Chapter Text
Penelope’s curled up on the three-seater faux leather couch she shares with her roommate Stella. Bundled under a fleece blanket and wooly socks sticking out from underneath. The apartment is quiet, oh so serene with Stella away for the holidays. Truly a time where Penelope gets to be herself - leave the dishes on the counter overnight, order take out nearly every day, sprawl out and fall asleep on the couch if she wishes. Indulge in small luxuries without having to worry about anyone else.
It’s the first Christmas she’s been well and truly alone.
Yes it was her choice. And yes, sometimes she does regret not taking Stella up on her offer. But a part of Penelope indulged herself in a nonsensical hope. And really, she did need some solitary time to process all that happened two weekends prior.
So when that name - that silly childhood nickname she never seemed to change - popped up on her phone screen, she couldn’t help but smile.
He was thinking of her.
Among the chatter and grandeur of his large family affairs, Colin Bridgerton was thinking of her.
Penelope knows she shouldn’t read too much into it. But she’s well into a bottle of wine and conversation-starved and... well, she’d be lying if she said she wasn’t thinking of being stuffed.