Chapter Twenty Two
PENNY
Over the next few weeks, I slept at Spencer’s more than at Taylor’s.
He’d been working a lot lately and had a big meeting today, but I had a good plan to spoil him afterward.
Currently, I was at Taylor's place, ready to start working.
Just as I was about to sit down with my laptop, the doorbell rang.
I walked to the door, wondering if it was Spencer. Maybe he’d decided to work from home after all. Opening the door, I was surprised to see a delivery guy.
"Miss Penny?" he asked.
"Yes."
"I'm Cal. Mr. Spencer asked me to pick up something to go with your coffee."
"Oh, okay." I grabbed the bag he handed me. "Scones!"
"Yes."
"They're really good. Do you want one?”
“They looked so good that I actually bought one for myself when I was at the store."
"Good for you. Let me find my wallet."
"No, no tipping necessary, I actually work for Mr. Jake Whitley. On occasion, I do errands for the rest of the family."
"Thank you, Cal. It was nice meeting you."
"Likewise. Have a great day, miss."
After closing the door, I went and made myself yet another coffee even though I’d had enough already. I smiled as I ate a second scone and sent a message to Spencer.
Penny: I got the scones. That was thoughtful. Thank you so much.
Spencer: I wish you a great day, beautiful.
Penny: And you too.
I had a lightbulb moment after the third scone. I knew just how to spoil Ben and Spencer tonight. After finishing yet another scone, I decided to call Mom. I hadn't heard from her in a while.
She answered right away. "Hey, honey."
"How are you?" I asked her.
"I’m well. All good."
"Uh-oh, I know that voice. What's wrong?"
"Nothing, I'm just a bit flustered this morning. One of my chickens ran away.”
I couldn’t stop my laugh.
“Hey, this is serious!”
“Sorry, Mom.”
I finally sat on the couch, careful not to bother the cats. The twins were sleeping on it.
"How is it going over there?" she asked me.
"You know, the usual."
"How is your neighbor treating you?"
I told my mom I was dating Spencer, and she wouldn't shut up about him since.
"I don't want to get my hopes up," I said because it was the truth.
"Oh, honey, I'm all for being rational, but don't be too careful."
"This is strange advice coming from you. You're always overly cautious."
"Where did that get me? I'm almost dead and still alone."
"Mom." I never knew she felt lonely. She always said she didn't want a man cramping her style.
"I don't miss living with a man," she said quickly in the same stern voice I always associated with her. "I don't want to have to mother another grown man, but companionship wouldn't be bad."
I seized the moment. "That would be much easier if you weren't out in the middle of nowhere."
My mom burst out laughing. "Oh, I love you. But I have to run. Need to find that damn chicken."
"I love you too, Mom."
"Take care."
"I will."
After hanging up, I realized I had a missed call from Taylor.
She'd only reached out a few minutes ago, so with a little luck, she should pick up. I called her back right away.
"Hey, girl," she answered. She had her fabulous voice on, which meant she was with company. "Wait a second."
"I’m waiting," I said.
I heard sounds of furniture moving, probably her pushing back her chair, and then the sound of steps before she said, "Okay, now we’re alone.
Listen, two things. One, I've been chatting with this guy who builds gorgeous websites. He’s looking to hire more people on his team.
He’s fabulous, and I mentioned you, though I know you like your current job. "
“I do, but I’d like a new challenge. Taylor, you didn't have to do that."
"Of course I did. You're my best friend, and you're good at your job."
"Thanks. I love that you always have my back." In many ways, she was like my sister.
"Anyway, if that's cool by you, I could send him your resume."
"Sure."
"Then that's settled."
"And what was the other thing?"
"I'm going to return sooner. I've wrapped up everything I needed to do here, and the weather in Italy just turned to shit, so the hotel and I have agreed to postpone this to another time."
"Oh." My chest constricted. "Okay, sure. Just tell me the day, and I'll leave everything prepped for you and move back."
"Don't be silly. You can stay for as long as you want."
"Taylor, I've got my own place." I tried to sound enthusiastic. "It's high time I went back and dealt with it. I'm already thinking about how to renovate it." That was a lie.
"No, you're not."
Obviously, my friend could see right through me.
"Well, no, I haven't thought about it. But I’m starting to now.”
“Now I'm feeling guilty."
"For returning to your own home?”
“Penny, there's plenty of space for both of us. You can crash with me for as long as you want."
"Thanks for the offer, but I’ve got my place."
