Betting Against the Odds (9 page)

She grabbed her wine raising it up, “Well let’s toast to new beginnings and no more cheating lying anorexic girls.”

I laughed out loud grabbing my glass clinking it with hers, “Cheers”.

We sat there finishing eating and drinking the rest of the wine. We decided to take some popcorn and another bottle of wine to watch the movie “If I Stay”

It was a good movie a girly movie and Penelope was crying so hard by the time it was over that next to her laid a whole box of used tissues. I smiled at her pulling her hair, “You are such a wimp my love”

She hit my shoulder as she laughed, “I am not a wimp I am just overly sensitive.”

I pulled her into my arms but she pulled away. I tensed up looking at her, “I thought we were okay now. I mean I explained Isabella to you and I thought we could erase it or something.”

She looked so sad as she spoke, “I do understand Matt but I honestly don’t think we should be close how we are”

I shook my head not understanding, “I don’t know what you me like how?”

She blew out a breath, “I mean we shouldn’t kiss or hug anymore its confusing and I don’t want to be hurt and I don’t want to hurt you. So let’s be platonic just friends nothing else.”

I didn’t like it. I didn’t like it all but I knew I messed up and now I would have to prove myself all over again to her so I smiled holding out my hand, “Fine then we have a deal friends and nothing else.”

Luke and Anna came home later that night giving me a look of question as I shook my head. Anna smiled at Penelope as we planned out our next bucket list item one more week to go in Hollywood and then we are off to New Orleans.

Ch. 9: Write My Name in Wet Cement (Penelope’s POV)

This week was almost over and I was thankful for it the twins were great and so was everything else but my relationship with Matt was completely differently it was filled with tension. I was questioning everything I said and Matt seemed to be walking on egg shells around me. I didn’t know how I was supposed to feel about everything I was scared Matt would realize that he wanted the second chance with his ex- fiancée I mean why would he she was freaking beautiful and she said she was a model.

We decided that today we would write our names in cement the problem was figuring out where we would go. The twins came up with a solution quickly stating that we could do it in front of their house. We decided to meet up later to have a barbeque before the cementing ceremony. We were all lying around being lazy waiting for the time to leave when I decided that it was time for me to call Elaina and see what was going on and that side of the state.

The phone rang four times before she answered, “Hello Penny is that you?”

I smiled at the sound of her voice, “El, holy shit I miss you girl? How is everything? How is your mother?”

“Mom is fine she is feeling a little weak but she is getting better slowly but surely. How are you girl? Anything happen?”

I smiled, “Well me and Matt made out like teenagers for a week or so until I found out he had a fiancée who happened to be here and she is a model and she is beautiful and now Matt and I are no longer making out instead we are walking around each other like we are not sure what to do or how to feel.”

“Holy shit mamacita you been gone two weeks and already so much drama. But I have to say that I like Matt and you together you guys complement each other. I know you though and you are feeling insecure and shit about this ex- woman and believe me you have no reason to be worried about that drama at all.”

I gave a sigh, “But he kissed her and basically eye raped her after he made out with me like a minute after.”

“I know honey but he didn’t react to her kiss he was just surprised I mean he told you that he hadn’t seen her since the day he caught her bonking his best bud. Now I say you get your head out of your ass and enjoy the fine piece of man who wants you. Okay?”

“Okay” I said sighing, “But I don’t want to get hurt and I don’t want to hurt him I mean I am dying El, he won’t stick around if he knew that.”

Elaina sighed in frustration, “Penny babe you are the only one who thinks like that I say you wanted to live now are you going to live your life trying not to fall in love with a hot man or are you going to allow yourself to fall so madly blindly in love that for once in your life you live to the fullest?”

I laughed a little pausing to think, “Your right. I think I said go back to making out with him.”

“Well I meant more than that but hey that’s a start I want you to have fun and remember Valentine’s Day is tomorrow and I think you should take advantage of it if you know what I mean? Oh crap I gotta get going to work but call me once you get to New Orleans man I wish I was going with you guys.”

