Chapter Eight
PENNY
"I’m glad we’re neighbors, Spencer." I clinked my glass to his. I wasn't even sure how to flirt. I hadn't been around anyone except Wally for years. "What were you doing this evening?"
"I went out with Grandmother for dinner."
"That's so nice. Where did you go?"
"Don't even ask. Wasn't my best choice. I took her to a Michelin restaurant, and they didn't serve anything she actually liked. We ended up at a burger drive-through."
I could feel my eyes bulging. I tried to mask my expression by taking a swig. Down-to-earth wasn't a word that would come to mind if anyone asked me to describe the Whitley family. And a burger place was as basic as you got.
"Everything good?" he asked.
"Yeah, just surprised. I didn’t think you’d eat at drive-throughs."
“Occasionally, we do. My grandmother isn't one for Michelin food, but I thought I'd surprise her. Lesson learned."
"Trying out new things can be good. Jeannie mentioned something about your brothers. How many do you have?"
"Four."
"That’s cool."
"And three half brothers."
"Half brothers,” I murmured, more to myself than to him, trying to work out what that meant. If one of his parents had children from a previous relationship, they would be stepbrothers. That meant—
“My father had another family," he said, as if reading my mind.
"Oh my God.” And I thought my dad was a douche bag. I instantly felt a kinship with Spencer.
"I'm on good terms with my half brothers. We meet regularly."
"They live in Boston too?"
"Yes. They moved here around college time."
I couldn’t help myself from asking questions. I felt an inexplicable need to know more about him.
"And they're also involved in Whitley Industries?"
"Yeah. The company is huge. Jake is running the advertising company. Colton is in charge of the biotech company. Cade took over the coffee branch, and Gabe the distillery. Maddox has a company that focuses on arranging office spaces. Nick has fitness clubs. And Leo manages Whitley Real Estate.” He looked at me intently. "Let’s get back to you.”
“Okay.” I couldn’t figure out if he really was interested in me or just wanted to change the subject. I shifted in my seat.
“How is it living at your friend's house?"
"So amazing that I'm having second thoughts about moving out at all," I said before taking yet another swig.
"Starting over is working out for you, then?"
I shrugged. "I'm not exactly starting over, just doing the same thing, like always, only in a different house. I’ve been thinking of maybe applying to jobs abroad though. I've never been anywhere except Boston and Arizona."
"That's where you grew up?"
"Yeah. My mom still lives there. I visit from time to time but couldn’t see myself moving back there."
"And your father?"
"He and my mom broke up when I was a kid. He never was around, so we don’t have a relationship at all."
"Sorry about that."
"My mom's all I need. She's happy I'm staying at Taylor's for now. Especially because I keep spamming her with pictures of the cats and Becky. She’s always been a cat person, but I can tell she really wants a dog now. I’ll get her a puppy for her birthday."
I took another swig of wine. I was talking a bit too much tonight.
"By the way, did Jeannie drop by at all? She seemed serious about coming to see Becky.”
"No, she hasn't been visiting. But I’ll remind her." He flashed one of those smiles again. And now I was tipsy enough to call him out on it.
"Okay, stop that."
"What?" he asked.
"Whenever I bring up your grandmother, you have this smile… like you're laughing at a private joke."
He let out a guffaw. I liked relaxed Spencer. And after half a glass of wine, I was surprised that I was relaxed too. Or was it one and a half glasses?
“Fine, I’ll tell you. But prepare to be shocked.”
“She's a grandmother. I doubt anything can surprise me that much.”
“Picture this. Grandmother has got it in her mind that you and I should get together."
I nearly dropped my glass. “Wait, huh?”
“I told you that you’d be shocked.”
I crossed and uncrossed my legs under the table. Then I felt his knee against my thigh. How on earth had I managed that? I instantly shifted farther back on the chair, feeling all sorts of flutters in my stomach.
"My grandmother thinks she's the family's matchmaker."
“A match…”
“Maker,” he finished.
"I'm confused. What does she mean by that?"
"Let's just say she's had a hand in my second-oldest brother getting engaged and my twin brother too."
I licked my lips, taking another sip of wine. Oh dear Lord, this conversation definitely needed wine. "So, she's not only a matchmaker, but she's a successful one.”
“That's right. I explained to her that I'm in no position to even think about dating. But she can’t seem to wrap her mind around that. All I want to do right now is give Ben the best."
That went straight to my heart. As someone who grew up without a dad, this was precious.
