“Ahh. I’m sure that made you popular with your neighbours.” She’d never been a blusher, something she was glad for as the image of him naked and tanning himself would certainly have brought a flush to her cheeks. As it was, her overactive imagination supplied the rest as fingers remembered the heat and warmth of how he felt under explorative touches.
Was that what he thought? Penny looked up from lowered lashes, mouth turned down slightly at his confession before shaking her head, dark hair spiralling in different directions as it began curling in the heat. “Don’t feel sorry for yourself Clint. There’s lots here for you; family, friends, opportunities.” People who cared about him - people like her. Wiggling, squirming his way into her affections under the guise of friendship until she’d looked forward to the fleeting visits from Spain and wasn’t sure how to process his being back in her country for good.
It would be strange to bump into him around the magical world.
“Bo- both.” Speaking louder now over the crowd and slightly smoky atmosphere that was the reason her voice stuttered even as her eyes dipped down to watch the play of his skin against hers. A lighter golden colour against her own residual paleness, the same golden flecks which made his eyes fascinating. “One of the European offices sent over some research from the archives that looks like its going to come in handy with a side project.” When the server came, tea towel tucked into the loop of his jeans, Penny offered an easy grin as she placed her order for a bacon sandwich and an oversized pot of tea. She didn’t make a move to pull her hand away. Not just yet.
“I ah- I’ve been asked to present a paper at the next symposium.” When they were alone, Penny confessed her good news and this time there was no hiding her pleasant surprise and pride at having been asked. “What about you? What are your plans now you’re back home?” Sliding her hand free of his touch to claim the wooden table as sanctuary.