Irresistibly Yours - Lauren Layne Page 0,55

features of someone with Down syndrome.

So immersed was Penelope in his happy, relieved smile, it didn’t immediately register that her popcorn thrower wasn’t alone.

Or that she recognized the man with him.

“Cole?”

He turned around, noticing her with an expression that fell somewhere among shock, dismay, and wariness.

“You know my brother?” Popcorn Thrower asked happily.

Brother. This was Cole’s brother.

“Penelope and I work together,” Cole said, shifting his attention back to his brother. “Penelope, this is Bobby.”

“I’m his big brother!” Bobby said, sticking out a hand for her to shake.

“Ah, then I bet you know all his secrets, huh? You may just become my next best friend.”

“Cole’s my best friend,” Bobby responded immediately. “But you could be my second best friend. After Andy. And Sara. And Joyce. And—”

“I’m sure Penelope will be thrilled just to be on the long list, bud,” Cole said. “But maybe we should hand her some of our napkins?”

Bobby turned around and rifled around the front pocket of his sweatshirt and came up with a handful of napkins. Penelope took them, although it was really too late to do much other than swipe at the remaining kernels. The butter had already left an oily tie-dyed pattern all over her shirt and jeans.

Bobby had become distracted by a double play on the field, but Cole was still watching her. The shock had faded, and maybe some of the dismay, but he was definitely still wary. Because she was crashing his time with his brother?

Wait. Oh God. Did he think she’d followed him here?

She scooted forward. “Cole, I swear, this is a total coincidence. I had no idea you were coming today, and…wait, aren’t you a Yankees fan?”

“I am, but—”

“I’m a Mets fan,” Bobby said proudly.

Penelope nodded at this, taking a bite of her neglected hot dog. “A split family. I love that kind of drama.”

“You should come down here and sit by us!” Bobby said.

“Oh, I’m—”

“Yes, do,” Cole said. “It’s not safe for you back there. I hear it’s cloudy, with a chance of popcorn showers.”

Bobby laughed and Cole winked at her.

“Well, I guess—”

Cole reached around, grabbing her beer from the cup holder and moving it down to his row.

Why not?

It beat watching the game alone.

Plus, now she knew that Cole wasn’t with another woman and she was feeling a bit giddy.

There were two free seats. One on the other side of Bobby, one on the other side of Cole.

She chose the one next to Bobby, who seemed absolutely delighted to have someone to regale with his rather impressive knowledge of Mets history.

Penelope was a little worried she’d have a hard time not sneaking glances at Cole, but as the innings ticked by, her concern evaporated. Bobby was really, truly charming.

He had a youthful energy that made one happy to be alive. He also shared his remaining popcorn. Couldn’t beat that.

“Do you have a crush on my brother?” Bobby asked, after Cole had bought them all ice creams.

Penelope leaned over and snuck a bite of Bobby’s chocolate ice cream, which was better than her vanilla.

“I do. A little bit,” she said.

Cole glanced up at her in surprise and she shrugged.

“Are you going to get married?” Bobby asked. “Then we can be best friends and you can be my sister!”

“Bob,” Cole said in a warning voice.

Bobby looked at him in confusion. “What?”

“Penelope and I are just friends,” Cole explained.

Penelope swallowed, telling herself that it didn’t sting.

Of course they were just friends. Heck, she was the one who’d set the rules. Multiple times. And even if they were more than friends, she could understand why he wouldn’t want his brother to get the wrong idea.

It wasn’t like the three of them were going to start making a routine out of ball games together.

That last thought caused a little stab of regret, and Penelope frowned down at her ice cream. What was wrong with her? One baseball game and she was all ready to insert herself into Cole’s family?

She wondered if it was always just the two of them, or if parents sometimes tagged along. Did Cole’s parents live in New York? Were they alive?

It was something a girlfriend would know. Heck, it was something a friend would know.

Her frown deepened as she realized just how little she knew the man she was sometimes sleeping with.

After singing “Take Me Out to the Ball Game” at the seventh-inning stretch, Bobby headed to the restrooms with firm instructions that he did not want Cole to come with him.

Penelope and Cole stayed standing, watching in awkward