"It's great to see you on dry land," Philip said.
"Yes, we really need to stop meeting like this," Eloise added with a smile on her face.
Penelope matched Eloise's smile with one of her own.
"Eloise, Phillip, I didn't expect to see you here! Are you here for the free samples?" Penelope asked.
"Free?" Phillip said, starting to get excited.
"Is it? We just spotted this new ice cream shop while walking down the street. Do we need to do anything to get the deal?" Eloise asked. Penelope was a local up-and-coming food blogger.
"Well, Karma is definitely on your side today. It's one of their soft openings, so some items are free samples. I've been eyeing the berry cheesecake concrete mixer, myself." Penelope said.
"That's wonderful! Aren't you glad I convinced you to stop in here," Phillip said, nudging Eloise with his elbow. They joined the line just behind Penelope.
"Yes, dear. You're a genius." Eloise patted his arm.
Penelope smiled at how in love they were. She wished that she had someone to take for random ice cream breaks. She had met Phillip and Eloise at Saturday Morning Jump Club. Every Saturday morning in the summer, people from around the city gathered at the waterfront to jump in. The group had grown so large it had people join in from international locations - tagging the group on Instagram as they jumped during their local Saturday morning times.
"So, can we count on the rest of the elusive Bridgerton clan to join us next Saturday?" Penelope asked.
"Ugh, my siblings keep refusing to join us. It wouldn't be so bad if they would just make up their minds. Half the time they're interested in attending, the other half they refuse to go. Just pick a side! I've even told them about the free coffee." Eloise complained.
She'd mentioned her seven other brothers and sisters. Penelope had goggled at the number the first time she heard it. She thought that the Featheringtons, a party of six, with her parents and three sisters, were large. Evidently, not. Eloise and Phillip had mentioned for the last month that her siblings were considering coming. The longer it's gone on, the more Penelope has started to joke that they don't exist.
"I still can't believe that the local coffee shop donates so much each week!" Phillip said.
"So much? We've only had it twice given how quickly it runs out." Penelope said.
"Ah, but that's a false premise. There's just an incredible amount of people so it runs out so fast. Really, they donate a ridiculous amount for little return." Phillip said.
The line had moved up quickly as they were talking. "One second, let me get my order in," Penelope said, turning away.
Phillip put his arm around Eloise and pulled her in as the worker explained the free samples. Turning to whisper in her ear to ensure Penelope wouldn't overhear, "We have to introduce her to Colin," Phillip said. "They'll either get on like a house on fire, or they'll fight like cats and dogs."
Eloise laughed. "Knowing my brother's luck, it'll somehow manage to be both." Then it was their turn, and they moved forward to order the free samples.
Penelope scoped out a few seats for them after placing her order. She waved at Eloise indicating they should join her after they placed their orders. It didn't take them long.
"Okay, Pen. You must know the inside scoop. What's the deal with this place?" Eloise asked.
Penelope launched into the background of the place and shared the owners also ran the breakfast place next door. As they ate their, admittedly substantial samples, they had a pleasant chat about their upcoming weeks. However, Eloise started talking about her siblings.
"Now you're pulling my leg. Your sister married a duke? Is that even still a thing?" Penelope asked.
"Yes, it is! I'm serious Daphne married Duke Simon Hastings." Eloise said.
"Alright, I get it your siblings are wonderful and very cool." Penelope playfully rolled her eyes. She had a less-than-ideal relationship with her family, and couldn't imagine them bragging about her to their friends the way Eloise did all the time. "I'm not fully convinced they truly exist."
"I can vouch for her. I've met everyone in person except Colin." Phillip said.
"And you're not biased at all are you?" Penelope asked.
"Nope," Phillip said.
"Of course, you'd back her up," Penelope laughed. "Which one is Colin, again?"
"The travel blogger - and just because I haven't met him in person - I know he exists. We text about plants he sees while traveling all the time." Phillip said.
"Oh really," Eloise said while lifting an eyebrow at him.
"Yup," Phillip said back teasing her.
"Hmmm - what do you mean all the time?" Eloise asked.
"Oh you know, a couple times a day," Phillip said, with a slight blush. Penelope and Eloise laughed at him.
"Okay, then, did he happen to mention that he was getting into town on Friday?" Eloise said smugly.
"What? No!" Phillip looked shocked. "I'm going to text him right now." He pulled out his phone to do just that.
Eloise and Penelope chuckled.
"My brother can miss the big picture sometimes," Eloise said to Penelope. "He's supposed to get in during the morning, but he's flying standby, so who really knows."
Penelope finished up the last few bites of her sample.
"I'm so glad I ran into you both. But I have to get back to work. I don't have enough sponsors yet to run the blog full time." Penelope said as she stood up.
"Great to see you too, Pen," Phillip said.
"We'll see you on Saturday?" Eloise asked as Penelope threw out her trash.
"Of course! See you both later." Penelope said as she left.