Playing at Forever (15 page)

“But this is the best room in the house—really, you can take it.  I insist.” 

“I don’t know…”  Penny bit her lip.  She really didn’t want to take Tommy’s room. 

“I insist.  I’ll just sleep across the hall.  It’s not like we’ll be here for long anyway.”  They weren’t even staying a full week, so he had a point.  She had told Tommy they could stay as long as he’d like, but he had insisted it didn’t need to be a long trip. 

“If you’re sure,”
  Penny
sighed, laying back on the bed.  “I can’t believe all of this is yours.” 

“Sometimes I can’t either.”  She rolled on to her side and propped herself up on her elbow. 

“So what’s on the agenda for today?” 

“What would you like to be on the agenda?” 

“You mean we have the day to ourselves?”  Penny sat up excitedly.  She had thought this trip was going to be nothing but
business
—for both of them.  On the flight in, Graham had given them both a very detailed itinerary.  Tommy had nothing to look forward to but meetings and interviews for the next few days—except, of course, for his evenings, which would be spent out on the town with Penny on his arm. 

Graham had told her to be prepared for a couple of busy days of her own as well, though he didn’t tell her what they would be spent doing. 

“All to ourselves.”

“Well then, I know
exactly
how I want to spend it.” 

Of course she chose to spend the first few hours in her bikini.  Of course she did.

Tommy was beginning to think that Penny was sent to this earth for the sole purpose of making his life a living hell.

Well, when she wasn’t too busy making him happier than he had ever been. 

Tommy was becoming a walking contradiction.

He hated the way she tackled him into the pool, tumbling in with him.

But he also loved the way her eyes lit up as she did so, as if it was possibly one of the happiest moments in her life.

He hated the way her body had developed over the years, how she’d grown into her curves.

But he absolutely loved watching her run around the edge of the pool, squealing as he chased after her. 

Most of all, though, he hated the way she smiled at him—not just with her lips, but with her entire being. 

But he couldn’t get enough of it either. 

What he needed was some time away from her, he told himself.  He needed to go out for an evening, pick up some girl, and make himself forget all about Penelope Lang.  He’d done it before, hadn’t he?

But even as he thought it, he knew it sounded like it was about the least appealing thing he could imagine. 

“Can we watch a movie?”  She asked him as she towel-dried her hair.  When she flipped her head upright, he wanted to pinch her pink little cheeks. 

Ugh, pinch her cheeks?

That was
so
not the kind of guy he was.  Tommy Davidson was a ladies man.  He wined and dined with the best of them.  He wasn’t playful.  He was seductive. 

Unless it was with Penny.
  She had always been the exception, hadn’t she? 

“We can do whatever you’d like, pretty lady.  The day is yours to do with me whatever you like.” 

“
Whatever
I like?”  She questioned, her tone tinted with suggestion.  Tommy raised an eyebrow.

“Well that depends.  We can’t be breaking any rules, can we?  I gave my word to a girl I
kinda
owe it to.” 

“Well, I guess I can’t do anything then, can I?”  She smiled at him from over her shoulder as she tossed her towel aside and disappeared into the house.  Tommy remained outside for a moment, clenching his jaw. 

Maybe he was going to have to have a little talk with her about her behavior. 

He wasn’t sure how much longer he would be able to control himself if this kept up. 

He imagined that conversation. 
“Penny, I’m going to need you to stop being so goddamn cute. 
And sexy.
 
And intelligent, too.
  Oh, and please never wear a bikini ever again.  At least while I’m around.  No, wait, make that ever.  And while we’re on the subject, let’s add sexy red dresses and adorable sweaters.  Maybe you just shouldn’t wear anything at all.  Wait—
no
—that is a bad idea.  How do you feel about
muumuu’s
?” 
 

Yeah, that was definitely a conversation he was going to have with her. 

He made his way into the house to find her wearing one of his t-shirts as she thumbed through his vast film collection. 

“You know, you probably have more movies here than my dad had at his store.”  He didn’t notice the banana until she took a bite.

Well, maybe he’d save it for
after
the movie, he thought. 

Yes, after the movie.  That was a good idea. 

“Are you hungry?”  She questioned. 
Starving
.

“I…could eat.” 

