Waiting for Love

by Lacey Black

  “Me too,” I reply between swigs.

  Shane walks up with a driver and takes a few practice swings. “So, let’s talk ladies, Trevor. How many single ones are we talking here? Ten? Twenty?”

  My brother snorts. “Are you kidding? Most of Teag’s friends are married, man. There’s only one single bridesmaid.”

  An image of Penelope runs through my mind, with her long, auburn hair pulled high on her head and her cheeks flushed from the chilly air. It’s a picture from earlier this spring when it was still too cool to go out without a jacket. She was standing out on her back patio, talking to Mrs. Gibson, the older woman on the other side of her property line. Neither lady knew I was there, watching as they chatted and laughed like two old friends. Penelope was so relaxed, so carefree, so beautiful.

  I’ve never forgotten the way she looked that day.

  Breathtaking.

  “Only one? That’s all I need,” Shane declares, clapping his hands together loudly, a Cheshire grin spreading across his lips.

  “Sorry, my friend. She’s paired up with Theo.”

  “Seriously?”

  “Seriously,” my brother confirms. “How was I supposed to know you and Steph would be on another break?”

  Shane glares at my brother, probably at the mention of his on-again, off-again girlfriend. “I’m done with her this time,” he announces, finishing off his beer and reaching for another one.

  Trevor snorts a laugh. “How many times have you said that?”

  Shane gapes with annoyance. “I mean it this time. We’re done. That’s why I need a shot at the hot, single bridesmaid.”

  A bubble of something that feels a hell of a lot like jealousy settles in my chest. It’s not the first time I’ve felt it where Penelope is concerned, but it is the first time I’ve wanted to punch someone I consider a friend over it. “Are you two girls going to hit or are we going to chitchat the whole night?” I ask, unable to mask my own irritation.

  “Sorry, sorry,” Shane mutters, positioning another ball on the tee and taking aim.

  “So…” I start when it’s just my brother and me sitting at the table and watching.

  “So…”

  “When were you going to tell me the single bridesmaid was my neighbor?”

  Trevor gives me a stunned look. “What?”

  “I ran into someone familiar in the lobby of the hotel when I was checking in.”

  “Penelope Shaw is your Penelope?”

  I open my mouth to argue that she’s not my Penelope, but I decide not to. Even though she isn’t mine, she damn well feels like it. “The one and only. And I’m a little surprised that you didn’t tell me.”

  “I had no clue, I swear,” he states, his eyes wide with the realization.

  Taking another drink from my bottle, I raise an eyebrow in question. “Didn’t know? How is that possible? Our addresses are right freaking next to each other.”

  Trevor stops, the wheels in his head spinning. “Actually, I don’t even remember your physical address. You use a PO box for your business, and that’s what we sent your invitation to.”

  He has a good point. I’ve always given out my PO box for everything. Sure, Trevor has been to my house a handful of times, but I suppose the actual address might not be something he knew off the top of his head. “I guess I see your point.”

  A broad grin takes over Trevor’s face. “So, let me get this straight. Your neighbor, the one you’ve been crushing on like a teenager for about two years now, is Teagan’s single friend? The one I just so happened to make sure you’re paired up with during the wedding?”

  When I nod my head, he bursts into fits of laughter.

  “Damn, Theo, what are the odds?”

  Pretty slim, if you ask me, but I keep that comment to myself. Instead I focus on the fact I have a wedding in two days and I’ll have Penelope on my arm. I know we didn’t start off on the best foot, but I can’t help but feel like we’ve made some headway over the last few weeks. We may not be friends yet, but we’re definitely cordial.

  Plus, there’s this underlying tension whenever she’s near. At first, I thought I was the only one who felt it, but now, I don’t think that’s the case. I’ve seen the flash of heat in her eyes whenever we’re close.

  Maybe this wedding is the perfect opportunity to show her I’m not a horrible guy. Sure, I may like pushing her buttons every now and again, but that’s just foreplay. Perhaps this weekend, I’ll be able to show her just how special I think she is. How amazing our chemistry is if she allows us to explore it.