I sighed, “I know I wish you were here too. I miss you and Mrs. Rose it isn’t the same but hey what are you doing tomorrow got a hot date?”

She laughed but then got quiet on me that I had to clear my throat to capture her attention, “Um well I have to work tomorrow,” she said slowly, “but the thing is Cole has been stopping by a couple of times and well he is supposed to visit me tomorrow but it isn’t a date it’s more like a “friend” dinner thing nothing special, “she spit out quickly well I gave a laugh.

Elaina and Cole who would have guessed but they did look good together hmmm, “okay well have fun with your “friend” dinner thing and I want details but I have to go the twins are here so I will call you soon. Bye girl.”

We hung up as I took a moment to compose myself El, was right it is time for me to let go of all the insecurities and “what ifs” and just live with the right now and I think I will start by inching back to what we were before the whole thing with Isabella happened.

I made my way to the hotels living room where everyone was waiting the twins enveloping me in a hug asking how I was feeling. I told them I was doing well. We all decided to split up Matt and I were going to the store to get the food, Anna and Luke were getting the liquor, and the twins were going to meet us at their house with all the things to write in the cement.

The store was jammed pack with a bunch of people pushing and hitting each other. I was hit about five times before Matt finally pulled me in front of him and the basket his arms caging me in as his body pressed against my back causing me to breathe in rapidly. I tried to calm down my breathing but every time I had it under control he would touch me lightly on my waist, my shoulder, or breathe on to my neck causing me to lose my breath all over.

We got all the food placing it on the belt so we could check out. I was reading a magazine when I noticed the cashier woman flirting with Matt well ignoring our groceries. She kept touching his arm and laughing at whatever he said it was sick and I was getting pissed.

Now I am not a jealous person but I could feel myself getting madder as I watched her lean over her bosom peeking out. I decided it was the right time to intervene before I ended up socking the cashier her fake boobs.

I walked up to Matt putting my arm around his waist pulling him into me as I spoke to the cashier, “Excuse me Miss but can you hurry up and do what you paid to do because my boyfriend and I have a lot of things to do.”

The cashiers face grew red as she hurried up with our groceries well Matt looked down at me with amusement in his eyes; my answer to him was to flip him off.

We were back in the car driving to the twin’s house when he started to speak, “So tomorrow is Valentine’s Day and Luke and I are taking you and Anna to a restaurant we weren’t going to tell you but we need your help.”

I looked at him confusion on my face, “Help with what?”

“Well you see Luke planned to propose to Anna there he has a ring and everything and we need you to keep her occupied until we are ready.”

I thought quietly to myself dinner a fancy restaurant. I don’t know if I was happy or sad. I mean my friend is getting proposed to like for reals but at the same time I kind of wanted to spend tomorrow alone with Matt but I mean I couldn’t exactly say no.

“Okay I can help I can take her to the spa all morning get our nails and hair done. Try on some dresses and when it is time you two can send a limo or something. Oh so what restaurant is it.”

He smiled as me for a second well shaking his head, “Nope I can’t tell you that I mean I want this to be a surprise for you too,” he paused staring at the road before glancing back at me his face serious, “I know you said that you just want to be friends but I would like tomorrow to be an actual date even if it has to be just in my own head.”

He grew quiet again as I let what he said flood through my head an actual date with him. I was positively giddy we might not be completely alone but he admitted that it was a date between us. My phone beeped interrupting my thoughts I looked down to see that my prescription was ready at the Walgreens by the hotel.

“Hey Matt can we stop at the Walgreens by the house before we go to the twins. I need to pick up my prescriptions.”

He said okay. We went through the drive thru as I told them my name answering all the questions as they handed me my prescriptions. Matt didn’t ask any questions which I was grateful for.

We made it to the house as we gathered the food going inside to prepare the steaks. We were all laughing well waiting for everything to get done when Austin pulled us into their back yard where the wet cement was waiting.