“I already checked the cupboards.  You don’t have any food.”  Tommy shrugged, trying to focus here. 

“Well, I guess we’ll have to order in then, won’t we?”  Penny smiled happily as Tommy disappeared into the kitchen to retrieve his extensive menu selection. 
“How about Chinese?
  This place has some of the most amazing—”

“Stop right there and just dial the number.  This is about experience for me.  I’m ready for just about anything.”  She leaned in very close. 
“Within reason, of course.”

“Penny Lane, you might very well be the death of me,”
  he
couldn’t stop himself from saying the words.  And of course, Penny just giggled.

It wasn’t until a couple hours later, after the movie, after they’d eaten, that Penny hurried into the room from the kitchen and jumped onto the couch, lying down in his lap.  “I feel like I’m in a fairytale, Tommy. 
My own personal fairytale.”

“You haven’t even seen anything yet,”
  he
told her, tangling his fingers in her hair. 

“I can’t imagine it getting any better than this, though.”  She rolled on to her side, using his leg as a pillow as she used the remote to turn the lights down and start the next movie. 

And it was in that moment that Tommy realized he felt exactly the same way.

She woke to find herself on Tommy’s couch.  It wasn’t like any couch she had slept on before, though, because she woke up feeling wide awake and refreshed—not at all stiff or sore.  “What a lot of good it did me, giving up my room for you,”
  Tommy’s
tone was sarcastic as Penny opened her eyes and looked up at him.  “Good morning.”

“You should have woken me!”  She sat up quickly, looking around the room.  “You’re already dressed?”

“And showered, aren’t you proud?”  Penny frowned.  She hadn’t meant to fall asleep last night.  She couldn’t even remember what had been going on in the movie. 

“How long was I sleeping?”  Tommy glanced at his watch.  “About ten hours.” 

“Ten hours?”  Penny jumped up, realizing she still wore Tommy’s t-shirt, and under that, her bathing suit.  “Well that just wasn’t supposed to happen.”  Tommy laughed.

“It’s a vacation, Pen.  Relax a little bit.” 

“Actually, don’t relax.  Not today.  Today, you’ve got appointments.”  It was Graham’s voice.  Penny turned around to find the man coming down the hallway behind her. 

“What kind of appointments?”  Penny asked. 

“I’m curious about that myself.”  Tommy added, crossing his arms. 

“Nothing too strenuous.
  I just scheduled some time at the spa. 
Maybe a little shopping afterward.”
  Graham turned to Penny.  “Don’t
worry,
it’s all on Tom’s tab.”

“I don’t need Tommy to pay—”

“No,
it’s
okay, Penny.  I want you to be able to enjoy yourself a little while you’re here.”

“But Tommy—”

“It’s all about experience, isn’t it?”  Penny glared at him.  How dare he turn her own words against
her.
  That wasn’t fair. 

“Don’t
worry,
you two little lovebirds will be reunited tonight.  You’re having dinner at The Ivy tonight. 
Reservations for nine sharp.”
  Graham offered a cocky grin.  “Now, you run off and see what you can do with yourself and
you
, come with me,”
  he
pointed to Tommy.  “A driver will be by to pick you up in about thirty minutes, Penelope.”

“Oh wow,”
  she
only had time to offer Graham a dirty look before he ushered Tommy off and she had to hurry upstairs to shower. 

She finished with almost no time to spare, having taken a few minutes to decide what to wear.  She had no idea what people in L.A. wore to spas.  Finally, she just settled on a pair of shorts and a plain tank top.  She’d seen people in Hollywood wearing shorts and tank tops before, hadn’t she?

Of course she had, she told herself as she climbed into the back of the car.  The driver didn’t speak to her at all and so she sat quietly in the back, taking it all in.  The paparazzi still waited outside Tommy’s house, as if they had taken up permanent residency there.  Part of her almost felt bad for them.  What kind of a life did that leave them with, spending all their time chasing after someone else’s? 

Traffic was much worse here than it was at home and the majority of the trip was spent amidst a sea of angry drivers. 

In fact, that was how she spent a greater majority of the day, she thought. 

Graham had her sent to a spa first, where she had muscles massaged that she hadn’t even been aware she’d had.  She had been moisturized to and fro, and treated to an all-natural breakfast consisting mostly of fruits and granola. 

