Convincing

Friend Fall Out

Phone call over and her text ignored, Harper felt like a b***h as her misery made her push away company.

To the point when she looked up and saw her son angry? She wasn’t even shocked because she’d yet again not done what he’d asked. Wanting to go down to the vacation home with his best friend, Harper tried to smile as she said, “But your dad’s coming over Jacobe. Don’t you want to spend time with him?”

The five year old’s serious expression and sadness made her heart hurt as he said clearly, “Non, je n'aime pas cet étranger.” Hating her son thought of Scott as a stranger and not his father, she corrected him, “He’s not a stranger sweetie. He’s your dad. And he wants to spend time with you.”

About to whine that when she went to work that Scott didn’t’ spend time with him, Jacobe couldn’t when the woman suddenly snapped frustrated, “And you need to realize that we’re not like Penelope and Mateo okay? We don’t come from money and I can’t afford to take days off. If you want to eat, I can’t anyway.”

Tears welling up in his eyes and Harper feeling guilty, she tried to take it back but her son took off into his room and closed the door hard. Guilt and self-hate coming on harder and harder, Harper was numb when Scott came around asking for money for a part to his system.

Just giving it to him so he could go away, Scott left and it was seeing him rush out the house to get in the car with people, and a girl in the back seat, she felt like an even bigger i***t.

Trying to call Penelope back but her friend not answering, Harper blinked tears away rapidly knowing she’d done it to herself. All the while Penelope looked at Romeo swimming with his Pedro.

“Hey. You mind if we’re here too?” Watching as Mateo jumped into the water off the man shook his head grinning, “No of course not, bella. How are you today?” She grinned and flirty said, “Better now.”

His wink caused to her blush even more, Penelope and Mateo swam around with Romeo and Pedro for an hour and a half before she looked at him and said, “Want to have lunch with us?”

Surprised but nodding, Romeo grinned, “Thanks.”

Ignoring Benjamin when he tried to flag her down when they got out of the water and went into the house, she closed the door hard before he could try to follow. Not needing a babysitter, she looked at Romeo as she confirmed, “Allergies?” He shook his head, “I eat everything love.”

Grinning at him, Mateo promised, “Good because mama is the best cook.” Laughing, Romeo looked her over slow, “The best?” She shrugged teasing, “I do what I can. You?” Romeo smirked and flicked his wrist in the stereotypical Italian gesture mockingly, “My ancestors, demand it remember? Art, wine, food. In that order.”

Rolling her eyes at him, Romeo’s trailed over her as she’d changed into a nice white sun dress. Tucking her hair behind her ear and then meeting his eyes, his fell to her buzzing phone and as the text went ignored, he smiled as he asked, “Am I making you ignore your boyfriend?”

Her head falling to the side as she smiled at him knowing what he was doing and letting him, she smiled as she finished up their lunch: egg rolls in a bowl. She passed one to him and asked, “Who said I had a boyfriend?”

A clear green flag to continue his looking and flirting, Romeo took it as Mateo scarfing down food, made him laugh. “Right...well good to know. We’re both...well yeah.” His discreet glance at Mateo making her smile happy he didn’t say single, she grinned as she sat with them.

Because very good to know indeed.

It was from there Penelope was less on guard with Romeo. Liking him as he made his got closer, it wasn’t easy. Penelope wasn’t easy. Moving cautious but enjoying time getting to know a man her age, they were enjoying the days as they passed and felt they were almost in a dream.

Diner and walks, Mateo and Pedro walking ahead didn’t see the adults flirting as she spoke to him Italian. Teasing him good naturedly, it was as she playfully shoved him, he caught her hand and pulled her gently closer, “Don’t push me away, bella. I might do something reckless like pull you on top of me.”

She looked at him with a raised eyebrow, “You think I’d let you?” He smirked and as Mateo and Pedro ran ahead distracted by his soccer ball, he pushed Penelope gently up against a tree, “Oh I bet I can convince you if I push you back against something.”

Penelope was staring at him, and would have been okay if he kissed her. But as he looked to where their son was running off with his dog, he called out, “Too far, come back! And be careful. Last thing we need is-.”

