Playing at Forever - By Michelle Brewer Page 0,30

dress for the evening. Tommy knew he should wait until closer to closing time for the restaurant, but he grew anxious, sitting and waiting, worrying that the paparazzi had already tracked Penny down.

He didn’t want her to have to face them alone.

Besides, what difference did it make now? He was supposed to be seen, seeing her.

Within moments, he was braving the pack of photographers, quickly hopping on his bike and speeding away from them.

The restaurant was still pretty busy, it being a Saturday night. The entire atmosphere of the place had changed as a live band played. He took a deep breath before walking in, catching her eyes immediately. He liked the way she smiled at him, not just with her lips, but with her entire body—as if every fiber within her was happy to see him.

“G-good evening, Mr. Davis,” the young girl stuttered in front of him. He glanced at her name tag quickly.

“Hello Kristen,” he smiled his most dazzling smile at her. “I’m here to have dinner with Miss Lang. Do you think you could arrange that?”

“Um, well, you mean Penny?” Tommy nodded. “Well, I…” The young girl looked over her shoulder, finding Penny. Penny laughed, rolling her eyes at Tommy. “Is she expecting you?”

“She is.”

“Well, I can seat you—”

“Do you think we could have a table on the patio?”

“Of course,” she was eager to please. Tommy smiled, nodding.

The doors leading to the patio were open, the music from the band drifting outside. Penny joined him a moment later, sliding into the chair across from him. “You’ve left my poor hostess star struck, Mr. Davis.”

“I’m sorry.” He really wasn’t, though. He found it funny that, coming from Penny, he didn’t even mind his stage name all that much.

“You’re early,”

“I didn’t specify a time.”

“I wasn’t expecting you until later.” She looked around self-consciously.

“A few followed. They’re across the street, trying to get a good shot. Just smile.” He noticed that her smile faltered, though. “You don’t have to do this, Penny.” She looked down for a moment and when she met his eyes, he saw her smile—it wasn’t a genuine one, but it was still beautiful.

“Yes, I do.” He reached across the table and took her hand. “It’s just that—well, I don’t know what to do, really.”

“I think we should just do our best to…not think about it. The more we think about it, the harder it’s going to be.”

“So—what, we just…keep on doing what we’ve been doing?” she asked and Tommy nodded. “Well, I can do that.” Penny seemed to relax just a bit.

“How about some dinner? You haven’t eaten yet, have you?” Penny shook her head. “Well, let’s eat then.”

“I’m at work—”

“Then take a break.” Penny laughed, shaking her head.

“You’re a horrible influence, I hope you know that. I haven’t taken so much as an hour off of work in months—and here you show up and all of a sudden, I’m slacking left and right.”

“I like to think I bring out the best in people.” He grinned. She might think him a bad influence, but Tommy thought she was in need of a vacation—especially considering the circumstances. Working under the same roof as your ex-husband and the woman he left you for…that had to be difficult.

Tommy had realized earlier in the day that this little charade they were putting on could benefit Penny in more ways than one. Kevin had gotten so used to being the man in Penny’s life that he was having a hard time letting go even after the relationship had ended. Tommy intended to do his very best to remind him exactly where his place was—and exactly what he was missing out on.

“So, what should we order tonight?”

“We have some excellent sea bass.” She told him, and he could tell that she was very proud of this fact. Even in the face of all that had happened here, Penny still loved the restaurant. He gave her credit for it.

He wasn’t sure he could say the same for himself. After all he’d been through in Hollywood, he didn’t know if he cared to even continue his career.

“Excellent—we’ll have two of those.” He spoke. He watched as she rose and hurried into the dining room, speaking with one of the waitresses. On her way back out, Penny stopped—Kevin approaching her. Her body language changed dramatically the moment he neared her and Tommy straightened, already bringing himself to his feet.

They were arguing in hushed tones as Tommy approached. “Excuse me, is there a problem here?”

“This doesn’t