To-Do List:

-Pick up El's dry cleaning

-Get a hair blowout

-Mani-Pedi w/Daphne

-Get ready w/D, E, F, & H

-Wish Mrs. Bridgerton a 'Happy Birthday'

Penelope loved a good list. But more than a list, she loved crossing items off of one. Satisfied that she checked all her boxes for the day, Penelope planned to enjoy the rest of the party.

Nowhere on her list or in her plans did she include getting locked ina closet with Colin Bridgerton.

As close as Penelope is with the girls of the family (and Gregory, though that has more to do with him sharing the same age as Felicity than her), Penelope has spent little time alone with the Bridgerton boys. In fact, she would go on record as to say that she'd never been alone with Colin.

"So …" She paused. "How is, uh, your work?"

"Oh, um, it's going well." He said. It was silent again for a few moments. "And, you, er, your work?"

"It's going fine." She cringed. This was so horrible and stilted.

"That's good - did I hear El mention that you had a new boyfriend?" Colin asked.

"Um, no, Felicity does though," Penelope said. How long could they realistically be stuck making awkward conversation? Another half hour? Okay, time to roll up her sleeves (metaphorically, of course), she could get along with anyone if she tried enough.

"So, Colin, what do you like to do outside of work?" Penelope figured that she could just ask him questions and he could fill the silence.

"You don't know?" Colin asked.

Or, not. "No, that's why I asked." Penelope was confused. Did he think she had nothing better to do that sit around all day and ask about him. She barely knew the guy.

"Okay, confession time," Colin said. Ohhhh, this might get interesting.

"Uh, sure," Penelope said. "Go ahead!"

"I think this is Benedict's fault. He mentioned that you were shooting me heated looks. So he said that he had a plan."

"What? I didn't even know you were in the country much less this party until we were shoved in here."

"Yeah, I'm starting to pick up that you don't have an all-consuming crush on me," Colin said with a chuckle. "We can chalk this up to Benedict's inability to read a room. Were you shooting anyone heated looks or did Benedict just get it really wrong?"

"Benedict got it really wrong." Penelope paused. "How long do you think he'll leave us in here for?"

"He won't make me miss mom's cake. He knows that I'd kill him for less." Colin muttered the last part, but Penelope still heard it.

"Do you know when that will be?"

"I'm not sure. Hopefully, he'll free us soon." Colin sighed.

Unfortunately, no Benedict appeared in the next few minutes. The awkward silence did stick around though.

"Oh no," Colin said.

"What? Are you okay?" Penelope was cautious.

"I have to go to the bathroom," Colin admitted.

"Time to go back to yelling and banging on the door then?"

"I'm game. We should take turns to save our voices and hands. I'll go first." He moved toward the doorway and started.

They switched off every minute or so. Thankfully, it only took swapping twice before Simon walked by and heard them. He let them out quickly.

Colin didn't say anything - he just sprinted away.

"Yikes, what did you do to that poor boy?" Simon asked raising his eyebrows. Though Penelope was tempted to make up a silly story or something, she went with the truth.

"He had to go to the bathroom. Thank goodness you got there when you did!" Penelope said.

They walked toward the main party room together, chatting amiably. Honestly, it helped restore Penelope's confidence. She couldn't believe that she was unable to talk to Colin. He was supposed to be the charming and easy-to-talk-to brother.

Heading over to Benedict, Penelope lightly punched him in the arm.

"What was that for?" He said.

"Why did you lock me in a closet with Colin?" Penelope said.

"Oh yeah, that. I thought there was a spark between you two." He said.

"Well, I think you proved the opposite. We couldn't keep a conversation going to save our lives." Penelope said.

"That's so weird, from what Daphne's told me about you, the two of you seemed like a good match." Benedict scratched his head.

"Maybe not," Penelope sang as she walked away.

But now, Penelope was a little annoyed. Colin couldn't be that difficult to talk to, right? So, when he came back from the bathroom, Penelope beelined toward him.

"Round two?" Penelope asked.

"I'm sorry?"

"Okay, I don't know that my pride will let me admit that we couldn't make conversation. I'm usually very engaging - and I've heard that you're pretty charming. We can do better than whatever that was, right?" Penelope nudged his arm with her elbow. "Can we have a do-over without the closet?"

Colin smiled. "Of course, Pen? Can I call you Pen?"

"I don't mind," Penelope said.

Penelope tried a little harder and asked thoughtful questions based on what she'd heard from his sisters and what she knew of him. She expected Colin to dominate the conversation, and she could a least have a better showing than earlier. But, he surprised her. He wasn't looking for an active listener - he was looking for an active participant. Penelope caught herself sharing more about herself than she had with anyone new in years. Though, Colin wasn't really new. He was a Bridgerton.

As they continued to talk, Penelope realized that Colin was a good guy. Plus, his travels were so interesting. They ended up talking for most of the night.

"Called it," Benedict sang as he strut by passing the two of them. Colin gave him a light shove.

"Brothers are the worst," he said with a frustrated huff.

Penelope laughed. "Alright, I should probably get going. It was great to get to know you better, Colin."

"Likewise."

Penelope gave a light nod and turned away to leave the party.

"Wait," Colin reached out to touch her shoulder before she walked away. Penelope turned around again. "Would you like to continue our conversation?"

"Now?" Penelope scrunched her nose. It was past 22:00.

"How about next Friday or Saturday night instead?"

"I could do next Saturday at 19:30," Penelope replied.

"That works for me! It's a date." Colin smirked.

"See you then!" Penelope said and turned a second time to leave. Colin let her go this time. He followed her progress with his eyes. Just before she stepped into the hall out of sight, she glanced back. Seeing his eyes looking directly at her, she blushed. Turning quickly, she left.

Colin smirked. Benedict walked up to him and clapped him on the back.

"You owe me one?" Benedict asked.

"Yes, sure," Colin said.

"Who should we set up next?"

"Don't ruin it." Colin walked away.

The End