Mateo falling just as he was about to warn him, made Romeo act quicker than even Penelope. There and picking him up, he checked the little scrap on his chin, and arm. “Ah, well not too bad.” He ruffled the kids head, “Lets go get a popsicle?” Nodding eagerly in agreement, Mateo was content letting the huge man carry him on his shoulders. And had soon forgotten he fell.

Watching him and then Romeo, Penelope hated her blush as she tried to stop liking everything he did. But she did and he noticed and kept pleasing her because it brought her closer.

Liking that, especially when he found the gorgeous woman curled up with Pedro sleeping under a tree more by his property than hers.

But a swing not too far and his son laying on it as he went back and forth slow and got a nice breeze, he had a book on his chest like a little old man and was leaning back enjoying a nap too.

Letting the two sleep, Penelope woke up first and felt a little embarrassed seeing Romeo coming over with waters and food. But she welcomed the kindness and Mateo seemed to like him. Switching between French and Italian, and both understanding each language, Romeo was impressed, “I still find it amazing you have three languages under your belt already.”

The kid shook his head grinning as he proudly boasted, “Four. I speak German too."

Surprised even more now, Penelope shook her head, “I speak four, French, English, Russian and Italian. But my son is out speaking me, I did not know that many by his age. It’s embarrassing.”

Laughing as the kid explained he had German nanny who had spoken German and had taught him. Finding that impressive, Romeo found the little boy was highly intelligent for a five-year-old.

Watching and Pedro play together, Penelope glanced over at the stranger and asked casually, “So what do you do Romeo?”

He grinned and said casually, “My godfather owned a vineyard here in Bordeaux. He left it to me and while I probably didn’t need to relocate here, I am. So I’m taking over and getting settled in. The vineyard home he left me is being remodeled, but he also left me his vacation house. So, I thought I’d come here and get my feet under me after all that travel.”

Penelope looked at him discreetly, “Where are you from?” Romeo grinned a little, “My family is all through Italy, but my parents raised me in Norcia. Until I was eighteen anyway. I went to Scilly for college.” Looking at him and finding him hard to read, the way he looked at her made her nervous. Like he had plans for her.

Not sure she wanted to be apart of said plans, she looked away and smiled seeing Mateo and Pedro playing. “You’re beautiful with him.” Surprised at the compliment, and yet feeling warmed by the acknowledgment, Penelope staring at him like she didn’t know what to say, made him admit, “It reminds me and my own mother. Me and her are close, because my dad wasn’t around much growing up and after they divorced, he was just gone.”

Penelope looked at him sadly, “I’m sorry to hear that.” He shrugged a little, “It was for the best maybe. He’s happy and she’s moved on and is happier and her new husband makes sure she wants for nothing. So, there’s worse situations I suppose.”

He gently changed the subject wondering, “Do you two want a change of scenery for a couple hours?” Finding herself agreeing, and in the front seat of his vintage Fiat that had no roof or doors, Romeo surprised being lighthearted and fun.

On the beach and making a huge sandcastle with Mateo, she was taking pictures when she got a text.

“Hey auntie P. I miss you.”

Sad seeing Jacobe had texted her earlier and she’d just gotten it, she called Harper. “Hey Harp, how are you?” Harper coughed a little, “Fine, I’m fine.” Not sure that fine was real, Penelope exhaled, “Um, Jacobe texted me and I was wondering if you and him wanted to come down for the weekend? We can shop and eat and sleep in. Go swimming or something.”

Harper looked at her son ready to go and said, “He, ugh, we would but Scott is going to take us out tonight and tomorrow so-.” Jacobe groaning and stormed off, making her angry and embarrassed, Harper closed her eyes as he slammed his door.

“Harper...” Not wanting to hear it, Harper snapped, “I don’t need your pity princess perfect, just trapeze around on a beach like the rich b***h you are and leave me alone.”

Hanging up and hurting Penelope’s feelings, who lowered her phone angry and disappointed, she sat under an umbrella and was surprised when Romeo came from the concession. Giving her a drink and some food, they sat in silence watching Pedro and Mateo play fetch in the water.