Chapter Eighteen
SPENCER
After leaving my grandparents' house, I was more resolved than ever to move forward with my plans for the biography section.
But instead of going to the office, I decided to do something else entirely.
I shot a quick text to my assistant, telling her I wasn't coming back today but that they could reach me on the phone at any time.
The weather was excellent, and I quickly checked the forecast. It was going to stay sunny. I had an idea, but first I needed to convince Penny of it. Over the weekend, she told me she really liked the lake. I wanted to take her out on it. I hadn't been in years either.
While driving, I called my assistant. "Send me instructions of where I can rent a rowboat for the rest of the day."
"For you?" Her voice was strange.
"Yes."
She cleared her throat. "You mean a kayak? You’re trying out a new workout?"
"Something that doesn't require a license. And, no, it's not for a workout, just for leisure."
"Oh, okay." She sounded even more stunned than before. I didn't blame her. "When do you want to do this?"
"Just send me the instructions as soon as possible."
"Yes, boss. I’m on it."
If Penny didn’t have plans, I was certain I’d persuade her. I knew her work hours were flexible. I parked in front of my house. Before going to her place, I quickly went inside, intending to check on Agatha and Ben.
They were in the living room. Ben had the cutest look on his face—this kid got me every time.
"Hey, Spencer, I wasn't expecting you," she said.
"I know. I came home on a whim. How are you two doing?"
She was holding my son, and there was a bottle on the counter. It was almost empty.
"He just finished eating, and I plan to burp him for a bit, and then we’re going for our daily walk."
"I can burp him," I said and immediately took him from her.
I had no idea how it was possible, but I missed him every time I wasn't around him.
I put the cloth over my shoulder and then positioned Ben so his mouth was right over the cloth.
He squeezed my suit with his tiny fist and grabbed my neck with his other hand.
I rubbed up and down his back and walked at a rapid pace.
He enjoyed this more if I was moving quickly.
"Now, see, I've got to walk faster with him. You always get better results than I do," Agatha said. A few minutes later, Ben was done burping.
"Will you look at that, you big boy?"
Ben giggled at my antics. The noises he made were the best.
"All right, you two, we're ready for our walk," Agatha said to Ben, and I reluctantly gave him back. I checked his bag as Agatha secured him in the stroller. And then the two of them went on their way.
People always said babies were dependent on parents, but I was starting to realize that parents were just as dependent on their babies.
I went straight to Penny's, knocking on the front door.
Becky started barking, and then I heard Penny say in a hushed voice, "Becky, this is not nice.
You can't scare everyone. The poor postman already looks like he's going to pee his pants every time.
Do you want me to lock you up?" Becky didn't reply. The door swung open the next second.
Penny smiled from ear to ear. "Spencer, what are you doing here?"
"I have a proposition for you."
She smiled even wider. "A sexy one?"
“Not right now," I clarified.
"Okay, let's hear it."
"What are you doing?"
"Finishing a project."
"Any looming deadlines?"
"Why? You want to crash in?"
"No. I have a better idea. I want to take you out."
"Out where?"
"On the lake."
She tugged at her lower lip with her thumb and forefinger, blinking rapidly. "Really? Like on a cruise?"
"I have something even better in mind. A rowboat.”
“Holy shit!” She swung her hips to the left and then the right. Watching her transform with joy like this was amazing. "So, it’ll be just the two of us, and I get to watch you flash those muscles? What did I do to deserve this?"
"You're fucking adorable, as usual," I replied.
She blushed. "Spencer!"
"It's true."
"Okay, I need to get ready. Are you going to change?"
"No."
"You're wearing a dress shirt."
"That's fine. I’ll roll up my sleeves."
"You can totally do that. I mean, I was hoping you might wear something with short sleeves, but it doesn't matter."
"Just go change."
"Okay, I'll be right back."
I waited for her in the entrance area. Becky watched me suspiciously for two minutes before coming closer to my hand and nudging it with her nose.
That was when I finally started petting her.
I learned that Becky only liked interaction on her terms. As long as you waited for her to make the first move, you were golden.
Penny returned ten minutes later.
"Fuck me," I exclaimed.
She gasped. "Spencer!"
"You come to me like this and expect us to leave the house at all?"
"Yes, that's exactly what I expect. I'm wearing a dress!"
I couldn't tell why her dress had such an impact on me.
At first glance, it was simple: white, cotton, and probably lace.
Something that had holes in it anyway. It was cut above the cleavage, so it didn't show anything.
But something about it was extremely enticing.
Maybe it was how it fit her curves or the way her hair rested around her bare shoulders.
I pulled her closer and barely suppressed the instinct to push my hand up her dress. Instead, I fisted her hair. It felt even silkier than usual between my fingers. She rose on her toes, placing her lips on my Adam's apple, and I nearly lost it. I groaned, dropping my head back.
