The Blogger and the Hunk (18 page)

There was a sound of glass shattering in the kitchen.

Celeste turned her attention to the sound. “Is everything okay, Penny?”

A few moments later, Penelope walked out of the kitchen, her purse over her shoulder and a rag clutched in her hand. Jack noticed the rims of her eyes held a hint of red.

“I’m fine. I just accidentally broke a cup, but I cleaned the mess up,” she said breathlessly. “Uh, the pie is in the oven. The timer is set. So when it goes off be sure to take it out. Enjoy.” She walked toward the front door, keeping a frozen smile on her face.

“You’re not staying?” Celeste asked, crestfallen.

“Uhh, no. I have to meet up with a... friend and I’m late. See you all later.”

Before anyone else could say another word, she left, closing the door behind her. Lord knew how much Jack wanted to run after her, but he sat still, staring a hole through the front door.

* * *

P
enelope didn’t stop until she was inside her car. Then she cried. She let all her tears fall. When had her life become such a soap opera? And the worst part of it all was the indifference in Jack’s demeanor. He hadn’t cared that he’d slept with her, made her think he felt something a little deeper than just the physical, and then tossed her aside as he went out with his potential future fiancée. What made things even worse was the fact that he had just let Celeste talk about their relationship with Penelope within earshot.

The low-life bastard!

She took a look at her bloody hand and the tears threatened to come down again, but she resisted. Her phone vibrated and she looked at the text. The smile on her face couldn’t have come at a better time. She turned the key in the ignition and stepped on the gas.

I
s it difficult to be honest? I mean, why do so many people lie? I’m not talking about little white lies like saying you only have ten dollars in your pocket when you really have twenty. I mean the kind of lies that could alter a person’s life. The kind of lies that could make a person fall in love with you, while you’re still attached to another. I never wanted to play in the relationship game, yet somehow I got myself into this mess.

DIARY OF A WALLFLOWER: Entry 179

“What do you guys think of this one?” Celeste held up the wedding lasso to use during the ceremony.

Penelope was concentrating on a white rosary in a glass display while Jack was busy looking at Penelope. It wasn’t until Bryan elbowed him in the ribs that he turned his attention to Celeste.

“Huh?”

Celeste released an exasperated sigh. “What is wrong with you guys? It’s like we’re making arrangements for a funeral. My wedding is in two weeks, and I have been the most patient bride! What is going on?”

Penelope forced a laugh through her throat, Jack noticed. Her smile was too wide and didn’t reach her eyes.

“Nothing’s wrong, Cel. I just can’t believe you’re getting married is all.” She walked up to Celeste and placed a kiss on her forehead. Then, without saying a word, she walked out of the church’s gift shop.

Jack sprang into action and started to go after her. “I’m just gonna go see if she needs anything.” He walked out of the gift shop and searched the courtyard for Penelope until he spotted her sitting on a bench, facing a beautiful display of the Virgin Mary. He couldn’t help but notice how very exhausted she looked. There was a lingering sadness surrounding her, and he wasn’t sure how to respond.

“Hey, you. You okay?” He sat next to her, facing the statue.

“I’m fine. Just needed a moment,” she replied, staring ahead.

“Hey, just because your sister’s getting married doesn’t mean you’ll grow apart. If anything, the day she and Bryan have a kid, she’s going to need you more than ever,” Jack explained, tentatively placing his hand over hers. He was grateful when she didn’t recoil from his touch.

They sat in silence for a few moments before either of them spoke.

“I’m sorry,” they both said at the same time, then awkwardly chuckled.

“You first,” Penelope offered.

Jack cleared his throat before speaking up. “I’m sorry I was such an ass. I slept with you and left you without trying to resolve anything. It was wrong of me. You deserved better, and I’m obviously not that for you.”

Penelope was shaking her head even before he had a chance to finish. “I’m sorry for purposely trying to make you feel guilty. I knew what we were doing involved no strings. We’re good as friends. I like us that way.” She offered a friendly smile.

Jack felt his smile was a little too forced. “Yeah, I do too.” It burned his throat to say the words. He didn’t know what it was that had him so hung up on Penelope. He had come to care for the short, fiery book lover, who went about her life trying to suppress how she really felt. He turned to look at the Virgin Mary and scowled. “Kind of weird we’re talking about fornication in front of Mary. I feel like we might be punished.”

