Strictly Professional.

Penny was groggy; only bits and pieces of her memories were recognized as she blinked open her eyes. She felt grimy, like she hadn’t bathed in days. Her hair was wet and clung to her face and she was wearing just a t-shirt.
“You’re up, good.” She heard Silas say as he entered the room with a bowl of what looked to be soup.
“You need to eat, you haven’t eaten.” His voice was concerned, like he had switched the monster off. Penny tried to sit up, but only then did she realize her hands were tied to the bed post. She struggled to get free, but it was no use. She was trapped.

“Penny? You still there?” She heard Mauri say as she was pulled back to reality and out of her memory.
“Yeah, sorry.” Penny crossed her legs and let out a sigh before she went back to looking at the pictures Mauri had brought over to get her opinion.
“So, I really like the pink dress, but the smoky eye in this green number is divine.” Mauri cooed, feeling utterly excited about her booming career.
Penny’s lips were pursed as she thought, she looked amazing in all of them, but she really couldn’t choose one.
“Green. The eyes are great.” She said abruptly before handing the sheet back to her. They were seated on Mauri’s couch in downtown Dallas, Penny had been home for almost a year now. She had spoken to Lou and some of the boys, but she knew that part of her life was over.
“Okay, well I have to go babe. I gotta catch a flight to L.A. but I’ll be home soon, you gonna be okay here?” Mauri said as she stood up, gathering her items and packing them up.
“Of course, thanks for letting me crash. My parents are driving me nuts.” She said with a shake of her head, it was nearing the end of Summer and Penny had just gotten a new job at a local television network doing makeup.
“I know that the … the date that must not be named is coming up soon. Call me, I’ll be here in two hours if you need me.” Mauri pulled Penny up from the couch and gave her a tight squeeze, kissing her cheek softly. “I love you.”
“I love you too.” Penny’s eyes had been closed as she embraced her closest friend. She’d been there every step of the way for Penny’s recovery and she was still there for the emotional scarring. “Now go, I’ve got some top model to binge watch.” She would wink as she walked her to the door.
After she had gone, Penny walked back over to the couch, grabbing the remote and pressing play on the binge she already had set up. She curled up against the couch and pulled a throw over her body and was resting her head against the pillow.

Two hours later she was awoken by the ringing of her phone, she sat up and wiped her eyes before grabbing her cell and looking at the picture. She felt her heart jump into her throat. Why was Harry calling her? She slid the button and instantly regretted it, she shouldn’t have answered.
“Hello?” Her voice was soft and slow. She wasn’t sure how to speak to him.
“Penny, hi. I…” Harry began and she could immediately tell he regretted calling her too. He probably didn’t think she’d answer.
“I have um, well I am in Dallas for a couple nights and I wanted to see you, maybe get some dinner and just check on you?” He admitted, there was something she’d never heard in his voice before though, regret maybe?
“Um, yeah. Sure, I am at Mauri’s . . .” She was twisting a strand of hair mindlessly.
“Okay, how about I bring some takeout and we’ll stay in, it’s rainy out and I don’t feel like catching up and being surrounded by paps, yeah?” She could hear him fiddling around with something on his end too, he was probably shaking his fingers through his hair and swooshing it to the side as he did so often.
“Okay. I’ll text you the address… see you soon.”
“See you soon, Penny.”
Penny hung up the phone and clicked on his name. She texted him the address and then pulled her knees tight to her chest, her chin resting on her legs.
“Shit…” She didn’t want to get dressed and look like she was trying to impress him, but she didn’t want to look like shit. The last time he’d seen her she had looked like death and her bruising was long gone, her broken bone had healed, and she was slowly getting back to normal. She hopped up and made her way into the spare room she’d been occupying for the last few months. She opened her closet and pulled out a thin black sweater, a pair of gray and black joggers, and a grey t-shirt bra to put under the sweater. She pulled the ensemble on and put the bare minimum of makeup products on her face. Concealor, mascara, and clear lip balm created the effortless look she’d been aiming for. It took a very short amount of time seeing as how that is how she spends most of her days, applying makeup. She walked back out to the couch and picked up her phone. Harry had texting saying he was 20 minutes away about 10 minutes ago. She felt like he’d already gotten the food before he called because that wasn’t long enough to order, pick up, and be on your way.
Her eyes had focused on the television again, ignoring her increased pulse that was trying to tear her apart.
The knock on the door almost sent her straight out of her skin. She let out a laugh as she stood up, shaking her head. She grasped the knob and took a deep breath before twisting and opening the door.
“Hey.” He said with a soft crooked smile, his eyes staring at her with remorse.
“Hey.” Her body would move so that he could come in. He was walking toward the coffee table while Penny closed and locked the door. She walked over to join him, looking over him. He was thinner, taller, his hair was longer, and he had a lot more tattoos than she remembered. A lot could change in a year apparently.
He looked at her then, taking in the sight of her. She could feel his eyes burning into her with that relentless charm he always gave off.
“You look good.” His deep voice resonating with her as he arms seized her and pulled her into his embrace. She licked her top lip, pulling it between her teeth as she melted into him, trying not to cry from the sheer contact.
“I’m sorry.” He said and she knew what he meant. He was sorry for not being there for her, for being too hurt to see her, for all the things she caused.
“I’m sorry too.” Her fingers were gripping his back tightly, squeezing like she didn’t want to let go.
“I should have called, I should have been here.” He said as he took a step back, taking her cheeks into his hands, jade hues captivating her attention.
“I understand, I’m not mad..” She wasn’t mad, she did understand. She didn’t blame him once.
He nodded and moved his hands to adjust his hair, blinking at her.
“Let’s eat.”
She sat down beside him as they began to unload the food.
“You remembered…” She was impressed, he got her favorite. Vegetable lo-mein, cheese wontons, and spring rolls – something she had ordered often on the road with the boys.
“Of course I did. Hard to forget, you are.” He would grin as he broke his chop sticks in half and dug in.

Notes

Meant to post yesterday but my day got crazy. Anyways, this is kinda filler, hope you still enjoy. <3 thanks -- comment, rate, subscribe!!

Songs for inspo
Roses - Chainsmokers, Rozes
Stitches - Shawn Mendes
Romeo and Juliet - Dire Straits
Sweet Jane - Cowboy Junkies