A gorgeous guy with a mop of coppery brown hair and eyes the most unusual whisky color she’d ever seen, came out from the back room drying his hands on a bar towel.
“This is Jesse, my fiancé,” Faye said shyly, reaching for his hand. “I’m still not used to calling him that.”
“Hi, I’m Penelope,” she said.
“I can’t wait to write in my diary tonight,” Jesse said, flashing a wide friendly smile.
“I’m sorry Griffin sprung this on you both.”
“Don’t be. We’re thrilled to have you. I feel a little embarrassed serving you a frozen pizza, but my chef doesn’t come in until five,” Faye said, flustered.
Penelope laughed. “I don’t mind. I eat frozen pizza all the time.”
“Yo!” They all turned as Faye and Griffin’s nephew Ty came in. He was lugging a keg of draft beer to switch out, bare-chested, his ripped body and tribal ink displayed in all its glory.
“Hey Ty,” Griffin said. “I’ve got someone you might like to meet.”
He loped over and stopped like he’d been hit with a stun gun. “No fucking way!”
“Ty, meet Penelope Winters.”
“Dude, this isn’t happening.”
“This is our nephew Tyler.”
Penelope took off her sunglasses and smiled into his eyes. “Wow, Ty. Have you thought about a career in film or modeling?”
He straightened and puffed out his chest a little, “That’s what my girlfriend Addison is always telling me.”
“If you’d be interested in a walk-on part with no lines, I know we need some extras. That goes for all three of you.”
“That would be sick! What about my girl?”
“Sure, it would just be a bar scene or a crowd, but it would give you a taste.”
“Hell yeah…that is if my boss will let me off.” He raised his eyebrows at Faye.
“Like I can ever say no to you.” She rolled her eyes and looked at Penelope. “He has me wrapped around his little finger.”
“That’s what aunts are for, right Ty?” Penelope said, winking at him.
He clutched his heart dramatically and took several steps back. “Is this really happening?”
“You’re a clown, you know that?” Jesse playfully pushed Ty as he walked toward the kitchen. “I’m going to make sure the pizza isn’t burnt. Get that keg switched out, Ty.”
“Can I get a selfie with you before you leave?” Tyler asked her.
“Yes. Only if you share it with me. By the way I love your ink!”
“Thanks,” he beamed.
Faye said, “Where are my manners? What would you like to drink? Griffin you want to sit outside on the deck?”
“Yes. Perfect.”
“Go on out, I’ll get your drinks.”
“I’ll have a Heineken,” his hand rested in the curve of Penelope’s back, just below her waist. “What would you like?”