So I didn't update my stories for a few days. But next week I will make it up to you (I'm on leave, yay). Starting today, for me it's already "tonight", posting this chapter and the next one soon after. Because the next chapter will be the one we all have waited for (even me, haha).

You may be deceived if you trust too much, but you will live in torment unless you trust enough. ~Frank Crane

That was too much to bare for Penelope, so she turned around and almost ran to exit. Her eyes starting to fill with tears. How could he? How?

Penelope had no plain thought in her mind. When she reached the street before the restaurant she stopped a taxi and jumped in. She needed a friend. So she said the address to JJ.

Meanwhile in the restaurant Luke talked to the other woman and was getting nervous because Penelope was far too long gone.
"Maria, can you go look in the bathroom for Penelope? She should have been back minutes ago." Luke's voice was worried. He asked himself what could have happened. Was she sick? Was the food bad?

A minute later Maria came back and said that no one was in the Lady's room. Luke was now really worried. He excused himself from Maria and said that he needed to look for her. Maria was very understanding and got back to her own table.
Luke tried to call Penelope but she didn't pick up. He asked the receptionist if she saw Penelope, describing her and what she was wearing.

"Yes, I saw her leaving. In a rush. She came from the bathroom and was walking to the bar when she stopped and rushed outside, she looked as she would start to cry any minute."

"Thank you." Luke went outside to look for Penelope. When she was nowhere to be found he went to his car. He tried to figure out why Penelope fled like that. He reached his car, Penelope was also not here. He tried to call her again but went straight to voice mail. He then jumped into his car and drove as fast as he could to Penelope's apartment. He thought about the whole evening, they had fun, all was great. Then she went to the bathroom. What happened? When his thought reached the point where he was talking to Maria, telling her he finally won Penelope's heart, she was really happy for him, hugged and kissed him. That couldn't be it! She couldn't be that jealous, could she? Luke had no other explanation. That was the only thing what would make some sense. Some sense, not much. To get jealous because of a hug and a kiss on the cheek, that seemed nothing like Penelope. Luke was confused beyond.

After a short while he reached Penelope's apartment and ring the bell. But no answer. He went outside to see if there would be some light on, but the windows he was able to see, they were all dark.

Meanwhile Penelope reached JJ´s home. JJ was surprised to see Penelope in front of her door. She seemed totally drained.

"Penelope, what are you doing here? I thought you were out on a date with Luke? Come in." JJ led her into the living room, worried about her. Will was there also, they were watching a movie. When he saw Penelope's face he said a short hello and left the room. JJ smiled at him thankfully.

"JJ, I'm so stupid. What's gotten into me?" Penelope set on the couch, crying and shaking her head.

"Sweetie, tell me what happened, from the beginning." JJ was sitting next to Penelope, one of her arms around Penelope's shoulder.

"Oh gumdrop, we had such a great time. We went to that fancy Italian restaurant. We laughed, we had fun. We talked. Everything was perfect. I was a bit nervous, about you know, about when we leave and get home. But it was a good nervousness. I went to the bathroom, Luke was paying the bill and said he would wait at the bar for me. And then..." Penelope sobbed and cried even more then before.

JJ reached for some tissue. "What happened then?"

Penelope breathed in deeply before she continued.

"Then I came out of the bathroom and was on my way to the bar. When... When I saw Luke standing there with his back to me. He was talking to another women. A super hot and sexy women. She had wonderful black hair, and her figure, every women would envy her. He looked so happy, and the he said something to her. She smiled all over her face at him, she hugged him and kissed him." That's when Penelope started having hick-ups.

"He kissed her? Like a real kiss? That doesn't sound like Luke at all." JJ could not believe what she was hearing.

Penelope shook her head. "It.. hick... was just... hick... a kiss... hick... on the cheek... hick..."

JJ giggled a little out of relieve. "And that's why you run? Penelope, why?"

"I don't know. Hick... I have no idea what got... hick... into me. I just saw... hick... red." Penelope began to cry again, her hands hiding her face.

"You were jealous. I get that. But there was no reason there." JJ couldn't understand what got into Penelope. She was not her usually self.

"I know, JJ. I know. I already knew that on the way here. What is wrong with me?" Penelope's hand slid down her face and she grabbed JJ´s right hand.

"Oh Penelope. Nothing is wrong with you. You are in love, and I guess that triggered some bad memories and self doubts. Usually you are so self-confident." JJ tried to comfort her.

"I am, gummy bear. I am happy with myself and what I look like. It's just, I would never have thought a man like Luke would ever have an interest in me. And when I saw him with this beautiful women... I just thought that she would be a perfect fit for him, and not me." Penelope was hiding again behind her hands.

"Oh honey. Luke likes you. You know that, don't you? He was with you on a date. He went after you yesterday. He didn't go away. He wants you, and no other women." JJ rubbed Penelope's back while she was talking. "Have you spoken to Luke, sent him a message?"

"No, I didn't. I am so ashamed of my reaction. I know he likes me, I really do know that. That's why I am so ashamed. I don't know what to say to him. He will think I am a crazy, jealous and weird person. I... I don't know what to do JJ."

"Luke is probably worried beyond, looking for you, asking himself what happened. You know what? You go to the bathroom, refresh yourself. I will write Luke, tell him that you are okay, and that you both will talk tomorrow. Alright?" JJ helped Penelope up.

"Thank you, gumdrop. Really, thank you." Penelope went to the bathroom to get a hold of herself and to clear her face from the smeared mascara.

JJ already had her phone in her hand and was writing a message to Luke.

"Penelope is here with me. She is completely drained but she is okay. She is also ashamed that she ran out on you like that." JJ sent the message and also sent him her address. She knew it would be better for Penelope to have this talk right now, before she would drive herself crazy overnight.

Luke was on edge, Penelope didn't showed up at her home. He tried to reach her but no respond. He just wanted to call Emily and JJ when he got a message from JJ.

As he walked back to his car, he read what JJ wrote him. He was relieved in an instant, to know that Penelope was alright. As soon as he was in his car he drove to the address JJ sent him.

If a friend is in trouble, don't annoy him by asking if there is anything you can do. Think up something appropriate and do it. ~Edgar Watson Howe

Next chapter only need a little editing and then I post it. Hope you all still like it.