Touch (Posie)

Chapter 6

Penelope honestly had no idea how the dinner was going to go as dysfunctional and tension riddled as it was but things weren't that bad. For example the location of (Lizzie's) choice was some semi fancy resturant and Josie in a tight red dress? Definitely worth having to frantically search through her clothes for something semi dressy. When Penelope arrived Alaric was talking to one of the hostess about getting a bigger table while the other four stood outside in small chatter until Caroline paused Lizzie's animated conversation who frowned when she realized where her mothers attention was at. Penelope ignored Gavin's doofy smile her way, the way Josie's eyes lingered on her, Lizzie storming inside and smiled into Caroline's brief embrace as the woman made a motion to the door. " Let's eat".

The waitress ended up finding a table for six and Lizzie called dibs sitting in between Alaric and Caroline which left Penelope sitting on Josie's left and Gavin on her right. Caroline and Lizzie made most of the tables conversation which was mostly questions about what Caroline was up to on her trip and Caroline vaguely explaining something before Lizzie was asking about clothes and other things typical to her interests. Alaric chipped in every so often but mostly to question Gavin who looked extremely nervous under his gaze and Penelope wanted to laugh.

Caroline was the one he should've been worried about. Her smile was warm and inviting but she was just as serious when it came to her daughters happiness and Penelope knew that first hand. She watched as Caroline shot a small smile Gavin's way asking quick shot questions and only nodding when he said something she liked. " I almost forgot to tell you how beautiful you looked honey" her eyes were now on Josie who smiled bashfully and Caroline continued. " Don't you think?".

" Yes she does" Gavin's deep voice rung out and Penelope watched Josie lean into Gavin for a moment, Lizzie's satisfied smirk like she was winning a game no one was playing but then Caroline's eyes shot over to Penelope. " What do you think?"
" Mom!" Josie spoke though clenched teeth but Caroline batted her eyes head titling slightly with innocent features taking over. " It's just a question honey".

The tension was thick. Alaric looked completely oblivious to what was going on along with Gavin, Caroline simply smiled as she waited for a response, and Josie tensed up beside her. Now Penelope could've said yes just like Gavin but Lizzie was glaring daggers and Josie was looking at her with slight apprehension and honestly Penelope felt like saying at least one truthful thing since the night started. Turning to face Josie she could see her ex's warning gaze silently testing her, telling her not to say anything crazy. Penelope's lips curved up into a small smile. " I think she looks absolutely stunning".

There was a small flicker of surprise in Josie's eyes the redness on her cheeks and Penelope watched as she fought the soft emotions threatening  to break out. For a moment Josie was looking at Penelope the same way she used to whenever she'd get complimented at random, where she'd smile and try to hide it, back when she looked at Penelope with something other than annoyance, like she was doing now. The small moment passed and Josie all but breathed out a short thanks before facing Caroline and Penelope caught the glimpse of an approving smile.

The rest of dinner Lizzie made subtle jabs Penelope's way and did her best at painting Gavin as the best thing ever and Penelope all but fought the urge to roll her eyes wherever Josie played into the act, going as far to rest a hand on him and then glance Penelope's way. See the thing about it all was Penelope reveled in the back and forth between them, that semblance of control and the moment Penelope felt like she was loosing, she had to find that control again.

Josie was in the middle of some conversation about Gavin's game when Penelope placed a hand on her knee. At the contact Josie faltered slightly on her sentence but started back up like nothing happened. She let Josie talk some more before her hand slowly slid up to her thigh watching as Josie tried to maintain some kind of control of the situation. It was cute really and Penelope knew she shouldn't have but seeing Josie fumble over her words, the way her breathing was picking up and the feel of her skin beneath her fingers? She wasn't exactly regretting it either. Really Josie could have moved her hand away if she wanted to and it was the fact that she didn't that made Penelope smile. Because she didn't want to.

Her finger drew small circles as they slowly moved up and then Penelope heard Josie suck in a sharp breath cutting off her sentence and Penelope's hand was cut short of four more motions to where she wanted them to be by Josie. Penelope grinned slowly taking her hand away as Josie went back to talking while Penelope all but ignored Lizzie's gaze.

After dinner Alaric went to get the car while Caroline headed to bathroom and Penelope stood outside watching the passing cars as an attempt to ignore Josie and Gavin half a block down and enjoy the peace and quiet. " I know what you're doing". Well trying. Penelope let out a tired sigh pushing off the brick wall to turn and see Lizzie standing with crossed arms.
" What?"
" Don't play dumb Satan I know your trying to get Josie back"
"  Tch yeah okay"
" Just do us a favor and stay away from her". At the comment Penelope scoffed, eyes narrowing " You mean do you a favor".
" You broke her heart. Don't act like you forgot"
" I haven't" Penelope bit out through clenched teeth.

The last thing she needed was Lizzie telling her what she already knew. Really she was confused as to why they were even having this conversation, she was full from dinner and the only thing she really wanted to think about was her bed.
" I don't what kind of demonic hold you have on her but she's happy now".
" With....Gavin? Yeah okay". Lizzie rolled her eyes making a motion to Josie who was currently in a hug with Gavin.
" She's moving on, so why don't you do the same". Penelope was silent as she watched the scene and the tightness in her chest was back.

A part of her wanted to say that Lizzie's presence disturbed her stomach but it was that same feeling from earlier when she saw the two of them and maybe Lizzie was right. A small part of Penelope had been clinging to this hope that Josie would step out that shadow and they could find their way back but it was clear she was content with still being second to Lizzie and simply found someone who wouldn't mind and for the first time since school started.

Penelope was ready to let go.