"Mm, decisions, decisions."
"What are you saying?" I muttered.
"I like driving you crazy, but I also want to go on a boat with you."
I straightened up, looking down at her. She was giddy.
I'd never seen anyone so unabashedly express their joy. After our trip to the farmers’ market, I felt like she never really got back to her normal self that day, so I was glad to see her happy again.
And if I had anything to say about it, she would stay in this perpetual state of happiness.
"Then let's go," I said.
"Oh, your voice is hoarse already. We have, like, two minutes to actually get out of the house."
I chuckled. "You know me well."
"I do my best."
When we were outside, she looked sideways at my place. "Are they okay?"
"Yes. He’d finished eating when I came. Now they’re out for a walk.”
"Where exactly are we going?" she asked once we were in the car.
"I haven't checked yet what my assistant sent me."
She gasped. "You asked your assistant to look into this?"
"Yes. They've got boats at Waltham, Ninth & Park, and Newton Historical Boathouse. Where do you want to go?"
"Um, the Historical Boathouse," she replied.
“Good. I’ll message my assistant real quick to reserve a boat there. She
thinks I'm losing my mind, going on a rowboat in the middle of the day. She asked if it was for sport, and I said it was for leisure. I would've spent good money to see her face.” I sent the message and then looked up. Penny was suspiciously quiet.
"What are you doing?" I asked her.
"I'm looking up tips for being on a boat. I'm so happy that I brought sunscreen. We're going to need it. Hats would’ve been good too. This is so exciting."
How could she be this happy about a boat ride? You would think I was taking her shopping at a department store or something. Hmm, note to self: another idea for an outing.
I parked the car in the Boathouse's parking lot. The main building was a stone construction with wood on the upper part. I noticed a store and suggested, "Let’s go in there. I’m sure you’ll find a hat.”
"And one for you too."
"Let's go in." I was noncommittal. No way in hell was I going to wear one. I'd look like a moron.
"Hello," the sales associate said. She was an elderly woman. Probably in her late seventies. Her name tag said Molly. "What can I do for you today?"
"We're looking for a hat for the lady here," I said.
"We have a very nice selection." She pointed at a wall that was full of hats. Penny inspected four before taking a huge one down.
"Perfect. I can tie it underneath my chin so the wind doesn't blow it away. How do I look?"
"Surprisingly adorable," I said, stepping closer to her.
I had an unexpected urge to kiss her senseless.
What was wrong with me? Something about the hat and the dress.
I loved seeing her like this. I didn't want anyone else seeing her.
Would someone else have the same reaction to her?
Damn. Was I really jealous of the fact that other people might see her?
"We're buying it," I said.
"I suggest you also buy one for yourself. Maybe a baseball cap."
That sounded like a good compromise.
"Sure, why not?"
"How come you said yes so quickly?" Penny asked. "You didn’t seem excited before. I was sure I’d have to work hard to convince you.”
"Watching you move around in this white dress is doing things to me," I admitted.
"Hmm, I'll remember to put it on whenever I want to talk you into something."
I leaned closer, speaking into her ear as Molly went to the back.
"Or you can take it off. That's going to be very convincing too. Even more so, actually."
She exhaled sharply, stepping away when Molly returned.
I paid for the two items quickly before we headed out.
"What's your assistant going to think about you randomly taking off in the middle of the day to leisurely go on a rowboat?"
"Oh, she's smart. She's going to put two and two together. That I’m here with a gorgeous woman."
"And you don't mind?"
I frowned, stopping in my tracks. She was busy tying the straps of the hat.
"What are you trying to do?" I asked her.
"I want to make a bow. It's more difficult than I thought."
"I'll do it for you," I said, taking over.
She swallowed hard. "So, you really wouldn't mind your assistant knowing about us?"
"No, why would I?"
"I don't know. You're you, and… Never mind."
I wanted to shout from the rooftops that I had Penny in my life. I didn’t want to hide this. But she averted her gaze, clearly not wanting to pursue the conversation further.
"Okay, let's go.”
“But put your cap on. Don't want you to get sunburn."
She took it out of the bag where the sales assistant had shoved it after cutting the tags off. She placed it on my head as if she thought there was a chance I wouldn't do it if she left it up to me. She was right.
We then headed to the boat area toward a guy who was walking around holding a sheet of paper and a pen. He looked up at me.
"Whitley, rowboat, two people?"
"Yes, exactly," I said.
"Got you down. Your assistant took care of everything. Just take the boat and bring it back in three hours. If you stay out longer, you'll pay the difference once you return."
"Sounds fair," I said.
"You've got life jackets in it. Wear them."
He looked back and forth between the two of us, clearly displeased by whatever he saw. I didn't blame him. I was certain we looked like two people who didn't plan to be on their best behavior at all.