Chapter 7

It was girls night at Penny's apartment and Bernadette and Linda just arrived. They had to reschedule their previous 'girls night' as Bernadette had to finish up some of her school papers for her doctorate thesis. Linda arrived with two bottles of red wine and Bernadette brought some chips and crackers.

They were talking about the usual stuff at the restaurant and the other staff there. Bernadette told them about her doctorate and other stuff at school. Linda on the other hand shared with them her story about their creepy neighbor and their loud dogs. It was a 'normal' girls night.

"So Penny...how's Leonard?" Bernadette suddenly said.

Penny almost spit out her wine as she didn't expect them to ask about Leonard.

"How should I know?..." she protested.

"Oh come on Penny...we saw you blush the other day when you talked about him non-stop. Please tell us more!" Linda pleaded her.

"I told you everything already! He helped me get to my audition and brought me back when I was done." she said. "We talked a little in his car on the way and that's it really!"

"Tell us about his daughter. Please!" Bernadette teased her.

"Well Sarah is a total sweetheart...well behaved and we both love pizza bagels and pretzels!" she smiled.

"Hmmm..looks like you get along with her well huh?" Linda added.

"Obviously, Leonard raised her well for her to be a total sweetheart. Leonard's a great father really, and he's very protective of her." Penny replied.

"So did you exchanged phone numbers?" Linda goaded her.

"Yeah." Penny took a drink from her wine glass.

"Oh my god Penny you should see your face now. You're blushing again!" Bernadette giggled. "Did he texted you yet?"

Penny looked at both Linda and Bernadette. She didn't reply.

"Oh my god! Show us your phone now!" Linda snatched her phone from the couch while Bernadette tried to restrain her. Penny couldn't help but surrender. "What's your phone's code Penny? Come on... please unlock your phone now!"

Penny gave in and unlocked her phone. Bernadette went over to Linda to look.

Bernadette and Linda read through the text conversation between Penny and Leonard with delight. They screamed and giggled as they finished reading the text exchange.

"Oh my god Penny, you have a huge crush on this guy! And the way he responds, it seems he feels the same way huh!?" Bernadette hugged a throw pillow. "I'm so excited for you Penny!"

"I'm just being a nice friend to them that's all...besides...his daughter is his priority and I'm not gonna get in the middle of it." Penny continued. "And...he doesn't seem to be interested in me."

"Are you kidding me!? He called you beautiful and he practically said he would want to hang out with you!" Linda added. "and the heart emojis! Come on Penny?" Linda raised her eyebrows on her.

Penny slumped back on the couch. "Ugh...what am I gonna do?"

"Well you said you are gonna take them out to lunch right?" Bernadette said. "That will be your first date!"

"But it's not a date! It's just lunch. Or dinner!" Penny said "I don't know." she covered her face with her hands.

Linda sat beside Penny and put her arm around her shoulder. "Look Penny...you've been single for over a year now. Maybe this is a good sign for you? You were not looking for each other and yet, you found one another…"

"You know what's weird?...while we were driving me to my audition, he told me to relax and everything will fall into place…" Penny said.

"So?" Bernadette asked.

"Bernie...that's what my psychic told me a week before my audition!" she paused. "It's like…" she was lost for words.

The girls continued to chat and share stories up until twelve. Bernadette took the couch while Penny and Linda dragged the mattress to the living room for them to sleep on. Penny tuned off the lights and they all turned in. The wine helped the two sleep easily. Penny was lying on one side of the mattress. She could not help but think about tonight. She hoped that in the coming days, her head would be clearer.