I just wanted to clear up one thing from the previous chapter for everyone that was confused. When I wrote "Luke paused to smile with his back towards her as he grabbed the doorknob to leave." He did in fact leave the house. He wasn't there when Penelope said "Just say the word Luke and I will leave.. happily."
✦XO✦
Penelope was busy cooking when she remembered something and texted Luke.
Penelope: Please pick up a few bottle of wine on your way home. I know you won't try to come home early so I'll have your clothes out for you. Should I pull out a white or black button down. Does anyone have any allergies?
Luke: No allergies but Matt lacks common sense. I'll bring the wine, red or white? Button down, it's just Matt and Prentiss. I will be fine in jeans and a tshirt.
Penelope: Red, please. What happen to JJ? I know they are just your friends but it's the first time they are coming to the house after we got married. I know it isn't formal so I am not asking you to wear a tuxedo but you need to look nice.
Luke: Apparently JJ is busy doing something that is related to the good news Matt wants to tell me at dinner. Jeans and a tshirt is fine Penelope, trust me.
Penelope: Good News? Work related? As you wish but I am still going to keep the clothes out for you in case you change your mind.
Luke: No. Any good news with Matt is never work related.
Penelope: Thank goodness. I thought I would be stuck between two workaholic at dinner. I can breathe again.
Luke: Not amused.
Penelope: When are you ever. Please don't forget the wine.
A few minutes later, Luke arrived at wine and spirit shop when he got a text from Matt.
Matt: Luke, white or blue?
Luke: White or blue what?
Matt: Sorry, button down shirt, white or blue?
Luke: You are my best friend and are coming to my house. There is no need to dress formal. Jeans and tshirt is fine.
Matt: I am not planning to walk into your house in a three piece suit but I do want to look nice. It's my first time at your house after the wedding and first time meeting your wife.
Luke: Jeans and tshirt is fine Matt. But you won't listen so blue I guess.
Luke grabbed a couple of bottles of wine and made his way to the register. Luke had been coming here since he moved to this town.
"Hey Jim." Luke said as he placed the bottles in front of him. Jim looked up at Luke questioning with a hint of worry. "Dinner party." Luke was Jim best customer when he first moved there. However, Jim was more then happy to see him go.
"You look good Luke. It's been a few years." Jim smiled as he rang up the purchase. "Matt told me a while back you got married. Congratulations."
"Thanks Jim." Luke took out his card to pay him. He grabbed the receipt, the bottles and was about to head out when he turned to look at Jim.
"Hey Jim, what would you wear to a dinner party your best friend is having? Jeans and a tshirt or a button down with pants." Luke looked at the man thinking.
"Depends on the invite, what is it? Jim questioned back.
"Casual dinner to introduce my wife to Matt." Luke said unsure.
"Button down and pants" Jim smiled at him.
"Huh!?" Luke turned around to head back out, thinking.
"Listen to your wife Luke. She seems like a smart women." Jim smiled as the next customer came to the register.
Luke waved bye as he left.
Penelope was busy cooking and tidying up when Luke walked in through the door. She looked over to the time on the stove scared she was running behind. She jumped when she heard Luke placed the bottle on the island. She turned to look at him
"Are you ok?" Luke asked when he saw her jump.
"Yeah I just thought I was running behind." she didn't know why but she was really nervous. "You left work early today or did they kick you out?" she said surprised, she didn't think he would leave early. He must of been on the road when she texted him.
"Yeah I thought I come home early to help but it seems like you have everything prepared. He looked around the house. Everything was neat and tidy.
"You could help set the table." She told him pointing to the nearly bare table. They hardly ate on the table.
For the next hour they were both busy cutting and prepping the food and putting final touches around the house. When they place the food in the oven to cook, Luke went to take a shower.
Penelope felt nervous she decided to open a bottle of wine and pour herself a glass. She choked when she saw Luke walk out wearing a black button down and black pants. She seen him dressed up before and she couldn't deny he was very handsome. But this was the first time she seen him in all black and he looked hot. She began to hot and heavy. Her cheeks began to turn red when he began rolling up his sleeves as he walked up to her. He would be the death of her.
"Are you ok Penelope?" Luke asked hearing her choke. Penelope nodded taking in his cologne. "You sure? You are also sweating. Do you have a fever, let me check?" Luke reach out to touch her but she backed away. If he touched her, she didnt think she would be able to hold herself.
"It's just the wine and the heat in here. I should go shower and get ready they would be here soon." She placed her wine glass down and ran over to the bedroom. Leaving Luke confused.
Luke finished cooking the food. He took a sip from the wine glass Penelope had placed down earlier as he grabbed the remote to put on the radio. Light music filled the background when the door rang. Suddenly the noise of heels hitting the floor echoed in the background. Luke turned to look at the source of the heel. He froze as he watched Penelope rushed over to the door putting on earrings. Luke throat went dry as he looked at Penelope greet their guest. She looked amazing in red strap bodycon dress that stopped just above her knee that had a tiny slit to her left.
