Page 64 of My Brother's Roommate (Frisky Business 2)
“There you are, dude.” Connor emerges from the kitchen with a craft brew in each hand, handing one bottle to me and clinking the other against it. “Thought you’d fallen into a pothole or something.”
“Nah, just running a bit late. Your sister was really taking her time with that cake of yours.”
I glance over to the couch, where Penelope is sitting with some of the girls, laughing along to whatever story Maren is telling. God, that laugh is infectious. I can’t help but smile every time I hear it. She must feel my gaze on her, because her blue eyes meet mine moments later. When she shoots me a wink, it sends my heart on overdrive. It’s still a little hard to believe that beautiful woman is all mine.
“Quit staring at her, bro.” Connor slugs me in the shoulder, nearly causing me to spill my beer all over his nice clean carpet. “Start looking at a woman like that and next thing you know, you’re moving out to the suburbs at the start of her third trimester.”
Beth and I both roll our eyes at that remark.
Part of me wants to reassure him that, despite me not having purchased a box of condoms since Penelope and I started dating, his sister takes a small white pill once a day to make sure we don’t go down that road anytime soon. But I suspect that might be a bit more information than he’d like to hear about our relationship. He may be cool with us being together, but I don’t want to press my luck.
If I’m being completely honest, Penelope carrying my baby is an idea that should scare me. I’ve never been sure I even wanted kids. But for some reason, the idea of her round and full with my baby doesn’t scare me at all. In fact, it sends a rush of heat and emotions galloping through me that I don’t have time to dissect right now.
Because across the room, a resonant clinking sound pulls everyone’s attention over to the gift table. It’s Scarlett, tapping a fork against a half-full champagne flute.
“Sorry to interrupt, everyone, but may I suggest we open presents?” She shifts her weight. “I don’t want to make it all about me, but I have to be back in the city for work by five.”
“Boo! Work!” Penelope shouts, getting a laugh from the group, Scarlett included.
“I second that,” she says with a chuckle, “but that’s the event-planner lifestyle, working weekends and all that jazz.”
“Speaking of event planners,” I say, hoisting my beer in the air. “Let’s hear it for Penelope for planning this shower.”
“To Penelope!” Connor says, raising his beer with mine. Soon, the air is filled with everyone’s drink of choice, from craft beers to cocktails, right down to Beth’s nonalcoholic seltzer.
Penelope’s cheeks turn the sweetest shade of pink as she sips her champagne, humbly accepting the praise. She deserves every bit of it for how well this baby shower turned out. None of those dreaded smell the diaper or guess the baby’s weight games. Just the warm, fuzzy feeling that can only come from the perfect combination of good friends and good food.
“So, presents?” Scarlett suggests again, motioning for everyone to take a seat.
Beth seems game with this idea, and she joins Connor in one of the two armchairs by the fireplace. We all refill our drinks and settle in, and Maren graciously sacrifices her spot on the couch so I can sit next to Penelope.
“We were just chatting about what a freaking gorgeous couple the two of you are,” Maren says as she cozies up to Hayes on the leather loveseat. “The four of us should totally go on a double date sometime soon.”
Scarlett groans, folding her arms over her chest as she sinks into the couch next to me. “Thank you so much for the painful reminder of my singleness. I’d be double-dating a double shot of vodka if I didn’t have to work in three hours.”
“Everyone knows you’re dating your job, Scar,” Maren reminds her.
“Sure, sure,” Scarlett says with an eye roll. “And Lord knows I’ll be getting plenty of action from my job tonight.”
“Would you rather have no job at all?” Penelope leans over me to wiggle her eyebrows at Scarlett. “Because I would happily trade places with you, if you want.”
“Oops, sorry. My bad.” Scarlett cringes with embarrassment, forcing a painful, apologetic smile. “Any luck on the job-search front, girl?”
Penelope shakes her head. “I’ve sent out a few résumés, but I haven’t heard back yet. Keep your fingers crossed for me. My emergency fund is getting low.”
“You wouldn’t have to worry about rent if you lived with me,” I murmur into her ear.
She just laughs and plants a quick kiss on my cheek. “Two more months on my lease,” she reminds me. “Then I’ll move in with you. I promise.”
