definitely a conversation he was going to have with her.
He made his way into the house to find her wearing one of his t-shirts as she thumbed through his vast film collection.
“You know, you probably have more movies here than my dad had at his store.” He didn’t notice the banana until she took a bite.
Well, maybe he’d save it for after the movie, he thought.
Yes, after the movie. That was a good idea.
“Are you hungry?” She questioned. Starving.
“I…could eat.”
“I already checked the cupboards. You don’t have any food.” Tommy shrugged, trying to focus here.
“Well, I guess we’ll have to order in then, won’t we?” Penny smiled happily as Tommy disappeared into the kitchen to retrieve his extensive menu selection. “How about Chinese? This place has some of the most amazing—”
“Stop right there and just dial the number. This is about experience for me. I’m ready for just about anything.” She leaned in very close. “Within reason, of course.”
“Penny Lane, you might very well be the death of me,” he couldn’t stop himself from saying the words. And of course, Penny just giggled.
It wasn’t until a couple hours later, after the movie, after they’d eaten, that Penny hurried into the room from the kitchen and jumped onto the couch, lying down in his lap. “I feel like I’m in a fairytale, Tommy. My own personal fairytale.”
“You haven’t even seen anything yet,” he told her, tangling his fingers in her hair.
“I can’t imagine it getting any better than this, though.” She rolled on to her side, using his leg as a pillow as she used the remote to turn the lights down and start the next movie.
And it was in that moment that Tommy realized he felt exactly the same way.
She woke to find herself on Tommy’s couch. It wasn’t like any couch she had slept on before, though, because she woke up feeling wide awake and refreshed—not at all stiff or sore. “What a lot of good it did me, giving up my room for you,” Tommy’s tone was sarcastic as Penny opened her eyes and looked up at him. “Good morning.”
“You should have woken me!” She sat up quickly, looking around the room. “You’re already dressed?”
“And showered, aren’t you proud?” Penny frowned. She hadn’t meant to fall asleep last night. She couldn’t even remember what had been going on in the movie.
“How long was I sleeping?” Tommy glanced at his watch. “About ten hours.”
“Ten hours?” Penny jumped up, realizing she still wore Tommy’s t-shirt, and under that, her bathing suit. “Well that just wasn’t supposed to happen.” Tommy laughed.
“It’s a vacation, Pen. Relax a little bit.”
“Actually, don’t relax. Not today. Today, you’ve got appointments.” It was Graham’s voice. Penny turned around to find the man coming down the hallway behind her.
“What kind of appointments?” Penny asked.
“I’m curious about that myself.” Tommy added, crossing his arms.
“Nothing too strenuous. I just scheduled some time at the spa. Maybe a little shopping afterward.” Graham turned to Penny. “Don’t worry, it’s all on Tom’s tab.”
“I don’t need Tommy to pay—”
“No, it’s okay, Penny. I want you to be able to enjoy yourself a little while you’re here.”
“But Tommy—”
“It’s all about experience, isn’t it?” Penny glared at him. How dare he turn her own words against her. That wasn’t fair.
“Don’t worry, you two little lovebirds will be reunited tonight. You’re having dinner at The Ivy tonight. Reservations for nine sharp.” Graham offered a cocky grin. “Now, you run off and see what you can do with yourself and you, come with me,” he pointed to Tommy. “A driver will be by to pick you up in about thirty minutes, Penelope.”
“Oh wow,” she only had time to offer Graham a dirty look before he ushered Tommy off and she had to hurry upstairs to shower.
She finished with almost no time to spare, having taken a few minutes to decide what to wear. She had no idea what people in L.A. wore to spas. Finally, she just settled on a pair of shorts and a plain tank top. She’d seen people in Hollywood wearing shorts and tank tops before, hadn’t she?
Of course she had, she told herself as she climbed into the back of the car. The driver didn’t speak to her at all and so she sat quietly in the back, taking it all in. The paparazzi still waited outside Tommy’s house, as if they had taken up permanent residency there. Part of her almost felt bad for them. What kind of a life did