When Matt took a step away from her, Penny felt a sharp pang of regret. Even if what she had said was true, she should have been kinder, she should have composed herself better and spoken to Matt like a lady, not a common, sputtering girl. She was so ashamed of her behavior, and the fact that her words had obviously upset her friend, that she could barely look him in the eye.
"I... I'm sorry," Penny said sincerely, the words feeling heavy all the same. "You can still finish the books." Her head was spinning and her voice was tight and strained, feeling that by stepping back, Matt had put more than a physical distance between them. It felt so much further than the half step he took. "I've been carrying more for you in my saddle bag. If you want them." She glanced up, unsure of how he would take the offer, of whether or not he would accept.