"You're stubborn. I'm going to let you know what day I'll be back as soon as I've made the travel arrangements." Then Taylor added, "But if you change your mind, you're more than welcome to stay, okay?"
"Sure," I said. But I wasn't going to. I didn't want to cross a line. No matter how big her house was, I couldn't just crash here with her.
"And don't forget to send me your resume."
"I'll do it right now," I said.
"Good, I'm waiting for it."
Oh, I would seriously miss this house. Even though I'd only been here a while, it already felt like home. And I did enjoy the animals; Becky had become a good friend, and the three S’s had their moments, although their litter boxes could get a bit nasty.
I opened my laptop and glanced at my resume.
I hadn't dusted it off in a while. I mostly relied on people contacting me on LinkedIn. Ten minutes later, I sent it to Taylor.
My heart felt heavy, but I wasn't going to let the situation get me down. I had a great plan for today. After work, I’d go out into the city, and in the evening, I’d spoil Spencer and Ben.
I focused on the three websites I was working on today right up until five o’clock. The second I closed the laptop, I thought about moving and how much I was going to miss Spencer.
I changed quickly, determined not to mull that over too much.
I managed to focus on happy things on my way.
Once I'd stepped inside the Prudential Center on Boylston Street, I noticed a small camera crew and a gorgeous woman who was clearly an influencer of some sort in front of Sephora.
I thought straight back to Taylor coming home.
Shit, what would this mean for me and Spencer?
We'd never really talked about what would happen when I moved out, partly because it seemed so far away, though really it wasn't. But we were both so consumed with the now that we didn't want to worry about what might come next—at least, that was true for me.
I needed to shake myself out of it. I had to move on eventually, and I couldn’t do it surrounded by the furniture my ex picked out. I had to brace myself and sell that old crap.
I had pictures of all the furniture. I took them right before coming over to Taylor's. But I'd never put them on Craigslist because that would mean traveling back and forth whenever people wanted to see the furniture or buy it, but now I had to put on my big girl pants and get the job done.
First things first, I went straight to the baby shop on the second floor. I nearly jumped up and down with excitement when I saw the sale sign on the onesie I'd been tracking for weeks.
I strolled inside, pointing toward the window of the shop. "Hi! I’d like to buy that onesie along with the rest in the set."
"Oh, you want the whole trio," the sales associate said. "Right away. But I only have the one that is on the mannequin."
"That's fine." I planned to wash them anyway.
I looked around, sighing. I swear I wanted to buy everything. Not that Ben needed anything. Spencer was spoiling him constantly, as he should. But still, all these tiny things were extremely cute.
Afterward, I went straight to the tie shop where I'd eyed something for Spencer. He didn’t need any more ties, but this one just dripped sex appeal. It was checkered with various shades of dark blue. The second I’d seen it online, I knew he had to have it.
"I'll take this one." I pointed it out to the sales associate, who immediately took a brand new one and carefully folded it. I couldn't wait to see Spencer’s expression.
"Here you go, miss," the sales associate said, handing me the bag after I paid.
Armed with gifts for the two men in my life, I decided to get a treat for myself. I didn’t feel guilty at all because I’d bought everything at amazing discounts.
I'd spotted a coffee shop in the corner. Since it was late afternoon, there weren't too many people. I bought a decaf espresso and sat down, giddily staring at the gifts. I took a picture of them for no reason at all. I wasn't going to tell Spencer. I wanted it to be a surprise.
Then, glancing at the pic, I scrolled over to the ones I'd taken of the furniture, gathering my courage.
I decided to rip off the Band-Aid. It was more annoying to make Craigslist posts from my phone, but I was determined to do it.
While sipping my coffee, I uploaded every photo.
It was all IKEA stuff, so I wasn't going to get a lot of money for it.
I was going to replace it with other IKEA items too.
But I couldn't keep living there surrounded by the stuff Wally had picked out.
He'd taken enough from me, and I refused to give him anything else, especially my peace of mind.
I couldn't remember the measurements of a dresser, so I left that one in drafts.
After downing the last mouthful of coffee, I stood, grabbing the bags of gifts.
I flashed a smile, looking up at the ceiling.
I knew it was silly, but I liked to say I was smiling at the universe, and it could send all sorts of good things my way.
And hadn't it been generous lately? I had two lovely men in my life.
Stop thinking of Ben as yours. Spencer too.
But I was in a good mood. My life was great, and it was only going to get better, even if I had to move away from Spencer and Ben.