The shopping had been a little bit more than she’d bargained for.  Graham had even gone so far as to provide her with her own personal shopper—a chipper gay man named Diego, who was much more straightforward than Penny was used to.

She hadn’t expected to go shopping on Rodeo Drive. 

The shops had nearly overwhelmed her as she walked along the sidewalk, trailing behind Diego.  He knew exactly what he was looking for, not even stopping to ask for her opinion.  It was fortunate for her she had done this several times with Amy—Amy found the clothes, made Penny try them on, and offered her opinion before Penny even had a chance to speak hers. 

It was the price tags that held her up the most.  Finally, Diego had to put his foot down.  “Sweetheart, you are new in town.  You’re going to see and be seen by some of the most famous people in the
world
.  Your boyfriend is treating you to a shopping spree. 
Take advantage
.  This opportunity may not present itself again.” 

Penny had comforted herself with the thought that, whatever she didn’t wear, she was going to return.  Just so Tommy could get his money back. 

She hadn’t realized just how much Diego had bought for her until she was settled back into the car, bags surrounding her.  She had no idea what she’d even acquired. 

When the car stopped in front of a very swank looking salon, Penny suddenly grew very nervous.  Graham had mentioned the spa and the shopping, but he had said nothing about a salon.  She almost contemplated not going inside, but after a few deep breaths, she had convinced herself to go through with it.  If she could spend the afternoon shopping on Rodeo Drive, she could handle a salon.

 “Um, hi,”
  she
spoke as she approached the counter.  “I should have an appointment?”

“Your name?”

“Penelope Lang.”  The girl checked her list on the computer screen before smiling brightly at Penny. 

“Well, you’re in for a treat.  We’ve been ordered to give you the full treatment.”

“What, exactly, is that?”

“Hair, nails, makeup.
  You name it, you’re getting it done.”  Penny’s smile faltered for a moment.  What was she getting herself into?  “Follow me.  I’ll take you back to Jane.” 

Penny followed the
girl,
trying not to notice the faces of the people she passed by.  She was certain at least a few of them were on her wall back home. 

“Well, hello!”  She was young—at least a few years younger than Penny.  “I’m Jane.”  She seemed friendly enough, Penny thought.  “You must be Penelope.”

“Penny is fine.”

“Well, Penny, what did you have in mind?” 

“Um, well…”  Penny sighed, holding her hands up in the air.  “I’ll be honest.  I’m really not very good at any of this stuff.  I didn’t even make this appointment.  My…”  She paused, almost calling him her friend.  “My boyfriend’s manager made this appointment for me.  Apparently, he thinks I need to be more L.A.” 

“And where are you from originally?”

“North Carolina.”  Jane laughed, nodding her head.

“Definitely
not
L.A.”
  The girl studied Penny for a few minutes.  “How do you feel about maintenance?”

“The lower the better.”

“My kind of girl,”
  Jane
grinned.  “Well, I’m thinking maybe take a little bit of the length off, bring in a little bang, and add in a few natural-looking highlights.  If you feel like
glamming
it up a bit, I can show you a few techniques—but otherwise, it’ll be exactly what you have right now.  Sound like a plan?” 

Everything the girl said sounded oddly foreign to her, but Penny nodded, agreeing anyway.  It was about experience, right?  She was going to take advantage of every opportunity she came across. 

“If it makes any difference, we’re eating at The Ivy tonight.”

“The Ivy?”
  Penny nodded.  “Sweetie, that makes a whole world of difference.”  Jane smiled happily.  “Do you know what you’re going to wear?” 

“I haven’t the slightest clue.” 

“Oh, sweetie, we’re going to have so much fun together.” 

Penny was suddenly
very
worried. 

It wasn’t until she found herself standing in the master bathroom, staring at her reflection in the
mirror, that
she discovered she had nothing at all to worry about. 

She wore a pink dress—more form fitting than her last had been, and much shorter, with a pair of darker pink high heels.  The girls at the salon had been very helpful when it came to putting her together—they handled everything, giving Penny pointers for future reference.  Her hair had been tied up in some fancy up-do that she could never recreate, but she enjoyed it nonetheless.