ZACHARY, OWEN, & PENELOPE:
“Wouldn’t call a gal with a law degree ‘lowly admin’, but I guess I’m just better at gassin’ you up than you are,” he teased, allowing Penelope’s fingers to slip comfortably between his. He didn’t dwell on the awkwardness that seemed to arise between the two, having met Zach once before and figuring it was just a part of his personality. All the more reason to bust his balls, right? “Yeah, that’s right – and you thought Erin was fuckin’ crazy, just wait.” Owen remarked, not even a moment later receiving a swift thump on the back of his head as the aunt in question passed behind them, having heard the quip about her sanity. “Ow – shit, was that fuckin’ necessary?” he called to Erin, who was already escaping to the other room with a wine glass in hand. Grimacing, he used his free hand to rub his neck. “Yeah, well, stick around long enough and Fitzpatricks start gettin’ handsy, apparently,” he mumbled. “I’m gonna grab a beer before the vultures swoop in – anyone else want one?”
“Yes because that law degree is going to such use now” she fired back, though there was no real petulance in her words, merely a sort of exasperated fondness as she glanced up at Owen momentarily before Lenny spoke. “I dunno Len, it seems he’s been holding pretty well without my help so far”. After all, he had been invited back for round two and had gotten through the first one relatively unscathed, which was no mean feat given the ferocity of the Fitzpatrick’s. No sooner had the words escaped her lips though was Owen recoiling from the sharp swipe he received from Erin, and Penelope found herself ducking her head to try and smother the snigger that had escaped involuntarily. “I think that’s level of handsy is reserved purely for you” she pointed out, meeting Lenny’s eyes with a grin. Erin was certainly the most uninhibited member of the family after all. “I’ll have a wine babe” she informed him, before her gaze settled back on Lenny and Zach. “So, did you willingly come for round two or did Lenny resort to emotional blackmail? It’s very hard to say no to those doe eyes”
“Harvard Law is certainly nothing to shirk, that’s for certain.” Zachary stated, quite unsettled he was chorusing agreement to Owen, but stranger things have happened. Zachary had always been a reserved person but he was feeling far quieter than usual, a slight huff of a laugh parting his lips as Erin stalked by to smack Owen upside the head. They got along well, the two of them, and aside from Matias and Penelope, Erin Fitzpatrick was Zachary’s closest compatriot on campus. At least the one he got up to the most mischief with, certainly. “Things will be much quieter without you.” Zach nodded towards Penelope, words serving as a direct contradiction to his earlier remarks, but far too late to reel it back in at that juncture. “Fine, thanks.” He nodded at Owen as he walked off, idle hand rested on Len’s back rubbing gently then as his gaze flicked back to Penelope. “I had a great time before. Not a single reason not to come back.” He quipped, looking to Lenore with a small smile then. “I guess you could say I looked forward to the company.” His words were quieter then, spoken solely as he looked at the red head. @lenorefitzpatrick
Lenny raised her eyebrows in surprised and laughed, “Penelope, question, how did you end up with this lovely cousin of mine? No offense Owen, I love you but seriously. Law degree? Now that’s an accomplishment.” The brunette was impressed and envious of the red head, she had beauty and brains yet she ended up with a Fitzpatrick. Nudging Zachary’s side with her elbow and cleared her throat, “I did no such thing as blackmail. If you haven’t noticed I am quite the angel around here which is probably why the family was so surprised I managed to bring someone home to face the craziness.” @owensfitzpatrick