Wouldn't You Like to Know?

Eight

Eight

"Colin Bridgerton!" Colin winced when he heard his mother call his name as he heard Violet shouting for him the minute he stepped into their Upper East Side. Violet came through the living room, wearing a lilac suit, and glaring at him. This wasn't good. This wasn't good at all. She had to have heard something only he couldn't imagine what because he had been laying low during his whole time in New York. He hadn't stumbled out of a bar drunk, and no one had been punched.

"Yeah, Mom?" Colin said.

"Why didn't you tell me that you were in the city? I had to find out about it from the paparazzi. And why were you leaving Penelope Featherington's home?"

Colin blinked. "What are you talking about?"

Violet shoved her cell phone into Colin's hands. He stared at a TMZ article of him leaving Penelope's brownstone. "Fuck!" he hissed. He hadn't even noticed the cameras. But they were a plague. They were everywhere. "How did they find me? They're everywhere. I fucking hate them."

"I had to hear about this from my publicist." Violet glared at him. "Why were you at Penelope's place?"

Colin handed the phone back to Violet. "Relax, mom. I didn't know that it was Penelope's. I thought I was going to Lulu Rochester's home. She's the one whose movie I bought the rights to. Penelope works for her as her assistant."

Violet put her phone back in her pocket and tilted her head to the side. "Penelope Featherington is working as Lulu Rochester's assistant?"

Colin nodded.

His mother made a face. Even after everything that had happened with Mr. Featherington, Violet had always looked at Pen like another daughter. "Yeah. I mean, she seems happy."

Violet frowned. "Didn't she want to be an author? And isn't she the same age as Eloise?"

Colin leaned in and whispered, "Whatever you're thinking, don't."

"But----"

"Mom, Penelope is fine. She is making her own life choices and she's not living in the clusterfuck of Portia Featherington's parenting. She seemed happy. A little surprised to see me, but she seemed happy."

Violet eyed him up and down. "You were visiting her by accident?"

"Yes," said Colin, "I wasn't meeting up with her on purpose. This wasn't come attempt to freak you out."

"Good," said Violet, "I'm launching the Bridgerton storefronts this year. The last thing I need is a scandal. I'm just glad that you're not in high school anymore and we don't have to worry about that damn gossip website."

"Instagram," Colin corrected.

Violet waved her hand. "Oh, I don't give a shit. Anyway, did you invite Penelope for dinner this Sunday?"

"Of course I did. I was raised by Emily Post. Not heathens."

His mom smiled. "Good. I'll make the eclairs that you both like so much for dessert. When are you two going on a date?"

Colin pulled away. "What makes you think that I am going out on a date with her?"

"Oh, come on, dear. A mother knows these types of things. You have been in love with Penelope since you were children. It took you a lot longer to realize that. Penelope knew right away."

Colin stared at his mother. "What are you talking about?"

"Oh, it was obvious to anyone with eyes. She always used to watch you whenever you were around like you were the sun or something. I thought after you two went to prom, but then Penelope got sick that night and didn't end up going."

Colin blinked. "Why do you know everything?"

"I'm your mother, it's my job to know everything. I'm also a CEO. That comes with the job. So, you're going to ask Penelope out on a date, aren't you?"

Colin shook his head. "I'm not going to go out on a date. Penelope just came back into my life. I'm still hung up on Marina. It's not the right time for me to start dating someone new."

Violet shot him a death glare. It was one he had seen on his mom many times when she was mad at him or one of his siblings for doing something ridiculous. "I swear Colin, if you hurt that girl, I won't let you hear the end of it."

Colin put his hands up defensively. "Woah! Mom, relax. I'm not going to hurt Penelope. Besides, I'm your son. Shouldn't you be the one that is worried about me and not Penelope?"

Violet scoffed. "You're the Bridgerton in this scenario. You have everything. Penelope doesn't."

"She's not exactly a babe in the woods either, Mom. Penelope is still a Featherington. Portia isn't exactly poor, and her father was the same man that was losing money. You're acting like I'm going to mess things up with her instead of the other way around."

"Isn't that what happened the last time?"

He almost told her what Eloise had told him. About Penelope and the Whistledown blast account. But his mother had been betrayed way too many times and he didn't think she could stand another one. It was something that had happened in the past. Penelope wasn't the same person that she had been in high school. Neither was he. They were both mature adults that could start again. Something he desperately wanted.

Colin smiled, and kissed his mom on the cheek instead. "We were teenagers then, mom. I was too focused on being cool. I don't mind the idea of reconnecting with Penelope. In fact, I was very happy when I saw she was on the other side of that door. But I'm going to do it on my own time, my own way, and not because my mom tells me to. Got that?"

Violet sighed. "I just think your kids would be darling. Imagine, with your eyes and her red hair?"

Colin laughed. "I'll keep that in mind, mom. Now, you got something good for me to eat?"

"I'll see what I can whip up."