Colin got his and Marina's luggage from the carousel. He hadn't spoken with Pen since that message she sent him. Ever since then, him and Marina have argued at every given moment they were alone. She told him that they had to 'keep up appearances' with his family, so he was to act like her doting fiancée the whole trip. He hadn't any energy to argue with her. Their relationship was basically sex, and nothing else. His conversations with Penelope were missing, he had realised probably two weeks after Penelope left that she was the only one who listened to him or made him feel important. That made him feel worse, it made him see how selfish, how abusive he had been towards someone he called a dear friend. He had fully taken advantage of everything, of her, for such a long time, he couldn't even remember when it started.
All he knew was, that this trip... he had to make it right. That's the only reason he wanted to go; he would have preferred to go alone but Marina was not about to pass up the chance to head to LA. The only struggle was getting Benedict to agree to let him join them. Benedict was adamant against the idea, until Penelope had said it was ok. This gave Colin a little hope, maybe she was ready to put the past behind them. Maybe, just maybe they could be Colin and Penelope again. He knew she had a boyfriend of sorts; Marina had stalked him on Instagram, and she made several comments about him and Penelope. 'Can't believe she bagged him.' That was one comment that made Colin fly off the handle, they didn't speak for three days straight after that. Until he came home drunk, and they fucked sloppily on the couch.
The group arrived 11am LA time on the Monday, and they were staying for 7 nights. They were so excited to get into the villa and see Penelope, the excitement was buzzing all the way there. Eloise couldn't help but notice how quiet Colin was, she had attempted to talk to him a few times, but he just placed his beats over his ears and zoned them all out. Benedict noticed too, and they both shot each other that look... 'he's an idiot.'
She hadn't the energy for him. Eloise was so excited to see Penelope. She had missed her so much, so couldn't help but feel a little jealous of Sophie, so her anxiety was through the roof. Penelope told them all she'd give them a few hours to get sorted and sleep and then she'd be round after dinner, then she could take them to a few local hotspots.
Penelope: I'm driving, I'll be around 30 minutes.
Eloise: OMG OMG OMG OMG OMG
Eloise ran down the stairs screaming. Daphne genuinely thought someone was dying.
"Miss Featherington is en-route."
Everyone was gathered in the large open planned kitchen/dining area. Penelope gave strict instructions for smart/casual. She had planned a night of cocktails, karaoke and then a visit to the club she had previously attended with Sophie and co. She knew the bouncers pretty well by now, and they had her on the 'list'.
Penelope sat in the car outside the villa and fixed her deep red lipstick. Her outfit, obviously chosen by Sophie was black leather shorts, black heeled boots, a white tight cami top (that left nothing to imagination) and an oversized leather jacket. She even had black rectangular sunglasses to boot. She had been 'LA-ified'. Sophie had urged her to free the nipple, but Penelope wasn't that confident, plus the bra she was wearing made her breasts look perky, and she liked it. She felt confident, sexy and empowered.
She walked into the house, and her heels clicked against the marble floor. She practically ran to the kitchen as she heard the gaggle of Bridgerton voices. She swung open the French doors, and lifted her sunglasses from her face as they all stood mouths agape.
"Well... is no one going to say hello or shall I leave and come back again?"
Penelope said as she started to turn around sarcastically.
Eloise sobbed and ran towards her.
"El please don't cry."
Penelope said as her friend sank into her arms. Daphne and Francesca weren't far behind her. The four of them stood wrapped around each other. The boys just stood there. Benedict knew how much the girls missed her, and he didn't realise how much he had missed her too. He even felt himself get emotional. As the girls cuddled, he noticed to his right a disgruntled Marina, obviously jealous of Penelope and her new appearance, and Colin... who's mouth was still on the floor.
As the girls dispersed, Simon flung his arms around Penelope and lifted her from the floor.
Benedict done the same.
Marina gave a false smile, that made Daphne cringe. She approached her cousin with a half-arsed hug, and 'air' kisses. God forbid Marina rubbed off any make up and showed the gargoyle, thought Elosie.
Then it was Colin, they both stood there awkwardly as everyone made their way back to the kitchen island. Benedict suggested shots, and margaritas to distract everyone from the reunion.
Penelope crossed her legs, and fixed her jacket just waiting for him to speak.
