a ditch and die quietly."

Riley inhaled deeply, clearly holding herself back from snapping at me. Instead, she reached across the table, squeezing my hands.

"You're not alone, okay? You have me. We'll figure this out together. But you have to stop beating yourself up. Life is throwing punches, but that doesn't mean it's over."

My chest tightened.

"But it feels like it is... I feel like I'm failing. Like nothing I do is enough. Or I'm I just not good enough?"

Riley's grip on my hands tightened. "No. Don't say that. You're not a failure. Yeah, you got knocked down, but you're still standing. That counts for something."

I wanted to believe her. I really did. But doubt gnawed at me.

"But what if I can't fix this?"

I whispered.

"What if I can't pull myself out of this mess?"

"You will,"

she said without hesitation.

"It might take time, but you'll get through it. And until then, I've got your back. We'll figure out the job situation together, okay? I'm not letting you drown in this."

I nodded slowly. Just hearing her say it made me feel the tiniest bit lighter.

"But... I still don't get it. First, I get fired, then all my job applications fall through, and now Alistair dumps me. Maybe I'm the problem. Maybe I'm just doing everything wrong."

Riley groaned, throwing me a look.

"Pen, listen to me. Alistair was an asshole for dumping you over text and running off like some pussy hiding under his mommy's skirt. He never deserved you to begin with, not even for a second."

She squeezed my hands tighter, offering a small smile.

"And the job thing? That's not on you either. Sometimes life just sucks. But that doesn't mean it's over. This is just one chapter in your story. You're stronger than you think."

I wanted to argue, to tell her I didn't know how to move forward, but maybe... maybe I wasn't as lost as I felt.

"Thanks, Riley,"

I whispered, my voice barely audible.

"Don't mention it."

Her usual mischievous grin returned.

"Now, let's finish these croissants and figure out what's next for you."

By the time we were done eating, I actually felt lighter, like I wasn't completely drowning anymore. Riley had somehow pulled me back from the edge, and for the first time in days, I thought... maybe I could climb my way out of this.

We stood to leave, but the packed café made it difficult. People pushed and shoved, all trying to get out at once.

Before I could react, someone rushed past, bumping into me. Hot liquid splashed across my chest.

"Shit!"

A man cursed, jerking back to avoid

the coffee getting on him.

I stood there, stunned, feeling the warmth seep through my shirt. It wasn't burning, but it was hot enough to jolt me back to reality. I stumbled, nearly falling.

"Hot! Hot!!"

I flailed, struggling to steady myself. My feets lost its coordinates and I could feel myself losing balance.

Before I could hit the ground, strong hands grabbed me from behind, holding me up.

Riley was already in attack mode, hands on her hips as she turned on the guy who bumped into me.

"Watch where you're going, jackass! You're not the only one in a rush!"

"I'm so sorry!"

the guy stammered, looking genuinely guilty.

"I swear, I didn't see you!"

Riley kept going, barking insults at him while he apologized repeatedly. I on the other hand wasn't paying attention anymore. The coffee was still clinging to my skin, but it wasn't what had my focus.

The hands gripping me were firm, steady. A weird, tingling sensation ran down my spine as I turned to see who had caught me.

It was the man standing beside me who had also been hit by the coffee sprinkler.

He stood so tall that I had to crack my neck upwards to get a glimpse of his face. Easily over six feet four, with broad shoulders and a build that made it clear he took care of himself. His black hair had hints of silver at the temples and deep blue-gray eyes, locked onto mine, making the cunt in-between my leg throb with excitement.

What the hell?

His outfit, casual yet clearly expensive, was now ruined, stained brown like a tie and dye art project. But he didn't seem to care.

We just stood there, staring at each other with my jaw dropped to the floor.

Because this man... looked exactly like my ex.