We all took turns writing our names in the cement Anna and Luke wrote their names together a heart around it well Matt put his name under my name. We stood up looking at our names when Anna said she forgot something she grabbed the stick making a heart around mine and Matt’s name. She stood up winking at us as the twins pulled us inside so we could eat and talk. It was a great day and I had a feeling tomorrow would be even better.

              The next day I woke up next to a smiling Matt who was holding a bouquet of roses out toward me. I smiled grasping them into my hand as I smelt them.

“Oh Matt they are beautiful. Thank you.”

He smiled running his finger down my nose slowly, “Yes you are beautiful love now the plan is ready the limo will be here for you two at seven and believe me I can’t wait for it.”

He was getting up to leave when I remembered the Valentine’s Day present I bought for Matt, “Wait Matt you can’t leave yet I bought you something.”

I grabbed the box from the closet walking towards him as he looked at me a look of appreciation in his eyes, “Love you didn’t have to get me anything.”

I smiled at him, “I know but I wanted to you are my Valentine.”

He smiled as he grabbed the gift, “Yes I am,” he opened it slowly savoring the moment when finally he pulled out the leather motorcycle jacket I found for him. I took in his expression of awe.

He looked at me his eyes glistened a little he didn’t speak as he grabbed me pulling me into his arms holding me tightly as he whispered thank you over and over again. We parted as he left with Luke to plan tonight.

Anna and I both met in the living room exchanging chocolates for each other well we made our way down to the hotel spa. I have never been pampered in my life; I know I am rich or whatever but I never had a reason to sit somewhere and allow myself to get pampered.

We started with back rubs by the brilliant masseuse who had hands of a God I would have been very embarrassed with him touching my naked back but by the time his hands were on me I lost all thoughts. I looked towards Anna who seemed to be in the same mind set as me.

The hours flew by with back massages, foot massages, head massages, and by the time we were done I felt boneless absolutely totally boneless and it felt great.

By the time we were ready to get our nails and feet done my phone started beeping. I excused myself to answer Matt’s call well Anna looked at me suspiciously.

“Hello,” I whispered.

He laughed, “Hey love why are you whispering?”

“Because Anna is looking at me suspiciously now so are you guys almost done?” I kept whispering.

“Yea we are almost done the limo will be there at exactly 7. I want you to splurge Anna by the prettiest dress and shoes. I left my name at the hotel desk go to him so you can pick up the credit card this day is part of your Valentine’s present,” he paused yelling to someone to hold on, “Okay love I have to go now. I miss you and I can’t wait to see you.”

I whispered goodbye as I made my way back to Anna who looked up at me as soon as I sat down, “So who was that Pen?”

I lifted my shoulder, “My doctor he wanted to go over the new medicine he sent me.”

She sat there staring at me until she finally shook her head okay. Once we were done at the spa we made our way to the front desk where I was giving the credit card and directions to the best hair and makeup stylist along with a great place that sells dresses in mine and Anna’s size.

Seven o’clock came faster than we thought but we were ready. Anna had her hair pinned up, nails done in purple, a purple laced dress, with black stilettoes, and smoky eyes look with nude lips. I was wearing my hair down curled all around, French tip nails with a hint of silver, a white laced dress with a silver lace over the bodice, makeup was done in a smoky gray with a red lip, and my shoes were silver glittery stilettoes. I felt beautiful and Anna looked breathtaking I couldn’t contain my giddiness at what I know would happen tonight.

We made our way outside where a limo was waiting for us we got inside where bouquets of flowers were waiting for us. We both sighed in happiness as we sat there waiting to see where we were going. The limo came to a stop as the driver opened our doors revealing our destination which was “Oliver’s Prime” Luke and Matt were waiting by the door for us dressed up in slacks and nice dress shirts. God he was beautiful.

Luke ran towards Anna giving her a kiss well devouring her with his eyes I laughed at the display my laughter dying suddenly when I saw Matt walking towards me silently but intently. He glanced down at my feet moving his gaze up and over my body making my body heat up in answer. He finally reached me looking into my eyes he smiled widely grabbing my hand and kissing it, “You are breathtaking my love a vision in white.”