"OMG! Okay, so you guys are never going to believe what happened to me!" Penelope trilled to the camera, clapping her hands together excitedly. "So, you probably all know that I've had kind of a major crush on one Derek Morgan for basically ever..."
"You what?" came a muffled voice from off-screen, the camera shaking with its operator's movement.
"Hush, my love," Penelope commanded, waving away the voice's concern. "Anyway... So, I was getting coffee one day and who did I miraculously happen to run into, but The sculpted God of Chocolate Thunder: Derek Morgan himself!"
"You know, Plum Sauce, you could sound a little less excited," the voice protested again.
"Kevin, you're interrupting," she sing-songed. "As I was saying," she said pointedly, "After I was done freaking out – you know, sweating, squeaking, and hyperventilating...the whole deal – I managed to say hi. Well, actually, I kind of screamed it at him. But he was super nice about it and we got to talking and..." She made a high-pitched squeal of excitement. "He agreed to come on the show!"
"Hey, Baby Girl," Derek greeted, coming into the frame, flashing his signature million watt smile. He wrapped an arm around her shoulders and kissed her cheek.
She sighed dreamily as she wrapped him in an enthusiastic hug, squeezing him tightly. "Isn't he just the cutest?" she asked her viewers.
"You're not so bad yourself," he replied, winking.
She giggled. "And we are here at the track today because he's going to show us the workout that created those legendary incredible abs."
"Well, I don't know about that, but it'll really get your heart rate up."
"You get my heart rate up," she flirted.
"Pen..." Kevin whined petulantly.
Flopping to the grass, panting heavily, Penelope pouted, whined, "I thought you were going to go easy on me..."
"Not a chance, Baby Girl," he said, "You wanted a workout, you got a workout... We've still got a two mile run to do."
"Two miles!?" She shook her head insistently. "I didn't say I wanted to work out! I sit on my perfect posterior all day. This is for the viewers who are more physically inclined."
He chuckled, settled down next to her on the grass, elbowing her playfully. "I'm just messing with you. This was just a good time for me."
Pushing herself to sit up, Penelope fixed him with a mischievous smirk. "So... Is there anyone special in your life?"
"Hey," Derek protested, "I thought this was a workout video?"
"Come for the workout, stay for the gossip," she said with a shrug and a coy smile. "So, spill."
He shook his head. "Nope. Nu-uh."
Penelope narrowed her eyes, staring at him inquisitively, then turned to the camera. "Is he blushing? I think he's blushing... There's totally someone! Who is it?" Her eyes went wide. "OMG is it another athlete? I smell a power couple!"
He shook his head, mimed zipping his lips. "Keep this up and you'll be running three miles..."
"Oh!" she said in a whoosh of air. "I know! It's that total babe you did the commercial with! I knew it! You two had way too much chemistry not to be doing the horizontal tango..."
"Hey, Nosy Rosie," he scolded, shaking his head. "You're going to get me in trouble with my mama if you keep talking like that..."
She held her hands up in self-defence. "Okay, okay, I'm sure you're a perfect gentleman. But you are dating her?"
He sighed, but was unable to hide his smile at the mention of Emily. "Yeah. She's everything to me."
"That's so cute," she cooed. "I totally ship it." Then, turning back to the camera, she proudly announced to Kevin, "What did I tell you? You owe me twenty bucks..."
"Hey, you..." Emily said, smiling shyly as she pushed the door open. She winced, then, wishing she'd said something a little less awkward.
For a few moments, he stood there in silence, gaping at her. "I, umm... Wow," he stammered. "I mean, hi. You look amazing."
She felt her cheeks flush at the compliment. She glanced down at the skin-tight red fabric of her dress, brushing away an imaginary piece of lint. "Thanks," she mumbled. She timidly brushed a lock of perfectly curled hair behind her ear.
"I didn't know we were going somewhere fancy or I would have dressed up too," he said, suddenly feeling underdressed in just his jeans and a t-shirt.
"Oh, we're just staying here," she rushed to assure him. "I just figured that since this was kind of a second chance at first impressions, I'd try to make a good one."
He laughed a little. "I think if we're keeping track it's at least the third attempt..." The look she shot him was decidedly unamused, so he backtracked, "Don't get me wrong, I really appreciate the effort – I've never seen you wear anything so...suggestive."
It was her turn to laugh. "Suggestive?" she repeated. "What are you, eighty?
"How dare you!" he said as if scandalized. "I'm a gentleman!"
She snorted. "Whatever."
He startled her then by wrapping her in an embrace. He hadn't realized just how much he'd missed holding her until that very moment. He didn't voice it, but the feeling in his chest in that moment felt a lot like he was meant to spend a lifetime with her in his arms.
Releasing her, feeling suddenly embarrassed by his display of emotion, he asked, "So, what's the plan for tonight? I hope you're going to go easy on me..."
She rolled her eyes playfully. "That's right, you really exerted yourself today. Got yourself a little stan..."
"What the hell is a stan?"
"Like a really hardcore fangirl..."
"Oh...you mean Penelope," he said, understanding dawning on him. "You saw that, huh?"
"JJ texted me the link," she said, studiously watching his expression. "This girl you talked about – the one who's your 'everything'..." she prompted. "She must be pretty special."
"Yeah," he said, nodding, eyes never leaving hers. "Yeah, she's incredible. I can't imagine my life without her."