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“It’s not a terrible idea,” his brother said. “Penny might go for the romantic gesture. Doesn’t sound like she’s had much dating experience, so you riding in on the white horse, declaring your love for her, would definitely make an impression and tell her just how serious you are. Especially considering the place is bound to be crawling with Morettis.”
“Me crashing her birthday party and breaking up her date with the neighbor she referred to as ‘hot,’ in front of all her friends and family, is a romantic gesture?” Gage asked skeptically.
“It is if your gift is better than his,” Conor replied with a chuckle.
Gage blew out a frustrated breath. “Remind me to never ask you three for help again.”
“Probably a wise call,” Conor said.
“So what are you going to do?” Toby asked.
Gage grinned. “I’m going to get her a birthday gift.”
* * *
“And that was how I came to the decision to move to Philadelphia,” David said at last.
Penny prayed that marked the end of the longest, most boring story she’d ever heard in her life. She decided right then and there that in the future, she was not asking out guys she’d only talked to in the elevator. Because three minutes wasn’t long enough to make an informed decision about someone’s personality, or lack thereof.
As it turned out, David was only interesting for about three sentences, after which, his voice became white noise as he droned on and on and on. To make matters worse, his favorite—and apparently only—topic was himself.
She’d been trapped in this booth with him for half an hour, and she was fairly certain she could write his biography for him, right down to when he spoke his first word and completed his potty training.
She glanced across the restaurant, trying desperately to catch someone’s—anyone’s—eye, so that she could send out some sort of signal for help.
Keeley was the first to glance her direction. And God bless her, the sharp woman honed in on Penny’s dilemma fast. She watched as Keeley walked across the room and whispered something in Luca’s ear. He shot a look Penny’s way, and she sent the same telepathic plea for help to him as well.
He and Keeley walked over to the booth.
“There’s the birthday girl,” Luca said, giving her a brotherly kiss on the cheek. “Didn’t have a chance to say hello yet. Just got here. Was tied up at the worksite.”
“That’s okay,” Penny said. “I’m just glad you made it. Luca,” she said, pointing to David, “this is my neighbor, David.”
“Nice to meet you,” Luca said, shaking hands with the man. “I was hoping I could steal Penny for a dance.”
David frowned and hesitated just long enough that Penny could tell he was annoyed by the request. If his lack of conversational skills wasn’t a big red flag, this sudden and misplaced jealousy certainly sealed the deal. “Actually, we were right in the middle of a—”
“I’d love to, Luca,” Penny said, hopping out of the booth.
“If you want to dance, Penny—” David started.
“I’ll be right back,” she lied. She intended to take her sweet-ass time. With any luck, she’d manage to keep a buffer of family and friends between her and her boring date until it was time to leave.
Luca led her to the small dance floor Keeley and Liza had created by pushing back a few tables. Gianna had put together a great playlist on Spotify, and Rafe was playing it over the restaurant’s sound system.
“Thanks,” Penny said, remembering her dance lessons from Gage. She began the appropriate bobbing in place to the fast beat, and Luca did the same. This dance had a definite Disney G-rating compared to the bump and grind she and Gage had engaged in at Enigma, but that was to be expected. Luca was a Moretti, while she was a “sister” by association.
The music was just loud enough and just fast enough to prohibit any real conversation, which suited Penny just fine. David had talked so much, she needed a damn break.
She’d tried to disappear into her head while he prattled on, but he had an annoying habit of finishing every other statement with, “You know what I mean?” and then waiting for the appropriate nod. He’d probably picked up that habit because it was the only way he could ensure people kept listening to his nonstop diatribe of mind-numbing crap.
She really wished she’d just come to the party alone, because David’s monopolizing need for attention was keeping her from hanging out with the people she really wanted to celebrate her birthday with.
Rafe stood to inherit this restaurant, Divine, and apparently some other club from his grandfather after his passing. Apparently there was an interesting story behind Rafe and his grandfather that Keeley had promised to tell Penny but hadn’t had a chance to yet.
She’d been touched that Rafe had let them use the place for her party. Of course, Penny suspected it had been easier for him to just agree after Keeley decided this was where they should celebrate. Penny had discovered Keeley was a force to be reckoned with when she had a plan.
Looking around the room, she was moved by the turnout of friends and family. Her parents were sitting at a booth with Aunt Berta, the three of them laughing and having a wonderful time as they plowed through generous helpings of meatballs.