"Pen, you look incredible. LA suits you."
He held his arms out, and she fell into his embrace.
Her hands reached around his waist and rested on his back with her nails slightly jagging him.
His hands went around her back, and he pulled her in closer.
"I've really fucking missed you."
He said breathless into her hair.
"Me too."
Is all she could say in his arms.
UH-OH. FUCK. The flutters are back. All that man had to do was touch her, and the feelings came rushing back all at once. She had just hoped that he hadn't noticed the blush on her cheeks.
She immediately withdrew, and placed her hands on his chest to regain her breath.
"Ben, think you can help me with the bags. I'm in Josh's Porsche and I have no idea how to pop the boot."
Simon, Benedict, Phillip and Colin immediately rushed to the door.
There in the driveway sat Josh's new Porsche Taycan. It was the sport model, whatever that meant but she had no idea what any of the gadgets meant. She saw each boy lose their head. Simon was stuttering, Benedict was drooling and well Colin looked annoyed.
"Josh gave it to me for the week. I'm sure I can take you all for a spin."
Simon and Bendict immediately turned around and nodded like puppy dogs.
She chucked them the keys and laughed.
"Get my bags then, once you're all done taking pictures in it."
She stood at the doorway and watched them like kids on Christmas. Daphne came up behind her and wrapped an arm around her waist, as Eloise joined them and passed out the Margaritas.
"Marina's away fixing her face."
Daphne said quietly.
Francesca let out a giggle from behind them,
"Nothing's changing that face."
Eloise turned and tried to remain scowling at her younger sister, but she couldn't help but feel proud.
Francesca hadn't turned 21 yet, so Penelope had to make sure she would be able to get into places without hassle, so she meticulously planned places where she knew it was guaranteed she could get by the door. LA was quite relaxed if you knew people, but she knew that they wouldn't serve her alcohol even if they allowed her in. It made is easier that Francesca didn't drink and looked about 25 so there shouldn't be any issues.
"So, that's the boyfriend's car then? God he must be rich!"
Marina appeared behind them with dollar signs in both eyeballs.
The four girls just stood and rolled their eyes.
"Yes Marina, its Josh's car."
Penelope snapped.
"Will he be joining us tonight?"
The boys passed by the girls with Penelope's bags and Daphne directed them to Penelope's room.
She could tell Colin's ears had perked up.
"Yes, he'll be along later, he can't stay though. He's got to do some shoots in the morning near the desert."
Daphne chuckled as she saw Marina's face drop.
As they made their way to the first bar, everyone seemed to enjoy the nightlife. They started at a cocktail bar where Penelope knew some of the bar staff, then they ventured on a few other places before settling in a karaoke dive bar.
"God Lord Penelope, do you know everyone in LA?"
Benedict asked while laughing, as she stood up for the third time to cuddle a passing party goer.
"It's how you network, plus... a lot of people know Sophie, and well Josh obviously."
She said while sipping her Jack and coke.
"Jack and coke? What happened to Gin?"
Colin piped up from the corner of the booth.
"People change I guess, so does taste."
Simon nearly gagged on his sip of beer at Penelope's quick wit.
Colin nodded and had a faint smile cross his lips.
Penelope smiled back.
"It's a shame Phillip couldn't make it tonight El, is he alright?"
Eloise nodded, she was definitely drunk and thoroughly enjoying herself.
"He just needs to sleep it off, Planes have that affect on him sometimes. He'll be right as reign tomorrow."
Penelope got up and took off her jacket at some point. I mean the look was great, but the heat in the dive bar was becoming unbearable. She shrugged it off and Eloise nearly fell off her seat.
"Penelope... Good Lord, where the fuck have you been hiding all that?"
Penelope went bright red.
"El, inside thoughts please."
Her blush covered her chest.
"She's right Miss Featherington, you are a smoke show."
Benedict said while standing up and twirling her around on the spot.
The shorts were tight at the waist, and the white satin cami, clung to her every curve like latex.
"Theres my girl."
Josh approached and she practically jumped into his arms, she wrapped both legs around him and he lifted her from the floor. He placed both hands on her ass and kissed her.
Penelope had obviously a few more drinks than she had thought.
"Ok well, I'm going to leave and come back again... can I get the same reaction?"