  With a smile on my face, I relax in my chair and make a plan.

  One to let Penelope know I’m right here, waiting.

  Chapter Eleven

  Penelope

  “So, what’s up with you?” my friend, Carma, asks, as we trail along behind Teagan at the mini-golf course.

  “Same ol’, same ol’,” I reply, feeling like I’ve answered that question a million times this evening. Not that I’m upset my friends are asking, but I just wish I had a better answer than ‘working and hanging out with my cat because I can’t seem to find a decent guy to date.’

  “How is everything at Sloan’s?”

  “Busy. Getting everything lined up for the spring and summer orders.”

  She smiles and brushes her bangs off to the side. Of course, when she does, I catch sight of that large sparkler sitting on a prominent ring finger.

  “How are Phillip and little Bronson doing?” I ask, desperate for a quick change in subject.

  A bright smile spreads across her lips. “Phillip just started that huge promotion I was telling you all about a few weeks back. He’s the vice president of commercial lending now, which came with a big corner office upgrade. Bronson’s second birthday is coming up at the beginning of December. It’s hard to believe my baby boy is going to be two.”

  I’m already nodding in agreement. It seems like the little guy just arrived weeks ago, let alone nearly two years ago. Bronson was born prematurely and had to spend his first six weeks of life in a NICU at one of Denver’s best hospitals. You’d barely know it now though. Besides being a little small for his age, he’s an energetic, rambunctious toddler.

  “And how’s everything at the hospital?”

  “Busier than ever,” she replies, taking a sip of her fruity drink before setting it down on the small table beside our hole. “The CEO wants me to take the point position on a new fundraising campaign for our surgical suite upgrades. We need to raise three million dollars in the next two years. It’ll be a lot of work, but so worth it. Most of our equipment is starting to show its age, and with the constant change in technology, we’re always doing what we can to stay on top of it.”

  “That sounds wonderful,” I reply, taking my red golf ball and positioning it on the green. “I’m sure you’ll do great at organizing the fundraising efforts. No one can raise money like you.”

  Carma smiles proudly. She works as the outreach director at one of the smaller hospitals in Denver. She’s in charge of everything from organizing community events to handling advertising. She’s the face of the hospital, always in front of the media or at gatherings around the city, and she’s amazing at her job.

  I take aim at the hole at the end of the course. I have to tap my red ball up the ramp, so it goes through the clown’s mouth, spinning around the circus tent, and hopefully dropping the ball into the hole on the other side. If this hole goes anything like the last five, I’ll probably not complete it in the suggested number of strokes.

  Tapping the ball, I watch as it sails up the ramp with too much speed, bouncing off the wall without landing anywhere near the clown’s open mouth. “Oh shoot,” Carma sings. “You’ll get it next time.”

  I can’t help but laugh. “In case you haven’t noticed, golf isn’t exactly my best sport.”

  Carma wrinkles up her nose. “Well, you may be right, but at least you have margaritas to make it all
better.”

  I lift my glass in salute. “Good point.”

  While I’m chugging the frozen strawberry drink, Shannon, Teagan, Faith, and Molly come up behind us. “Teagan just got another hole-in-one. I’m pretty sure she and Trevor have date nights here regularly.”

  Teagan gapes, but there’s no missing the guilt on her face. “Beginner’s luck!”

  “I call bullshit,” Molly teases, holding up their scorecards. “She’s hustling us.”

  Teagan blushes. “Trev and I may have come here a few times over the last few months and played, but that doesn’t mean anything.”

  We all laugh at our friend. “You’re just lucky we love you,” I add, throwing my arm over her shoulder and giving her a hug.

  “And you’re lucky we love you,” Carma says, holding up my scorecard. “Otherwise, you’d still be back on that first hole, trying to get your red ball through the windmill.”

  We all laugh at the quip, but also know it’s completely true. I’m hopeless at mini-golf, and that’s evident by my abysmal score.

