A Typical Love Story

Chapter Eleven: Make a Move

“What time will you be back?” Cesc asked staring at Penelope as she finished getting ready for her date with Zack, he was a little disappointed that she was still going on the date that Aisha had set her up on.

Cesc had hoped that since the date had been pushed back that it wouldn’t happen but he had been shocked when Aisha had phoned to confirm that Zack was going to be picking Penelope that night.

“About ten… eleven at the latest,” Penelope said smiling at Cesc, she didn’t know what was going on with him but since Daniella had visited things had been a little strange between them.

Penelope was sure that Cesc’s ex-fiancée was up to her old tricks and causing Cesc trouble but he refused to tell her what Daniella had said to him.

Cesc frowned and crossed his arms, he felt a pang of jealously while she slipped on her black patent strappy sandals that went with her red crepe dress for her date.

“Are you sure that you’re okay?” Penelope asked looking at Cesc, she watched him for a moment before she got to her feet and moved to collect her black cutwork clutch bag; she made sure that she had everything so that she was ready for when Zack arrived.

Cesc nodded his head, he hadn’t said anything to her about what Daniella had told him and he wasn’t sure how to react now that he knew; he feared losing Penelope as his best friend.

“Any plans for tonight?” Penelope asked holding her clutch, she felt a little bad about going on this date but Aisha was determined that she go out with Zack and forget about Cesc.

Aisha was sure that Cesc would never see Penelope as more than a friend, she wanted her friend to see sense and cut the footballer out of her life.

“Not much… a couple of the guys are coming around,” Cesc said with a shrug, he peeked at the clock knowing that they would be arriving soon and that Penelope would have left for her date by then.

Penelope smiled, she was glad that Cesc was making an effort with his new team-mates, she knew it wasn’t easy for him and she was hopeful that this would lead to good things.

***

“So you and Penelope…” Diego said sipping on his drink, he leaned back on the couch and stared at Cesc; he wanted to know all about the two friends and he was sure that there was something going on.

Cesc peeked at his friend, he felt a wave of jealously run through him; he wondered why Diego was suddenly interested in Penelope, he didn’t want his friend anywhere near her.

“You like her don’t you,” Diego teased with a cheeky smile, he had been watching the older man while at training and ever since he had met Penelope, it was clear that Cesc really liked her.

Cesc stared at Diego, he opened his mouth to deny what he was being told; he was Penelope’s best friend and that was all that he would ever be.

“Come on Cesc… admit it, I’ve seen the way that you look at her,” Diego said watching his friend, he had never seen Cesc look at anyone like he looked at the brunette; he just hoped that Cesc wasn’t going to waste his time.

Diego couldn’t help playing match-maker, he could see that they were in love with one another and he couldn’t resist giving the two a push in the right direction.

“It doesn’t matter… I’m her best friend and it has to stay that way,” Cesc said looking down at his drink, he didn’t deserve anyone like Penelope when he had so much baggage; he had been left at the altar and had a little girl to think about.

Diego rolled his eyes, he couldn’t believe how stubborn Cesc was about all of this; he could see why it was so hard for Cesc to accept that he was in love with Penelope.

“Stop being an idiot… she loves you too, ask anyone who knows her,” Diego said making Cesc pause, he turned to look at Diego realising that his former fiancée wasn’t the only one who could see Penelope was in love with him.

“You knew about that?” Cesc asked wondering who else had realised that Penelope was in love with him before he had even noticed; he felt a little disappointed that he hadn’t seen any of this himself.

Diego chuckled and nodded his head, he didn’t know how anyone could have missed the smiles and looks that Penelope gave Cesc; she was in love with him and there was no doubt about that.

“So who told you?” Diego asked knowing that none of their team-mates, had seen how Cesc acted around Penelope; he was curious about who might have finally made Cesc see the truth.

Cesc looked away moving to look at his hands, he still had a tattoo on his arm for Daniella; something that he was going to have to sort out sooner or later.

“Daniella did when she came to see Lia,” Cesc said quietly, he didn’t have to look at Diego to know that the man was staring at him with pity in his eyes.

Diego sighed and set down his drink, he had a feeling that Daniella wasn’t going to make things easy for Cesc; she had walked out on him and seemed to be used to getting what she wanted.

“I think you should take the chance… Penny, isn’t going to do this for you Cesc and if you don’t take this step then you’ll regret it for the rest of your life,” Diego said smiling at his friend, Cesc deserved to be happy and Diego was sure that he would one day regret it if he didn’t take a chance to act on his feelings and let Penelope slip through his fingers.

***

Penelope sighed in relief as she stepped into her house, her date had been far from pleasant and she had no idea why Aisha had set her up with Zach.

Penelope guessed that it had something to do with the fact that in her mind she kept comparing him to Cesc; it was the reason that she hadn’t had a serious boyfriend since Dylan.

Walking into the living room, Penelope put down her cutwork clutch bag and ran her fingers through her hair; she had a feeling that she was going to die old and alone at this rate.

“How was your date?” Cesc asked stepping into the room, he had waited up for Penelope to make sure that she had got home okay; he hadn’t been able to forget about what Diego had said to him.

Penelope blinked surprised to see Cesc, she hadn’t been expecting him to still be awake; he had training the next day and she was sure that Mourinho wouldn’t like him falling asleep during training.

“It was okay…” Penelope said simply, she didn’t think that Cesc would be interesting in hearing more about it; she wouldn’t be seeing Zack again unless Aisha did something about it.

Cesc nodded his head, he chewed on his lip knowing that she looked beautiful in her dress; he felt jealous that Zach had taken Penelope out to dinner.

“How was your night in?” Penelope asked brushing some hair from her face, she wasn’t sure what it was but there was something odd about Cesc and it made her curious.

“It was okay… we talked,” Cesc said with a nervous smile, he swallowed knowing that Diego was right; he couldn’t go on like this and if he wanted something to happen then he needed to be the one to make the first move.

Penelope had been waiting for years for him to do something and now was the moment that he showed her how he felt.

“Talked about what?” Penelope asked curiously, Cesc took a deep breath before he took her hand and pulled her into a kiss.