Disclaimer: I own nothing.
Derek took a deep breath. He was very nervous, just like on his first date with Violet Hanson.
But back then he was an inexperienced thirteen-year-old boy. Now he was a 43-year-old daddy.
He could not help closing his eyes. His heart could be heard even from his throat. But his brain couldn't understand such a reaction. Why such anxiety? That was not a date. He didn't have to feel that breathlessness feeling.
After all, she was just an old friend. Someone whom he hadn't seen for more than a year.
He really missed Penelope. Every day he tried to contact her. He needed to know that she was fine.
Derek couldn't help feeling that he had failed her. He could not be fully happy if his best friend was not around him. He could not sleep peacefully without making sure that the woman was safe at home.
Something similar to remorse hit him in the middle of his guts. He was her family. She was alone in the world and he had abandoned her.
But she asked him. She begged for distance. Penelope almost begged him to interrupt their friendship. She needed time alone.
Derek looked at the giant clock that had hung on the wall of that cafeteria. 8:45. She was late.
What if she did not show up? After all, Penelope had been able to survive without him for twelve months.
But then he noticed a hand on his shoulder. A warm gesture that was very familiar.
-whoa, you really wanted to see me. Five minutes late and you were already looking at the clock.
He turned to look at her with a big smile on his face. But the woman who was in front of his eyes, she was a stranger.
Penelope smiled mischievously, she knew her new look had hit him. Derek was still gawking at her.
-¿Penelope?
She laughed, throwing her silky chocolate hair back. She placed her long hair over her left shoulder as arching her right eyebrow.
- It's me, honey. Most beautiful, with sexy clothes and my self-esteem at the height of the clouds.- She leaned her forearms on the table, before whispering. -But I'm still your babygirl.
Derek cocked his head to look at her with a frown. His dark eyes swept over her body. She was practically the same but nevertheless she was different.
Penelope wore a little red dress that hugged every firm curve of her body. A biker jacket now rested on her chair. She was prettier. She was sexy as a devil. She had changed all her sweetness for sensuality.
-You've changed a lot.
She smiled again, still looking into his eyes.
-For better or worse?
He let out something like a sigh, as he felt his mouth dry. He could not help moistening his lips.
- Do you doubt it? I think I've fallen in love with you again.
Both friends laughed. Their banter were like that. But deep down, they both knew better.
Penelope she'd become a player. Derek was a free man. Day was going to be long, very long. Maybe they will even share the sunrise.
A/n: Hello! This was an idea that came to mind. I always write Penelope suffering, crying for unrequited love. For once, she will be the player. LOL. I hope you liked this ONESHOT. Maybe later I'll turn it into a fic. Thank you for reading. And sorry for my grammatical errors.