“What?” Penelope said to Marcus, with a small laugh. “Why are you looking at me like that?”

After her first night back at the bar, she couldn’t stop thinking about Marcus. She wasn’t sure if she actually liked him or if she just liked the idea of a fresh start, but either way, she was excited to see him again.

So she texted Dahlia to ask for Marcus’ number the next day.

“I just can’t believe I’m actually hanging out with the legendary Penelope Roman,” said Marcus, laughing back.

Marcus and Penelope were sitting at the bar at Circe, the cocktail bar that just made a number of “top ten” lists. Marcus had suggested it and Penelope was skeptical they could get seats, but somehow Marcus had pulled some strings. Another reason to like him.

“Ok, you have to stop with that legend stuff,” Penelope said, waving him off. “You know, you’re not so bad yourself. I saw the way you flipped that shaker around like it was nothing. I’ve tried learning tricks and I just can’t get it. Maybe you can teach me sometime.”

“Oh, I see,” said Marcus, smiling at her. “This was a set up to learn my tricks.”

“No way—I told you I’d owe you a drink for helping out with Nolan—or trying to help out—and I’m a woman of my word,”

“How is Nolan?” Marcus asked, taking a sip of his martini. “Still mad at me?”

“Nah,” Penelope said, shrugging. “I think he’s annoyed at me for monopolizing his ‘one new friend,’ as he said, but he’s pretty resilient.”

“Well just because he and I are friends doesn’t mean that you and I can’t be friends too…right?” Marcus said. “Equal opportunity friendship.”

“But you secretly like me more, right?” Penelope said, leaning into him.

“I don’t think it’s a secret,” said Marcus, also leaning in.

Penelope couldn’t stop the smile twitching at the corner of her mouth. This was the first time she had been out with someone who wasn’t Jake in over a year. And not just that, but on a date.

At least, she thought it was a date. All of a sudden, she felt nervous.

“So, what else are you into when you’re not at Neon Dreams?” said Penelope, straightening up and leaning back. She didn’t want to misread the signals. He did just call her a friend, after all.

“Well the music thing I mentioned is real,” Marcus said. “I’m a trumpet player.”

“That’s so cool!” exclaimed Penelope.

“I don’t know,” said Marcus, rubbing the back of his neck. “Horn players don’t usually get as much attention as the guys with guitars.”

“Trumpets are unique,” said Penelope. “Anyone can play a guitar.”

Marcus smiled. “And you? You said you were going back to school—what for?”

“Design,” said Penelope. “Specifically, interior design. Which is why I’m hoping to use the loft as a space for my capstone…if Nolan doesn’t screw it up with his dirty t-shirts and late night jam sessions.”

“Interesting,” said Marcus, again drinking his cocktail.

“Not as interesting as a trumpet,” said Penelope, feeling self-conscious.

“No, I mean my roommate actually works at an interior design firm. Keller Company. Have you heard of them?” Marcus asked.

“Oh my God, Keller?” Penelope’s eyes grew large. “Yes, of course, they’re incredible.”

“Well I could connect you guys, if you want,” said Marcus.

“That would be incredible, thank you,” said Penelope. “I’ve been a little lost about how to get one of those dream jobs I’ve heard about.”

“No big deal,” said Marcus, starting to lean in again. “I have a feeling you’re going to be just fine, legend.”

Penelope began to lean in again too then froze—her eyes locked onto. the back of a man’s head behind Marcus. Penelope did a double take and sat upright. Same hairline, same broad shoulders. It couldn’t be Jake…could it?

“Hey,” said Marcus. “Are you ok? Did I say something wrong?”

“No, no, I…” Penelope trailed off, as the man she was watching moved towards them. It was crowded, so she couldn’t quite see his face, but she wasn’t about to take any chances.

“You know what? I think we should grab a table. Change of scenery,” Penelope said, gathering her purse.

“Oh really? I honestly kind of like it here,” Marcus said, not moving.

The man was getting closer. Penelope could see the top of his head moving, like a shark fin through water. Jake either had a secret twin, or he had actually found her. It wouldn’t have been the first time. She grabbed Marcus’ hand, and saw him smile.

“C’mon,” she said. “Adventure.”

“If you insist,” said Marcus. “But we should probably tell the bartender--”

Penelope was already on the move, pulling Marcus behind her towards the restaurant area. He was right—there really wasn’t much space. She tried to keep one eye on Jake, and one eye on Marcus. Penelope saw him turn towards them.

“Are you ok—” Marcus started to ask, but was stopped when Penelope pulled him towards her and kissed him. She didn’t want Jake to see her face, but also...it was a good excuse to see if the chemistry she was feeling was real. As Marcus kissed her back, she realized...yep.

“Excuse me,” came a voice from behind her. Shit, it really is him. Penelope turned around with dread.

The man, of course, was not Jake—just the host.

“I think you lost this earlier. Someone just turned it in,” he continued. In his hand was Penelope’s ID, which she must have dropped when she pulled it out for the vaccine check. She took it, bashfully.

“Thanks so much,” she said, taking it from him. He smiled and walked away. He looks nothing like Jake, Penelope thought. What’s wrong with me?

“So...where were we?” Marcus said, smiling.

“Second round?” Penelope said. She really did like Marcus. But inside she was feeling unsettled. Am I really ready to date again?