Matt greeted Penelope with a kiss on the cheek before handing her the bouquet of flowers he brought for her. After she turned to Prentiss, she paused, that smell. Breaking out of her trance, she greeted her with a kiss on the cheek as well. Penelope paused a little longer to make sure. When she pulled away Prentiss looked a little taken back and had a questioning look on her face. "I am so sorry. It's your perfume, it's smells amazing." Penelope said smiling.
Prentiss relaxed and smiled back "Thank you. It's YSL Libre. It's the only one I use."
Penelope looked at the Prentiss lips as she spoke. It matched the shade she found on his shirt. Penelope broke out of her trance and asked them to come on in. She walked a step behind them looking towards Luke who look hypnotized as they walked towards him. Of course he was. Prentiss was gorgeous. Matt snapped his finger in front of Luke. Luke broke out of his trance and hugged Matt and Prentiss.
"Penelope I made dessert and it needs to be refrigerated." She lifted the box she was holding.
Penelope moved forward and grabbed the box she was holding. She had made dessert but the more the merrier. "Thank you so much. This was very kind of you." Prentiss was thoughtful, Penelope thought as she walked over to place the box in the fridge.
"It is what I think it is." Luke asked Prentiss eagerly.
"What do you think?" Prentiss laughed at Luke curiosity.
Luke quickly grabbed Prentiss and hugged her tightly making her squeal. Penelope turned to finding Luke with his arms wrapped around Prentiss placing all his weight on her. Matt was looking at them laughing like it was a normal thing. She took a deep breath and proceeded to inviting them to the living room for drinks. The conversation jumped from one thing to another. From how they all meet to a crazy party Luke, Matt and Derek threw. A friend that disappeared and then reappeared. Some stories included Prentiss some did not. But Penelope watch how the three laughed and joked with each other. If it wasn't for that one thing on the back of her mind she would of enjoyed herself more.
The conversation continued on the dining table. Luke helped Penelope bring the food to the table. Luke sat at the head of the table as Penelope sat to his right, Prentiss to his left and Matt next to Prentiss. Stories after stories spilled out from each of them. Penelope couldn't help but notice how at ease Luke was. She also couldn't help but notice the connection Luke and Prentiss had. The constant touching, teasing and smirks didn't go unnoticed by her. As everyone finally settled down after dinner, Matt stood up as everyone watched him walk over to the living room bringing back the bag he brought with him. He went back to his spot at the table and coughed as if he was going to give a speech.
"Seriously a speech. It's not that type of dinner and even if it was you do it towards the beginning and not the end." Luke looked at Penelope. "Told you no common sense."
"Shhh let him talk." Penelope said to Luke while putting a finger to her lips. Luke repeated the action and shook his head before turning to look at Matt. Penelope smiled she had never seen this side of Luke before, she probably saw hints but this was someone totally different. He looked happy. She turned to look at Prentiss who was also laughing at him trying to remove the finger from his lips. Luke widen his eyes and shook his head telling her no and putting it back to his lips. Forcing her hand to do the same. Matt laughed as both of them sat there looking at him with their fingers on their lips. Penelope smiled too, children.
"Me and Luke have this tradition whenever the other had good news there was a specific thing we did to celebrate." Luke looked over to Matt seriously but with a slight smile on his face. "This tradition started when we were in high school. Luke had this crush on a girl for years. Even before he knew me. But he never had the guts to ask her out. Then one day, I don't know what came over him he asked her out and she said yes. To celebrate we snuck into his dads office and drank from his whiskey bottle. We were underage and had never drank an ounce ever before. It was the most horrible thing we ever tasted. But being the competitive idiots that we were."
"Still are." Prentiss mumbled louded.
"Correction still are. Challenged each other to take shots. It didn't take long for us to get wasted. We were making such a ruckus that his Dad walked in and we were both grounded for six months and I had to spend the summer at my uncles chicken farm. Anyways, it then became a tradition that whenever we had good news we would celebrate with the same brand of whiskey." Matt slowly took out the bottle, opening it and pouring a glass for him and Luke. Luke got up walked over to stand next to Matt. Penelope and Prentiss stood at their spot. After pouring the whiskey into the second glass she set the bottle and glass on the table. Matt turned to Luke and smiled, "Dude, your brother is getting married." Matt yelled.
Luke eyes lite up from the news and pulled Matt in for a hug. Prentiss covered her mouth as a tear fell from her eye. Penelope turned to look at Luke who also was in tears. For year, Matt's parents refused to except JJ as his wife. Matt was willing to get married to JJ regardless but JJ didn't want to start her married life after breaking him away from his. Luke and Prentiss watched the struggle both of them went through. But Matts parents finally accepted. Matt and Luke pulled apart and grabbed their glass of whiskey. They both took the shot after cheering. Luke placed his glass down and pulled Matt in for another hug. Penelope watched Luke, she never seen him this emotional before. Today, she was seeing sides of him she never ever saw before. His comedic side, his foolish side, his teasing side, his brotherly side, his emotional side, his loving side.
Luke pulled away and Prentiss jumped onto Matt hugging him. Luke laughed at her and pulled her away into a hug acting as if he was trying to hold her back. "Control yourself Prentiss he is a married man now."
