Chapter 1-Penelope POV
Penelope Featherington was early. Of course, she was.
She didn't mean to but there she was in her white corduroy and black t-shirt, waiting right outside the restaurant. Across the road.
It was the first day after that big confessional from Colin. Her longtime best friend. Longtime crush, really. It was unexpected but the moment he told her that he's in love with her, she knew that she was his. Everything that happened afterward was a whirlwind of sensation, unlike anything she had ever imagined. The way he touched her, the way he kissed her—it was as if he had stepped right out of the pages of her favourite romance novel. Yet, this wasn't fiction. This was Colin, her Colin, making her feel seen, cherished, and desired in ways she hadn't dared to dream. When they finally parted late last night, she had to resist the urge to pull him into her apartment. She needed to process it all, to make sense of the wonder that was unfolding between them.
Penelope took a deep breath in and prepared herself to cross the road. She supposed she could wait in the restaurant. Colin did message her that he made reservation for them. Just when she was about to cross the road, she felt him coming which made her turn to her right. There he was; arm raised like he was about to call on her but she, apparently, can feel him near now so, she caught his surprised face and now he's jogging towards her. Her heart pounded faster with every step he took as he jogged toward her. How does one compose themselves in the presence of someone who has been the centre of your unspoken affection for so long? First, he was the secret crush, then the cherished best friend, then the wise guide in the intricacies of dating. And last night, there he was, confessing that he had been thinking about that kiss—the one you shared when you were convinced no one else would ever want to kiss you. The weight of his words sent her mind spinning, for this was no longer the friend she had known, but the man who had been holding onto that moment as much as she had. Her worries melted away the instant he appeared before her. With a gentle but possessive grip, he slid his arm around her waist, drawing her closer. His other hand tenderly cupped her face, fingertips tracing along her skin until they rested under her chin. With a soft pull, he brought her lips to his, sealing the moment in a kiss that made the world fade away.
"Hey," Colin whispered softly when they finally broke apart. His kiss lingered on her lips, a taste of everything sweet and all she had ever longed for. Gazing into his denim-blue eyes, she knew she would have to get used to this—this closeness, this warmth. Only now did she notice the golden halo that danced around his irises, and it made her heart flutter in a way she hadn't expected.
"Hey," she replied, feeling her face warm. She wasn't used to displays of affection, or any kind of attention, for that matter. Colin pulled away slightly, but kept her close, interlacing their fingers together as he smiled down at her. She couldn't help but beam back at him.
"You're early," he teased with a playful, accusatory tone, a hint of flirtation in his voice. "I thought I'd come early to be here when you arrived, but I should have known, Pen—you're always thirty minutes ahead of schedule."
Penelope giggled, letting Colin lead them toward the restaurant. It was truly a wonder how wonderful she felt in that moment—his hand in hers, gently guiding her, as he slowed his pace to match her shorter steps. Any fear of awkwardness had vanished, replaced by a deep sense of safety around this man, whose infectious charm made everything feel right.
When they were seated, they chatted enthusiastically, like the best friends they had always been. With fingers intertwined and soft smiles, they fed each other, staring longingly, like the lovers they had now become.
"Where do you want to go after this?" Colin asked, his voice suddenly much closer than expected.
Penelope blinked, realizing he had somehow made his way to sit beside her, even though she distinctly remembered him being seated across from her when the hostess showed them to their table.
"When did you move over here?" she asked, tilting her head at him in playful suspicion.
Colin grinned. "When they brought out the ice cream," he replied smoothly, his tone teasing. "You were too charmed by my suave demeanour to notice."
Penelope laughed, shaking her head. "Oh, is that what happened?" she teased back, leaning in for a kiss. "Hmm... let's go to your place, or mine?" she whispered against his lips. "It doesn't matter."
Colin chuckled softly, meeting her lips with his own. When they finally broke apart, he murmured, "That is a splendid idea... buuuut, I was thinking maybe we could spend a little more time outside? I'd love to hold your hand, wrap my arm around your waist as we walk... You know, do boyfriend things."
Penelope smiled, her heart fluttering at the thought. "Boyfriend things, huh?" she teased, her voice soft. "I think I'd like that."
Penelope could hardly believe that this was her life. This exquisite man, with his hand intertwined with hers, was really her boyfriend—as Colin had so charmingly put it. As they strolled through the mall, window shopping together, Colin was true to his word. He alternated between holding her hand and slipping his arm around her waist. Every now and then, he would pull her close and kiss her until she was almost senseless. She had thought she'd be more reserved with public displays of affection, but when Colin kissed her, she realized she couldn't tell if anyone was watching—or if she even cared.
It dawned on Penelope that she loves public displays of affection—if they were coming from Colin. It was funny to think that she had always been averse to PDA with other boyfriends. The thought made her giggle out loud, almost in disbelief.
"What's funny?" Colin asked, curious, as they walked hand in hand in comfortable silence.
"I thought I would feel… shy? With you kissing me and everything in public," Penelope confessed, "I've always felt that way with other… men, but with you, everything is different."
"Different in a good way, I hope?" he asked, his smile wide, though Penelope caught the hint of uncertainty in his voice.
Penelope stopped, gently turning him to face her, and wrapped both of her arms around his waist, pulling him close. She looked up into his eyes, letting the moment linger as she felt the steady beat of his heart against hers.
"In the best way, Mr. Bridgerton," she whispered softly, her voice filled with affection.
Colin's gaze lingered on her, his eyes warm with affection. "I guess this would be a good time to head back to my place?" he asked, his voice low and filled with quiet excitement.
Penelope nodded, a knowing smile on her lips, and together they began to make their way, their pace quickening with every step. She didn't mind the rush—she wanted to be alone with him, too, craving the intimacy of a quiet space just for the two of them.
With one last glance shared between them, they moved forward, eager for whatever came next.