  It feels great to be with my girls again. We play through the rest of the nine holes before turning in our colored clubs and balls. “How about another round of margaritas?” Faith asks, pointing to the outside tiki bar area that serves the best frozen margaritas.

  “I’m in! Aaron and Mom have the kids tonight, so I’m staying out as late as I can,” Shannon announces, leading us toward the drinking area.

  I follow my five friends to the bar and take the fresh strawberry margarita that’s handed to me. We settle at a large round table beneath a tiki-style umbrella, even though the sun set hours ago. There are portable heaters nearby, helping keep the night chill at bay, and tons of party lights hanging from the trees. There’s even tropical music filtering through speakers disguised as rocks.

  “I wish Silvia and Elle were here,” Shannon says as we all take our seats, referring to the other two friends who were unable to make it tonight.

  “Me too, but they’ll be here tomorrow morning,” Teagan adds. “I’m just happy you were all able to come for the weekend. It wouldn’t have been the same without one of you.”

  I hold up my frosty glass. “To Teagan and Trevor. May your days be filled with happiness and your nights full of passion.”

  “To Teagan and Trevor,” everyone repeats before clinking glasses and taking a drink.

  “I’ll drink to that!” the bride-to-be announces with a giggle.

  “So,” Faith starts, leaning a little closer to Teagan, “tell us about Trevor’s family. Do you get along with them?”

  Teagan nods as she sets her drink down. “I do. His parents are amazing, and he has a younger brother I’ve met a few times.”

  My ears perk up, and I find myself leaning in just a touch.

  “Younger brother? Is he single?” Carma asks, making Teagan laugh.

  “He is, actually. His name is Theo, and he builds furniture. We have a few of his pieces, including our dining room table and chairs. He does amazing work,” she says, sipping her drink. “Oh! Theo lives in Appleton too. I wonder if you and he have ever crossed paths,” Teagan adds, all eyes now on me.

  “I mean, it’s a big town. Who knows?” I mumble, taking an even bigger drink now to give myself something to do with this nervous energy suddenly coursing through my veins.

  “Big town? Isn’t Appleton, like, a few thousand people?” Faith asks, glancing between me and Shannon.

  “Yeah, well, sure.” Why is it so hot out here?

  Shannon’s eyebrows arch skyward, as if she knows I’m completely full of shit.

  “Not exactly a big town,” Faith adds, seeming completely oblivious to my sudden discomfort. Mostly because everyone at this table knows I can’t lie. If they ask me any more about Theo, there’s no way I will be able to hide that I know him. In fact, he lives right frigging next door to me.

  And he’s rather gorgeous. In all the years I’ve known his brother, Trevor, since he started dating Teagan, never did I think my friend’s guy was gorgeous. Good-looking, sure, but not stunningly attractive like his brother. Theo is the very definition of tall, dark, and handsome, and I still can’t believe he’s here. Of all the hotels in all of Washington, he walks into mine.

  Thankfully, the subject is changed, and everyone starts sharing stories of their kids. Even though Teagan doesn’t have any, she listens in complete rapture, drinking in every funny recount of something someone’s kid did or said. That all too familiar pang of longing worms its way through my body, landing firmly in my chest.

  Someday I’ll have that. The stories and the warnings and the sleepless nights. I want it all.

  “He had poured the entire bowl of SpaghettiOs all over the floor, because he thought Gus was hungry,” Faith proclaims, causing everyone to laugh. “Of course Gus was hungry. He’s a seventy-pound Labrador who sits beside the highchair and waits for the food to fall. We should have named him Dyson.”

  A smile spreads across my face, picturing the mess little Markus surely made with his food. Markus is the most gorgeous baby I’ve ever seen. With his milk chocolate eyes and his equally brown skin, he’s the perfect combination of his mom and dad.

  “How are the triplets enjoying preschool?” Teagan asks Shannon.

  “They love it. Hagen loves when you read to him, while Holden is all about counting things and numbers. Then there’s Henley, who really just prefers playing outside. They’re all three so unique and different, but when they’re together, watch out.”

