Chapter Thirty Seven

He stopped talking and Penny saw that the hand holding his phone was trembling.

"I would say I was sorry if I thought you needed any sympathy" she said. "But frankly speaking, Joey, you are well out of it. I'm not worth your love"

"Don't say things like that, Penny. You are everything I ever imagined a girl could be. Sweet, intelligent, beautiful and much too modest. Just to know that you see me as a friend is more than enough now.... Since it can't be different" 

"Oh Joey, of course I look on you as my friend. And you and Audrey are the best ones I have and I terribly, terribly fond of you both. But don't love me. Please don't. I couldn't bear to feel responsible for causing you any unhappiness." 

Joey took her hand and held it in his own for a moment. 

"You could never do that Penny, except by being unhappy. It would make me sad to see you miserable. I told Audre