Penny's POV
Mom's voice cuts through the laughter.
"Penny. Andrew. Can I talk to you both? Alone."
The room goes quiet as if someone pressed mute.
Andrew's hand tighten on mine, and my pulse is erratic.
Jess leans back in her chair, her eyebrows up. "Well, that sounds… official."
Savannah whistles low, fanning her face. "Yikes. You both are in trouble."
"Not helping," I hiss at them, my face burning.
Dad clears his throat, already rising from his seat. "Come on. Let's step into the den."
Andrew squeezes my fingers again before letting go. We follow my parents out of the kitchen leaving the noise of the others behind us. The den feels too quiet and too neat. The kind of room no one uses unless something Serious with a capital S is happening.
Mom shuts the door behind her softly, then turns to face us. Her expression is calm, but sharp and serious. Dad crosses his arms and stands like a steady wall beside her.