  “She should have named them Trouble One, Trouble Two, and Trouble Three,” I tease, earning a round of laughter from our table.

  Shannon nods in understanding. “She’s not wrong. Their preschool teacher has reported she must stay on her toes at all times, or else who knows what those three heathens would get into.”

  “Excuse me, ladies, but I have a fresh round of drinks for you,” the bartender announces as he starts setting full margaritas down in front of us.

  “We didn’t order any yet,” Shannon says, taking the offered alcoholic beverage being handed to her.

  “It’s from the gentlemen at the bar.”

  We all stop and turn, spotting the familiar group of guys staring at us. They’re all wearing wide grins, but it’s really one in particular that catches my attention. Theo looks absolutely edible in his navy shirt, dark jeans, and tan boots.

  Teagan lets out a squeal before rushing to where Trevor stands at the bar. “What are you doing here? It’s supposed to be our bachelor and bachelorette parties,” she says, launching herself into his awaiting arms.

  “Crashing your party because I missed you,” he states, right before he kisses her soundly. Both Teagan and Trevor opted out of the traditional bachelor and bachelorette parties, preferring something low-key and intimate for one of their final nights as two single individuals.

  “Come on,” she says, grabbing his hand and pulling him toward our table. “Scooch over, everyone, and make room.”

  I slide over toward Carma, allowing enough room to my left for another chair to slide in. The small group of guys heads over, stealing chairs from other empty tables around us as they approach. I try not to follow Theo with my eyes, but it’s hard not to when I’m so drawn to him.

  Just as I turn to say something to Carma, I feel someone brush against my arm. I instantly know who it is. It’s as if my entire body is hyperaware of my sexy neighbor, going on high alert anytime he’s near.

  “Sorry,” he says, slipping into the empty space beside me.

  “It’s okay,” I reply, caught up in those dark brown eyes and full, kissable lips.

  “We should introduce everyone, since some of you aren’t from here,” Teagan proclaims, going around the table and saying everyone’s names. I can feel a slight hitch in my breath when she gets to Theo, and I just pray no one heard it. “And this is Theo, Trevor’s younger brother. He’s the one who lives in Appleton.”

 
I don’t even glance to the side. “Oh, he does?” I take another healthy drink. At this rate, I’ll be drunk before I know it.

  Theo tosses his ankle up on his knee as best he can in the tight space and chuckles, as if he knows I’m playing dumb.

  I do notice Trevor’s eyebrows shooting up, which tells me he knows we’re neighbors. Figures. “Actually, Teag, I just found out Theo and Penelope are neighbors.”

  “What?” my friend gapes at me from across the table. “Why didn’t you tell me?”

  With a quick shoulder shrug, I reply, “I was just kidding around. We actually just found out today when we arrived at the hotel.”

  “So you two have been neighbors all along and didn’t know it?” Teagan asks, an astonishing look on her face.

  When I nod in confirmation, Faith adds, “It’s like a meet cute.”

  “A what?” Theo asks.

  “A meet cute. It’s when two people meet for the first time in a sweet or cute circumstance.”

  I almost roll my eyes, but refrain. It’s not Faith’s fault she has no idea our first meeting was anything but cute. In fact, it was horrible. Instead of commenting, I reach for my drink, only to realize I had finished it at some point.

  Teagan turns to her fiancé. “Isn’t that crazy, Trevor? What are the odds?”

  I catch the look Trevor flashes to his brother, but I have no idea what it means. “Pretty wild, huh?” he replies, bringing his beer up to his lips and smirking at the man seated beside me.

  “I’m getting another drink. Want one?” Theo asks, glancing down at my empty glass.

  I really should tell him no, but something has me replying, “Sure.” It might do with the fact I can’t seem to think straight when he’s sitting so close to me. The subtle scent of his cologne mixed with the alcohol already coursing through my veins is doing a real number on my brain.

  “Anyone else?” Theo asks the group, and to be honest, I’m grateful. At least it doesn’t look like he’s only buying me a drink. When a few holler their orders, he takes off for the tiki bar.