Penelope laughed. “I think she understands.”

Jack chuckled, enjoying the slight change in her demeanor. Then he grew serious again. “I’m sorry we haven’t had a chance to talk. I came back from my trip two days ago, and we didn’t get a chance to set things right.”

“It’s okay. You’ve been busy with your girlfriend and—”

“Amanda’s not my—”

“There you are!” Celeste exclaimed as she caught up with them, Bryan right behind her.

“You found us,” Jack said as enthusiastically as he could, but to his ears his voice sounded annoyed. He loved Celeste, but sometimes she had the most awful timing.

“So, I just got off the phone with Nick,” she started.

“Who’s Nick?” Jack asked, confused.

“Oh, that’s right! You haven’t met Nick. He’s Penelope’s friend from college. Although, I always suspected them of being a co—”

“Since when do you talk to Nick?” Penelope interrupted, a little alarmed, which made Jack suspicious.

“Since he gave me his number the day I ran into you guys shopping for groceries for his grandma.”

“And why were you talking to him?”

“Will you guys be free this weekend?” Celeste responded with a question of her own.

“Yes?” Penelope looked unsure. Whatever Celeste had planned was not about to be half-assed.

“Jack?” She looked at him. He merely nodded.

“I was wondering if we could take a little break from this wedding madness and head out to Lake Tahoe this weekend.”

“And who’s going on this trip?” Jack asked, a little surprised.

“Obviously us four, Nick, and Amanda. They agreed to go, although I didn’t really give them a choice.” She grinned.

“Oh, you didn’t have to tell us that,” Penelope sarcastically replied. “And if I refused to go?”

“I’d guilt you by saying I kind of already made the reservations,” Celeste responded, smiling sheepishly.

“Geez, you’re just as pushy as Mom.”

“And with very good reason,” she responded in Spanish.

“Good luck with this one, Bryan,” Jack teased.

Bryan merely shrugged, a small smile on his lips.

“Smart bastard,” Jack murmured.

* * *

“W
hy didn’t you just tell her that you couldn’t go?” Penelope asked Nick, reluctantly packing the last few things she was going to take. Autumn weather at the lake tended to be cold, and warm clothes were a necessity.

“I thought it would be rude,” Nick responded, picking up a pair of black lacy underwear from the floor and giving Penelope a knowing look. “You should plan to wear a baby doll nightie when you’re there. Might get Jack’s attention,” he teased.

Penelope snatched the panties from his hand and smacked him with them. “
Mira
, Nicolas. Don’t try to get on my bad side today, or I probably won’t speak to you for the rest of the trip,” Penelope replied, sealing her luggage.

But Nick wasn’t listening to her. He was too busy pacing the room, deep in thought.

“You know, I could help you,” he started.

Penelope’s eyebrow went up. “Help me with what?” she asked, completely confused.

“Get Jack jealous.” He grinned.

Realization dawned on Penelope. “Oh, no. Nick, I’m tired. If there’s one thing I’ve hated about people, it’s the ridiculous games they play when it comes to relationships. Besides, he looks very much in love with his high school sweetheart,” she commented, trying not to sound bitter.

“Fine. I’ll do it by myself. And I won’t need your consent.”

Penelope sighed. “Leave it alone, Nick. The poor bastard doesn’t even like me that way.”

I
f you’re going to be put in temptation’s path, always walk the other way. Run far away, because if you get too close, you’re in danger of falling again. You are worthy of the best. You deserve the best. You deserve someone’s full love, not mere crumbs of affection. Be strong and the best will come to you.

DIARY OF A WALLFLOWER: Entry 181

Celeste took care of renting a van for the trip, and all six of them left early on Friday morning. Her insistence on it being a group trip had made her refuse to hear anyone’s suggestion to take their own cars. Seven hours in a car filled with people seemed like a great idea to her. The trip to the lake house was uneventful. Celeste did most of the talking, Amanda and Nick got into a conversation, Bryan was driving, and Jack and Penelope were left brooding the whole ride there. When they finally got to the house, Penelope couldn’t believe how beautiful it looked. Maybe the weekend wouldn’t be so bad after all.

