1. PENELOPE"I have plans for tomorrow night," I announce to Ashby as he settles into my living room. He had come over for the night, his usual calm demeanour slightly troubled by whatever had transpired with his brother earlier."With me?" he inquires, his expression curious.I clear my throat, hesitant to divulge the truth. "No, it's with a friend from work," I reply, my voice tinged with unease.Ashby raises an eyebrow, his gaze probing. "What's your friend's name?""Jeanette," I respond, feeling a pang of guilt for the lie slipping easily from my lips.I silently scold myself for falling into this pattern of deception. It's becoming too easy, too comfortable."Sounds like a girls' night out," Ashby remarks cheerfully, a hint of amusement in his voice. "Where are you planning to go?""Acre's," I admit, noting the surprise in his expression at the mention of the upscale restaurant."Yeah, she's been wanting to go, and she asked me to join her," I explain, feeling the weight of
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