Not so fake love

Part 11

"So... tonight was interesting." Colin began. He had never felt nerves like this before. And she looked so stunning. That certainly wasn't helping. The red of her dress shone against her tanned skin, her eyes were glittering in the star light. The smokiness of her eye make up made them appear wider then normal and that red lip. That red lip was more tempting than any food had been before her even the iced biscuits he would gorge himself sick on at home were nothing in comparison to those lips and he just wanted to dive into them and never come up for air. She stood in front of him the personification of everything beautiful and perfect in the world. Why had he been so stupid for years? They could have been together for so long. Lily never would have been a blink on his radar. But he had been blind only seeing her as his little sisters best friend when she was always his world. She was the one who supported his dreams to write, she had been the one to encourage him to post about his travels and share his journeys with the world. She had been the one who sat for his stories of his time over seas never not once making fun of his excitement over them. She had been the one to change him from a boy to a man. She had been the one to teach him about hard work and endurance. She had always been an ear when he was stressed out about his course work at Uni. She had been his number one cheerleader while he developed his social media. And no one else had ever made him feel what she made him feel. He didn't know how he had let her just be a friend for so long when now he couldn't imagine life without her. Together the pair walked into the bathroom and began to get ready for bed. The quiet buzz of their electric toothbrushes occupied two minutes of time. Then he watched her remove her make up as they both did their skin routines. Feeling fresher they strolled back to their cabin. The soft song of the waves against the boat walls played as they made their way to the room.

"I'm sorry about Lily." Penelope suddenly whispered softly. "You deserve someone to love you for you. Not for your second name. She was well out of order for that." He nodded.
"At least I'm rid of her for good." He smiled relief flooding through him as he realised he would never have to endure her presence again.
"I guess we can take up the single rooms now they'll be vacated." Pen said. Colin's heart sunk.
"Oh y-yeah." She looked at him and something like disappointment flashed through her eyes. Did he imagine that? He hoped he hadn't. But what if he had he needed her to stay for at least one more night.
"Yeah. We can do that but Lily hasn't actually left yet she's staying for one more night. Anthony booked her on a 7am flight tomorrow morning so she's still here for the evening. We don't want our dating to fall at the last hurdle." His heart leapt as she smiled and laughed lightly.
"Very well. You are right I agree we do not want our charade to fall at the end." She nodded in agreement. Then she paused and turned to him suddenly serious. "I never thanked you for your help with Marco. I don't know what I would have done if you hadn't been here. So truly thank you Colin. I will never be able to fully show my gratitude." He watched her lips as they formed the words. She had wiped away the red lipstick but still they called out to him. They tempted him more than anything had before. "Colin. Are you ok?" She asked suddenly concerned.
"Pen there is something I've been meaning to tell you." He began. Taking a deep breath in to calm his nerves which didn't work his heart continued to race and the sweat didn't stop flowing. Her eyes were wide in worry. That made the sky blue just hypnotise him and pull him in. He stepped forwards beginning to close the gap between them. But he had to be strict with himself. No matter how much he wanted to he couldn't just pull her into him and kiss her passionately. No. He had to do this right Pen deserved that at least. He knew his reputation. The Bridgerton play boy who only kept a woman for a few weeks. She had to know she was more than that. She had to know she was everything.
"What is it Colin?" He swallowed and began to stutter hopelessly. "Colin you are scaring me what is wrong?" She reached out to touch his face in panic. Placing her hand on his forehead to check his temperature. She was so kind and considerate. That simple movement had sent his head spinning in ways it never had before.
"Pen I... I..." The words were on the tip of his tongue. They were just about to escape into the world when a loud banging interrupted his flow.

"PENELOPE FEATHERINGTON I NEED TO TALK TO YOU URGENTLY!" Els voice shattered their tense atmosphere. Penelope jumped and muttered her apologies. Opening the door Eloise came barreling in. "Penelope it is so good to see you!" El stumbled over air and Penelope realised she had spoiled herself on the minibar. She didn't really need to talk to her.
"El! You scared me I thought something was really wrong!" Eloise laughed throwing her arms around her best friend. "Phillip and I are going skinny dipping. I wanted you to know in case I drown!" Penelope's expression scolded her.
"Don't joke about things like that El." Eloise laughed and fell from the room.
"Bye Penelope! If I die I want you to sing My Heart Will Go On at my funeral and don't let Phillip pick the food it'll be all his favourites!" She stumbled from the room before Penelope finally shut the room door.

Colin was left in angry shock. His sister had interrupted what could very well be the most important conversation of his life to talk about night time skinny dipping. He knew he was not supposed to be mad at her. Especially this week. It was her week after all but he couldn't help the fury burning in his stomach.
"Anyway what were you saying Colin?" Here it was the moment again. He had to say it quicker this time. No more stammering. No more hesitating.

"Pen. This week we've been faking a relationship but over this week I think I've fallen for you. Fallen so hard it's made my mind spin. You are everything so beautiful in my life and I just hope that when I shut up you'll say you love me too because I'm not sure I can bear a life without you. This week has shown me everything I could have and I don't want to let it go. I love you Pen. I truly do. I'm sorry about the mess up with Lily tonight but I need you to know she was never even a blip on my radar after courting you this week." He was so wrapped up in his confession he began talking like he was from the regency era. His and Pens favourite era of history. "You have always been such a light in my life I can't imagine you not a part of it. But now I can't imagine you not with me forever, you have always made my life a song of joy. And if you shut me up and tell me you could never see me that way it'll break me but I'll understand. And-" But Penelope had cut him off because she was kissing him. And whispered.

"I love you too Colin."