ear. It was blonder than it had been in the past, but was still brunette. “Wait a minute, you’re hung over, aren’t you?!” She grinned mischievously and leaned toward Corbin. “I’m not giving you a headache am I?!” she said as loudly as she could without yelling.
“Sorry, no such luck.”
She leaned back again. “So, what happened? You get a night job in a taco factory?”
“No, haven’t been to bed yet.”
“
Corbin smiled.
“Come on, spill.”
Corbin shook his head.
“Come on, just between us girls.” She tapped him lightly on the shoulder.
Corbin just smirked.
“Tell me!” she commanded, as she shoved his shoulder.
Corbin chuckled.
“I’ll forget the cookie you owe me,” she offered.
“I don’t owe you a cookie,” Corbin objected.
“Yes, you do. .
“All right,” Corbin finally relented “I met this woman last night.”
“All this,” Molly said, waving one hand at Corbin’s disheveled suit and his sleepy eyes, “for a woman? Is she the first one you’ve met or something?”
“It seemed that way last night.”
This caught Molly by surprise. “Wow. Go on.”
“She’s amazing. . smart, witty. . wickedly funny. She’s one of those people who’s thought about a million things in detail and can discuss any topic intelligently. Wide range of interests.”
“Nice personality, huh?” Molly rolled her eyes.
“As a matter of fact, yes. I’ve never been so comfortable talking to anyone in my life.”
“Hoo boy, this sounds like trouble.”
“She’s beautiful too. . gorgeous green eyes.”
“Does this goddess have a name?” Molly’s question contained more than a hint of derision.
“Penny.”
“
Corbin didn’t respond.
“So where did you meet her? Sidewalk? Bank? Numismatist convention?”
Corbin ignored Molly’s continuing sarcasm. “No, she showed up at the club. We talked for about an hour and then went to Cafe Rio over in Ballston.”
“I know the place. What happened next?”
“Nothing. We stayed there until they kicked us out about 3:30. We talked a little longer outside by the patio. Then I went home.”
“You went home. .
“Yeah.”
“Talked?”
“Yeah.”
“Just talked?”
“Just talked.”
“That’s one heck of a story, but the ending needs work.”
Corbin shrugged his shoulders.
Chapter 19
Over the next couple weeks, Corbin and Penny spent most of their free time together. Not only did they meet at the club whenever Corbin played, but they often went out afterwards. They also met for lunch several times, dinner twice, and caught a concert at the Kennedy Center. When they weren’t out on the town, they spent most of their time at Corbin’s apartment. Though Penny’s apartment in Old Town was equally nice, she lived with her sister, which limited their privacy, so they tended to end up at his place. Tonight, they were wandering through Pentagon City Mall. Ostensibly, they were waiting for a movie, but the movie had long since started without them.
“Let me get this straight. You liked my dress, but you didn’t want to tell me because of what some coworker told you?”
“I know, it sounds stupid. But it was one of those random thoughts that just hit me at the wrong time. Just as I was about to say something, I had this vision, and I didn’t want to become your version of Shoe Guy.”
Penny laughed and shook her head. “I would never do that. So you liked the dress?”
“Absolutely. You were stunning.”
“I got it at my sister’s shop.” Penny’s sister owneda vintage clothing store in Fairfax, where Penny got many of her clothes. Penny let go of Corbin’s hand and spun around, causing the skirt of her white polka dot dress to twirl around her knees. “I got this one at her shop too. You like?”
“Sure do.”
They joined hands again and kissed. Penny needed to stand on tip toes to reach his lips, despite the extra few inches her shoes gave her.
“You know, you never did tell me why you brought the flower?”
“Oh, we’re back to this pink rose mirage again?” Penny teased Corbin, rolling her eyes in an exaggerated motion while pulling away from him, though not letting go of his hand. “You know, I’ve never admitted to being this mystery girl that has you so fascinated.”
Corbin laughed. “Fine, don’t tell me.”
“Isn’t it more fun trying to figure it out?” She poked him playfully in the side.
“So you admit it then?”
“I admit nothing.”
As they passed a music store, Penny stopped again. “You know what we should do? You should let me photograph you for an album cover!” Penny was a freelance photographer and a graphic design artist. She worked for four local ad agencies on commission, though any one of them gladly would have hired her full time.
“An album cover? There’s no album,” Corbin protested.
Penny grabbed the loops on Corbin’s brown corduroy pants and pulled him toward her. “There will be.” She stepped up to kiss him again. “Seriously, let’s do a photo shoot. I’ve done album work before. How do you feel about nudes?” she said as seriously as she could, but then broke into laughter.
“I’ll pass,” Corbin said, grinning with embarrassment. “But if I ever do an album, you can definitely shoot me, just not naked.”
As they continued, they came to a high-end jewelry store.
“Look at those diamonds,” Penny said, pulling Corbin toward the counter. Penny pointed to a diamond- encrusted silver necklace with a price tag in the mid-six figures. A sign said the necklace was from 1934. “They’re so pretty. I love the colors. The necklace is beautiful too.”
“Fine, I’ll buy it for you,” Corbin joked.
Penny laughed. “I had no idea you were so rich?”
“I’ve been putting my spare change into a huge jar in my kitchen. I think I just might have enough.”
“I thought maybe you were going to remind me that you’re a rich lawyer,” she teased him.
“Sure, rub it in.”
She smiled. “That’s ok, honey, I like you anyway, even if you are a lawyer.” She looked at the necklace again. “It is pretty, but I honestly wouldn’t want it. I love shooting diamonds, because they play some of the greatest tricks with the light, but they’re not my style. Now vintage clothes, that’s a completely different matter!”
