Not so fake love

Part 9

The game was tense and not because of the usual competitiveness. Colin spent the whole game edging away from Lily who kept trying to get close to him. Running her hands over his bare back when she'd come up behind him, backing into his chest while pretending to catch the ball. "Oh sorry Colin! You must be really turned on now." She stroked his body like a cat pawing a scratching post. He pushed her off. She rolled her eyes. "No one expects you to stay loyal to that lump." She whispered conspiratorially. He glared at her. How dare she speak about Penelope like that. Especially when Penelope was one of the nicest, most caring, most considerate people Colin had ever known and Lily was a snake who only caused people misery. "Wait till you see what I'm wearing tonight that will change your mind. Don't worry you can ditch her soon! My hair is done already as you can see so let's hope none of your siblings mess it up with this game." Colin frowned aggressively. But an idea popped into his head that would make what Lily just expressed come true. He leapt over to the side to beat the ball down the pool. As he did his body landed back in the water, causing a ginormous splash to fly into the air. It crashed over Lily and her hair became a tangle of soaked spiders legs. "Colin!" She screamed. The rest of the party all fell apart laughter echoed around them. "You're all the worst! Now I have to go start getting ready all over again!" And with that she pulled herself out the water and stomped off to get ready.
"Alright drama queen." Daphne sniggered. The Bridgerton clan all laughed merrily. Colin laughed along with everyone else but all he could think of was Penelope all alone after Lily had said the things she had. He wanted to hug her. Assure her she was the most beautiful being he'd ever laid eyes on and not to listen to idiots like Lily. Idiots like her mother and her sisters. People who had made her feel less than perfect deserved nothing less than pain. He felt his blood boil just at the thought of those people.
"You alright Colin?" Francesca asked.
"Y-yeah." He stuttered. "Just thinking is all."
"Thinking about Pen!" Benedict smirked. He wriggled his eyebrows and began to hum a romantic tune. Colin splashed him to shut him up but it was true it seemed all his thoughts revolved around her these days. It was like she'd moved into his brain and was refusing to move out. And the thing was he didn't want her too. Her constantly being on his mind was comforting. Like she never left him. "Yeah your lost in love land brother." Colin heard Benedict say breaking him out his thoughts. He probably had a stupidly love struck expression on his face too. But his family didn't question it. Did they know?
"Of course we know Colin." El laughed reading his mind. "We've known for years, you've never been good at hiding it." Colin felt his cheeks heat up.
"I don't know what you're talking about El." Eloise rolled her eyes. Seems her brother wasn't leaving denial land anytime soon.
"Sure Colin." Daphne snorted. The family all smirked at each other. They'd known Colin's and Penelope's feelings for a very long time. They knew Pen had fallen first but if the way Colin looked at her was anything to go by he had certainly fallen harder. Colin scowled at Daphne and folded his arms. Not prepared to deal with melodramatic Colin Anthony spoke through the silence, "right we best call that game! It seems only fitting that the bride wins but just know you're going down next year El!" Eloise flapped her hands in dismissal.
"Yeah alright sore loser." Anthony leaned back in mock dismay. "Anyway we better all get ready for going out for dinner later and seeing Savona. "

Pen stepped into the shower and felt the warmth relax the tension she'd locked in her shoulders. As the water fell either side of her she found herself thinking of the kiss. It had been everything she'd ever dreamed it would be. Those feelings she'd thought she'd buried were very much back in full vigour. That made this fake dating thing a whole lot harder. Now real feelings would be played with. Because he'd never like her the way she liked him. He's said as much at that ball. So why should she let herself linger on that moment. When those eyes of denim blue met hers and for a moment she'd wondered. Just maybe. Just perhaps. He liked her back. But he'd only kissed her to scare off Lily. That's all it was. She couldn't let herself dream. It would be too painful.
As she stepped out the shower, resting on the ankle that now only felt bruised, she looked over at the dress she'd laid out on their bed. (God it felt weird saying their bed.) She'd chosen a red dress that reached her knees and hugged her figure accentuating the curves she had. It highlighted her bright blonde hair which she'd left down in waves. She paired the look with a red lip the same shade as her dress and smoky eyes. She wore navy blue strappy sandals. She made sure to exit the room before Colin came back. She would have to prepare herself for seeing him in a suit at dinner tonight. Her heart may just break out of her chest at the sight of him.

Colin walked through the corridors carrying his wash bag into the bathroom where he washed out the chlorine and styled his hair. Before entering their room he'd hoped that Pen would be there so he could talk to her about everything. From Lily to their kiss and their relationship. But she was nowhere to be found so he got changed into his suit and walked out to the deck. She still wasn't there. Where was she?

"Hey handsome." Lily's voice oozed into his ear. She grabbed his hand and pulled his arms around her. He turned aggressively ready to tell her to fuck off. But as he spun around he caught sight of a goddess. There she was dressed in a red dress with lips he just wanted to dive into. He saw her gaze flick over him and he realised the position he was in and saw the light dim in her eyes. He quickly threw Lily aside. She looked over at Penelope and smirked. He breathed out a heavy sigh. Lily ruined everything!
"Right time to head to the restaurant!" Daphne called to the group. Lily tried to grab his hand again but he shoved them in his pockets and ran back to Penelope. He had to tell her.

He had to tell her how he felt.