The Blogger and the Hunk by Jane Matisse Page A

Penelope to hear and kick him underneath the table. Celeste was too occupied with her glass of red wine to notice.
    The waiter came back with their orders and Celeste started again. “Come on, you guys. I don’t know what the big deal is. All you have to do is plan out my bachelorette party. That’s it.”
    Penelope sighed. “Fine, I’ll help Jack. And he will graciously plan the event out, without a word,” she quickly added before Jack could object to the idea.
    “Good! See, that’s what I like to see. Teamwork!”
    “Besides, I’ll make sure to keep an eye on him just in case he starts thinking with his little man around the girls,” Penelope teased, throwing a side glance toward Jack.
    “Oh, please! You guys act like I have sex with every chick that walks my way,” Jack responded defensively.
    “Only the pretty ones,” Penelope replied. Jack was about to retort when he suddenly had a better idea. He slightly moved his hand under the table and lightly grazed his fingers on her jean-covered thigh. Penelope cleared her throat, but Jack knew she was stifling a gasp. Her leg kicked the table in reflex.
    “Are you okay, Penny?” Celeste asked, a little worried.
    “I’m fine,” she replied, pinching Jack’s arm. He let out a small yelp, quickly coughing to hide it.
    Celeste merely looked at them suspiciously, and continued to eat. Her phone began to play the Wedding March .
    Ugh , Jack thought. He noticed that Penelope was making a distasteful face.
    “It’s Bryan. I’ll be right back.” Celeste got up from the table, heading for the bathrooms, phone on her ear.
    When she was out of sight, Penelope punched his arm.
    “Hey! What was that for?”
    “Why do you want to ruin my life? Why can’t you just leave me alone? Why the hell did you have to be her friend?”
    “Hey! Wait a minute!” Jack started. “Wait just a damn minute. I’m here because Celeste wants me here. Celeste wa—”
    “Celeste doesn’t know what kind of friend she really has!” Penelope whispered emphatically. She was trying her best not to make a scene, to keep herself in control, but Jack could see past her controlled persona. He had the urge to push all her buttons, to see the utter wreck Penelope could be when she wasn’t hiding behind her composure. It made her all the more appealing, even if she was an unusual woman.
    Before he could form a retort, Celeste came back to the table, taking the seat across from them again.
    “Bad news, I have to leave you guys hanging here,” she said, taking out a few bills from her clutch and placing them on the table. “That should be enough for the bill. Have fun planning!” She was getting ready to leave when both Jack and Penelope called after her.
    “Wait! What?”
    “Bryan arranged a spa appointment and I am so not going to pass it up. If you need me, just send me a text. Can’t wait to see what you guys come up with!” And with that Celeste was out the door.
    The table was silent again. Penelope started to get up and leave, but Jack stopped her.
    “Hey, don’t leave on my account,” he said, cutting into his steak. “Might as well finish your meal.”
    Jack could see her hesitation, but noticed her eyes drifting back to her unfinished food.
    “Come on, I’ll even move to the other side of the table if it makes you feel more comfortable.” Jack took his plate and drink and walked over to Celeste’s seat.
    Penelope sighed and sat back down, digging in to the steak she’d ordered.
    “Not afraid of digging into a good piece of steak, eh?” Jack began, trying to make polite conversation.
    Penelope looked up at him, a chunk of steak drizzled with sauce halfway to her mouth, and blushed a little. “I guess I just like food.” She chuckled awkwardly.
    Jack’s eyes went wide. “Oh God, I-I-I didn’t mean it in that context. I meant it as an admirable thing. You have a healthy appetite. Means you’re not afraid of getting what you want.” Jack felt like he was talking