It's Only Temporary: A Dating Romance

Chapter 4: cnan't sleep (part 2)

"David?"

Penny almost didn't recognize him, dressed in a t-shirt and a pair of faded jeans. She'd never seen him without his suit and tie before. And he'd done something different with his hair, too. He usually kept it parted and slicked down, but tonight, he'd swept it straight back from his forehead. It stuck up messily on top of his head. She'd seen it that way once before—one night when she'd offered to work late to help him meet a deadline. She'd walked into his office and found him lost in concentration, absent-mindedly running his fingers through his hair as he stared at a spreadsheet on his computer. He'd smoothed it back down hastily, but she'd been tempted to tell him to leave it that way. It took a good ten years off his face. Did he know that? Had he spiked it up deliberately before he came over here tonight? Or did it look that way because he'd just rolled out of bed?

He smiled and held up a red plastic cup in salute. "Good scotch!" he said, raising his voice to be heard over the din.

"What are you doing here?"

Penny mentally slapped herself in the forehead the moment the words were out of her mouth. That came out way more unfriendly than she meant it. Her mind was reeling, completely caught off guard by his presence. David. Here. Looking like that. How was he the oldest person here by a decade and still the hottest guy in the room?

"You invited me!"

"Did I?"

"Didn't you?" He laughed and took another sip of his drink. "Well, I figured someone had to drink all this scotch."

He made a gagging face as he swallowed. She couldn't quite tell if he was faking it or not.

"No, totally!" she stammered. "Sorry. I'm just surprised to see you—but welcome! And thank you for the liquor!" She took a step toward him and reached out awkwardly to hug him. He stiffened at the contact and then swayed unsteadily against her.

"Are you drunk?" she asked as he released her.

"I'm a lightweight, remember?" He tossed back the remainder of his scotch. Then his eyes left her face and began wandering around the room, looking for something.

"Bathroom?" She gestured behind her with her thumb. He shook his head vaguely and bent close to speak directly in her ear.

"So does everyone else here live in Brooklyn?"

Penny laughed. "Probably. What did you expect?"

"Brooklyn." He closed his eyes and groaned. "I'm going to need some more scotch."

With that, he moved away from her and headed back toward the liquor. Penny followed him with her eyes as he eased his way through the crowded room. Should she play hostess and introduce him around? He didn't seem to need it. When she caught sight of him again a few moments later, he was surrounded by a group of three girls, laughing and flipping their hair at him as he mixed their drinks. No, David Powers needed no introduction. He might not be a fan of Brooklyn, but Brooklyn was a fan of him.

The party was winding down by the time he approached her again, not quite at the point where his words were slurred, but decidedly unsteady on his feet. Penny laughed as he weaved his way over and came to a stop in front of her. "Tolerance of a flea," she said, putting out a hand to steady him as he leaned toward her.

"I confess I am a wee bit intoxicated."

"Do you want to crash here?"

"No. No no. Nonono." He shook his head vigorously. "Definitely not. No."

Penny raised her eyebrows. "Are you sure?"

"There's a rule against that."

"What rule is that one?"