"I don't even know what to say. She didn't strike me as very obvious. When we spoke, she didn’t even mention you or Ben."
He wiggled his eyebrows. "That was part of her strategy. Apparently, she didn’t because she thought that telling you about Ben myself is a hell of a meet-cute." Spencer finger quoted the last part, and I fell into a fit of laughter.
"Holy shit. Is your grandmother a writer or something?"
"No, but she was a theater actress. She had a different stage name. Said she didn't want to attract attention from the wrong crowd. She does tend to… lean into her theatrical side."
"Wow. I don't even want to know what else she's got in mind," I murmured. I felt a bit hot and a lot overwhelmed. How was I supposed to react to this?
"I have no clue, but I'm sure she'll let me in on that soon."
I swallowed hard, looking at my glass of wine.
"I need a bit of water," I said and rose from my chair and wobbled. In a fraction of a second, Spencer came to me. "Hmm, okay… I drank the wine too fast.”
“But you only had two glasses.”
“I'm a lightweight,” I confirmed. He touched my lower back with one hand and my neck with the other one. All I wanted was for him to touch me everywhere else. I learned another thing about myself tonight. A glass of good wine will relax me. Two made me feisty.
"It's best if I go home," I said.
"Are you sure? I’ll get you water."
"No, I'll drink some at home."
He leaned into me slightly. "I like spending time with you, Penny."
I licked my lips. "I like you!" I gasped.
"I mean, I like spending time with you too.
Obviously, that also means I like you." My cheeks heated up.
My pulse pounded in my ears. I bit my lower lip, closing my eyes.
"I'm sorry, I'm very flustered." I only opened my eyes when I heard him chuckle.
God, he was so close. I loved his smell.
I loved how manly he felt and the way his hands steadied me.
"I have a confession to make. I like you too, Penny. A lot." He looked down at my mouth.
I opened it slightly, and then he kissed me.
I'd never been kissed like this in my entire life.
My body hummed as Spencer sank his fingers into my hair.
I was consumed by him: the rhythmic exploration of his tongue and the way his chest rose and fell against mine.
The hand on my back slid just a bit lower.
He pressed his fingers right into my tailbone, as if he could barely keep himself from sliding them in my pants.
I groaned, needing more. But all it did was break the spell.
Spencer exhaled sharply, letting go of me. He stepped back.
"Penny," he said.
My stomach sank. He'd only said one word, but it sounded a lot like he was about to tell me he regretted this.
"You don't have to say anything," I replied.
"But I want to because I'm not a jackass. I realize I'm sending mixed signals. The fact of the matter is, I like you so fucking much."
My entire body pulsed.
"But right now, I'm not in a position to date."
I nodded. "I know. You said that. And that's fine. That's more than fine. I'm a mess. The last thing on my mind is going out with someone. But I really should go home.”
"Sure. I’ll walk you to the front door.”
"No, I'll just get back over the wall."
"I'll help you." When we reached the property line, he asked, "Want me to lift you up?"
"Sure."
We were close enough to kiss again when he took my hands, putting them on his shoulders. I only made eye contact for a split second before looking away.
"Ready? Go!"
He put his hands on my waist, lifting me up. His touch set me on fire. I really needed to get away from him, at least until the effect of the wine was gone.
Once he put me down, I simply sat there for a few seconds, and then Spencer pushed himself up too.
"What are you doing?" I asked as he sat next to me.
"Helping you get inside."
"But I can… Yeah, I'm not going to pretend that I can get up on my own. I can barely do it when I'm sober."
Since Taylor’s house was higher on the hill than Spencer’s, there was a considerable height difference between the yards.
Laughing, he stood, giving me both his hands. I grabbed them, holding on to him tightly as he lifted me to my feet. We walked to the glass door in silence.
His eyes were full of intent when we reached it.
"This was a great evening, Penny."
"It was. Thank you for the wine."
"Thank you for the company and the kiss." He pressed his mouth to my cheek and then took a big step back.
I smiled, getting inside the house and closing the glass door.
I waved at him as he walked backward and then jumped down effortlessly.
He bowed his head slightly just before moving out of my sight.
I turned around, smiling from ear to ear.
Well, that had been the best kiss ever. It was worth any awkwardness that might come after it.
Becky ran straight at me, barking.
"You'd like to go for another walk, huh? Sorry to disappoint, girl. I've had too much wine for that. I'd only end up injuring myself. Then again, maybe my sexy neighbor will take care of me again." She barked louder, looking straight at me.
"You like him too, don't you? So do I."