Prentiss joked as she leaned into Luke's hug, "No he can't do this to me."
Luke turned her head to his chest and hugged it "It's ok you always have me."
Prentiss tried to release herself from Luke, "No get lost." Prentiss struggled to get loose as Luke held on.
Penelope heart ached watching the two but ignored it as she walked over to hug Matt congratulating him. Luke and Prentiss stopped fighting when Penelope spoke. "Why don't you guys go sit in the living room and celebrate." Penelope said as she picked up the plate to tidy up.
"I'll help you." Prentiss said as she grabbed her and Matt's plate following Penelope into the kitchen.
"Thank you Prentiss but it's ok. You go sit with the guys, I'll be there soon." Penelope said as she grabbed the plates from Prentiss.
"I insist." she said and turned to leave to the dinning table before Penelope could refuse.
Matt and Luke sat in the living room drinking as their talked about the bachelor party they planned to have, sports and work. Prentiss helped Penelope tidying up in to kitchen. As they spoke, Penelope learned a lot about Prentiss. She was driven, calm, selfless and very intelligent for her profession. Penelope wanted to ask her why didn't see look for a better position but then she already knew the answer, Luke. Penelope quietly listened to Prentiss. She struggled in the beginning, jumping from one identity to another. She went from being girly, to sporty to gothic to nerdy but finally found herself. She didn't care about looking good everyday but looked the idea of beauty and fashion. She loved sports but hated playing sports. She hated science but was fascinated with space. She like goth rock as well as pop music. She was mixed bag. When asked about her love life, she hesitated, saying she was busy working she didn't get a chance to date. Penelope wanted to push her into a confession but her heart stopped her. Prentiss over all was a great person and she could see why Luke had fallen for her. They both continued to talk over tea as Penelope packed leftovers for Prentiss and Matt.
Luke stumbled over to the kitchen, "whiskey all gone. Where is wine?" Penelope looked at Luke horrified. She has now definitely seen every side of him.
Matt followed behind him. "He's mad.. I drank over him."
Penelope and Prentiss looked over to each other and knew it was time to call it a night. Penelope scold Luke to sit on the couch and not to move until she got back. Prentiss carried Matt by her shoulder towards the car they both came in. "Prentiss I really think both of you should stay we have enough room." Penelope said as she carried they stuff and leftover to the car.
"No I want go home to my fiancé, so good to hear. Fiancé. You know Prentiss my mom and dad finally agreed, I over the moon. Want wifey now." Matt said as Prentiss got him into the passenger seat.
"You heard the man, he wants his wife. He will have to deal with the repercussions of wanting his wifey so bad when tomorrow he wakes up and has to answer to her. Right Matt honey." She said as she squeezed his cheek. He lazily pushed her hand away.
Penelope laughed as she placed their things in the back. "Listen drive safe and text me when you get home. You have my number. I won't sleep until you are home."
Prentiss laughed, "You sound just like Luke." Prentiss walked over to the driver side as Penelope watched her walk away thinking, 'how many times Luke had said those words to Prentiss.' Prentiss waves bye as she gets into the driver seat and drives off.
Penelope turns around to look towards the house. She was afraid to walk in knowing one day she will have to leave. She shook off the thought and walked in.
She found Luke standing holding the music system remote in his hand skipping thru tracks. They had played her instrumental playlist, she usually had on while working, thought out the night.
"Luke let's go to bed ok." Penelope said as she tried to grab the remote from his hand.
Luke grabbed her in a hug from the side "shh" he whispered as he skipped a few more track until he found the one. He pulled Penelope in front of him and held her at her waist. He was clearly drunk. "Your favorite song." Penelope had mentioned that during dinner when it played in the background 'Whenever I closed my eyes to this sound, I feel like I am on a hilltop looking out onto a beautiful valley in front of me as cool breeze passes by.' Penelope looked up into Luke's who was looking down at her. "Dance with me." Luke said as he held her close swaying his as well as her body to the music.
Penelope gave in and placed her head against his chest hugging him. Luke laid his head on top of hers. They both swayed to the music for a few minutes before Luke slowly ran a finger down her back. "Not tonight, please." Penelope said as she loosen her grip on Luke. She thought he would stop dancing with her when she refused but he held onto her.
"Ok." He whispered as she held onto her tighter. She tighten her grip again and both just swayed left and right going in circles.
Penelope replayed the night in her mind. She wished she could bring those sides out of him. She loved it. She loosen her grip again as Luke rocked them left and right. Prentiss was good for him. She was an amazing person and beautiful too. 'Luke Alvez, I approve.' She said mentality. "Luke I think we should go to bed." Penelope said trying to move away.
Luke held on, "Just a few more minutes, please." Penelope nodded and Luke pulled her back into a hug dropping his head onto her shoulder as he nuzzled his nose against her neck.
Penelope heart squeezed in pain again. "Luke can I ask you something." Luke mumbled a 'hmmm'. Penelope waited, feeling how great the moment felt. How great the past few months had been. "It's ok it can wait." She hugged him tighter.
✦XO✦