He asked as he placed her back on the floor.
She kissed him again and led her towards the table.
Everyone stood up to greet him, even Colin.
Marina was over friendly, but Penelope didn't care. Josh was used to constant attention, and she knew exactly where his head was at.
"Ok well next rounds on me. I'll grab a few bottles for the table for good measure too."
Josh stood up, and Marina quickly followed.
"I'll help."
Marina screamed first before anyone could. Penelope watched Marina place her hands on Josh's forearm, bicep, and back. While throwing her head back in laughter. Josh couldn't look more uncomfortable and threw Penelope a wink across the floor. She dropped her head and smiled.
"Well it seems Josh has an admirer."
Benedict said quietly, Colin just threw him daggers across the table in forms of eye contact.
"Colin you are awfully quiet tonight."
Benedict said while draping his arm around his younger brothers' shoulders.
Colin quickly shrugged them off.
"I need a smoke."
Penelope watched him leave. She had noticed he wasn't the same Colin. She did everything in her power not to follow him, but when she saw Benedict about too, she placed her arm on his hand.
"I'll go."
She said quietly.
"Tell Josh I'll be back in five minutes."
She made her way to the back towards the smoker's hut outside the back of the bar.
She stood at the doorway and watched Colin slump into the seat outside while rubbing his hands across his forehead. She made her way over towards him and stood against the balcony railing directly across from him.
"Colin, are you okay?"
He raised his gaze from her toes all the way up to her eyes.
"Now that's a loaded question."
She smiled. It seemed to settle him for a moment, until he raised from his seat.
"You left Pen. You left without giving me a chance to say goodbye. Then you text me all that stuff, I've been a mess ever since."
She watched him retreat into himself.
"Colin, I said those things to release you of torment, I didn't want to punish you. I just needed you to realise why I left, I needed to release you from my heart once and for all."
He bit his lip.
"Yeah, without asking me if that's even what I wanted."
She looked at him, he looked at her.
Eloise appeared next to Penelope.
"Everything okay here?"
Penelope snapped out of her gaze, crossed her arms and walked back into the bar. Unable to form a response to his words.
She went in and sat down next to Josh, who quickly grabbed her onto his lap. Penelope wasn't a fan of PDA before Josh. But he constantly wanted to be touching her, showing her off. She wasn't used to that, she was always hidden, put away for comfort. She had never been a priority, and she really enjoyed it.
"God you guys are far too cute."
Daphne said while glaring at Simon obviously digging at him to pay her attention.
Josh nuzzled into Penelope's neck whispering.
Colin grunted as he walked by.
"Everything okay baby?"
Marina asked him while running her hands down his neck.
Daphne leaned over to Eloise and Benedict,
"Someone's Jealous."
Eloise smiled at her sister's observation.
"Big time."
Eloise quickly replied then Francesa immediately appeared to the left of Eloises shoulder. Which nearly made her spill her drink.
"Penelope's changed so much; this must be killing him."
Colin heard his younger sister and moved closer to the gossiping siblings.
"Enough. I need to get through this week please. Instead of the usual Colin hate fest, can we just get along?"
They all nodded in agreement.
Daphne made a face at the other side of the table and Colin sent her a glare.
He looked to Penelope to see if she noticed, but she was too busy listening to Josh whisper into her ear. He looked at her sat on his lap, with his hands on her thighs riding up every second. It made him feel physically sick. So all he could do was drink. That seemed like the viable option, otherwise he'd end up in jail for murder, or attempted at least. He hadn't noticed it before, but Josh was like himself, both same height, eye colour, build... (or so he liked to think). He had never seen Pen like this with anyone back home, had he selfishly ruined her all those years? Had he prevented her, unknowingly, or even knowingly. He couldn't keep his eyes off her. Every time she smiled; the room seemed brighter. Every time she ran her hands through her hair, his body shook uncontrollably. He watched her touch his face, and all he could do was close his eyes and try imagining her touch on him instead.
Her face was perfect, her body was fucking dynamite, and her personality was unlike anyone he had ever met. She was a siren, a goddess, everything he wanted.
FUCK. He thought.
I've got feelings for Penelope.
Benedict scooted closer to his brother, once again draping an arm around him.
"Woke up now brother?"
He turned to Ben, nodded, and downed his whiskey.