“There are three bedrooms, so choose your roommate and we meet on the porch for drinks!” Celeste explained.

“Let’s go, babe,” Nick said louder than he needed, and he carelessly threw an arm over Penelope’s shoulder. She silently sent him a death glare, trying to warn him, but he merely smiled a little brighter and pulled her closer.

She noticed Jack looking their way, and at first glance, his look held no emotion. He almost looked bored, except his jaw was clenched a little too tight.

Interesting.

They took their luggage to the room upstairs, the lake clearly visible from the balcony.

“Beautiful, isn’t it? Now aren’t you happy you came?” Nick smiled as he threw himself on top of the king-sized canopied bed.

Just as soon as she’d forgotten her anger, it came back full force. She leaned over and caught Nick unawares, punching him in the arm. “What was that all about?” she asked. “I thought I told you there would be no Operation Jealous Jack?”

“So, you didn’t want to do it, yet you gave it a name?”

Penelope snorted in good humor and began unpacking her baggage, placing her clothes in the empty drawers. She was so focused on the task, she didn’t notice Nick coming up behind her, until he drew her back close to his chest. He softly pressed his lips to her neck just as she heard her sister through the bedroom door. She turned around just in time to see Jack looking through the door from the hallway, his face stoic. He gave her a small nod of acknowledgement and continued down the hallway.

She had no clue what he meant by the gesture. There was no possibility he was remotely jealous. He had his blue-eyed porcelain doll with him. It was only a matter of time before he asked her to marry him.

“Did he see us?” Nick asked, breaking into her thoughts.

“How could he not see us? The door is wide open and there’s a clear view of the room,” she replied, a little irritated.

“You’re not seriously annoyed at me are you? At the rate this is going, he could be chasing after you in no time!”

“I don’t play these games, Nick. He’s got someone who loves him and he seems to love back. Relationships shouldn’t be based on deceptions and games.”

“But sometimes relationships need a bit of a boost. And it’s so much fun when I’m the helper.”

Penelope merely sighed and resumed unpacking. It was going to be a long weekend.

* * *

“N
ick, it’s on you! Truth or dare?”

“Truth,” he shrugged.

Celeste snorted. “
Boring
. Just remember that next time you have to choose dare.”

Nick laughed. “I’m just afraid what dare
you’ll
give me!”

Celeste contemplated her question, and then spoke up. “Have you and Penny had sex yet?”

“Celeste!” Penelope objected as Jack choked on his wine.

Nick only smiled. “Now, Celeste, you know I don’t kiss and tell.” He winked.

Penelope shook her head in defeat. The guy was insufferable. She’d forgotten how mule-headed he could be. Yet, she couldn’t help but notice the sideways glances Amanda was throwing his way. She seemed very quiet, not at all the kind of woman Penelope envisioned Jack being with. She felt a little disappointed. Amanda was sweet as she was beautiful, someone very difficult not to like.

“Since I’m guessing that’s the most we’ll get out of you... honey, it’s your turn.” Celeste turned to her fiancé. Bryan looked a bit bored sitting next to his future bride. It was obvious all he really wanted was to be alone with her.

“Do I have to?” he whined, which made Penelope smile.

“Yes, or no fun tonight.” Celeste leaned in, no doubt intending the words to be for Bryan’s ears alone, yet Penelope still heard them. Bryan visibly pouted, which made the group laugh.

“What’s wrong, Bryan? Did Celeste threaten the sex in exchange for your participation of the game?” Jack teased.

Bryan frowned, but it passed in the blink of an eye, and Penelope noticed a dangerous glint in his eyes. “Okay, my turn.” He grabbed the bottle and spun it. As fate would have it, it landed pointing straight at Penelope.

“Penny already chose truth last time. She has to do a dare now!” Celeste replied excitedly.

“Then I refuse to play,” Penelope stated, ready to jump up and leave the living room. She wasn’t too happy about the look in Bryan’s eyes. Better she left before she played with fire.

“Scared of a children’s game, Penelope?” Jack offered, a satisfied smirk on his face.

She furrowed her brow, annoyed at his cockiness. There was nothing she wanted more than to smack the smile off his face. Her hand itched, but she stood her ground, and slowly lowered herself onto the carpet again. “Fine. I accept the dare.”