Chapter Twenty Four
SPENCER
"Congratulations. Man, why didn't you tell us before?" Gabe said.
"I was waiting to sign the contracts before breaking the news," I explained. My brother had stopped by my office today to check on the ads we were going to run in our publications for Whitley Distillery & Bar. I signed the papers yesterday, so it was as good a time as any to share the news.
"That's cool," he said, leaning back in his chair. "When are you celebrating?"
"I haven't made plans yet," I confessed. I had been so consumed by drawing up the deal and everything else going on that I hadn’t had time to think about it.
He stood up straighter. "I can organize it for you."
I laughed. "I’d actually appreciate it."
"Would you want the whole family too, then?"
"Yeah, sure."
“Including our half brothers?"
"Obviously. You know I get along well with them."
He shrugged. "Yeah, but in our family, it never hurts to ask." He snapped his fingers as if he’d had a genius idea. "Man, you know what? Why don't we have the celebration at the same time? For the bar and the acquisition?"
"I'm listening."
"I'm inviting the whole family too. You can also ask some of your employees to come. We do have a lot of space."
I considered this. "I don't want to steal your thunder."
He waved his hand. "I don't mind sharing the spotlight. Besides, I’ll be the star of the evening, anyway."
"You would. Opening the bar is a great achievement."
"So, I'm the first to find out about this acquisition, huh?"
I didn't say anything.
He narrowed his eyes. "I'm not. Who did you tell, and how come it didn't get back to me?"
"Penny is the only one who knows."
"Wait a second. Penny…" His eyes widened. "Your neighbor?"
"Yeah," I confirmed.
"You still have something going on with her?"
"Yes. We’re dating."
"I thought it was a fling."
I cleared my throat. My jaw clenched. "Things can change."
"Oh, for fuck's sake. All right. I need you to tell me exactly how this happened. With details."
"Why?" I asked, completely confused.
"So I can avoid the same happening to me."
"Gabe, relax."
"The third brother falling in less than a year. I'm starting to get worried. Is it your age? Do you feel old?"
“No." What the hell kind of question was that?
"This conversation needs whiskey or vodka—something."
"I want Penny to feel comfortable at the party. Think you can behave in front of her?"
"Man, you know I'd never be anything but polite."
"Not just polite. Friendly."
"There are going to be nine Whitleys waiting to talk to her. Safe to say, it's going to be an interesting evening for her. I'm surprised she even wants to come.”
I hadn't asked her yet, mainly because I hadn't had any actual plans, but there was no way she’d say no. I just had to find the right time to tell her.
I disliked the fact that she had moved out of Taylor's home. I saw her far less often since that happened. It took more coordination, and because of Ben, I couldn’t be very flexible.
More often than not, she was the one who ended up coming to my place.
The result was that she just spent a lot of time driving back and forth. I wished she'd just move in with me.
"All right," he said, standing up. "Thanks a lot for all the ad space. I'm going to return the favor somehow."
"No, you won't," I said. "Actually, you know what? You already are. You're throwing the party."
He rolled his eyes. "Oh yeah, that's going to make up for the tens of thousands in ads.”
“That's not up for a discussion."
"I'll find a way to pay you back."
After he left, I thought about Penny again. What if she didn't want to join me at the party? After all, she'd flat-out refused to move in with me. But that had been something completely different.
I made a split-second decision. I was taking Penny out tonight. She was supposed to come to my place, but I wanted something different.
First, I called Agatha, asking her if she could stay longer, and she assured me it was no problem.
Grandmother was hinting more and more that she wanted to take Ben for an overnight.
She’d stopped by a few afternoons during the week to be with her great-grandson and seemed to be doing fine.
I'd asked Agatha for a full report just to make sure Grandmother seemed capable of an overnighter with Ben.
She said that Grandmother would have no problem.
Maybe one of these days, I would let her take Ben overnight, but on the condition that Agatha spent the night there too.
I called Penny right away.
"Hey!" she answered.
"What are you doing?" I asked her.
"Selling more furniture."
“Do you have anyone coming over tonight?”
“No, but a couple is supposed to stop by this afternoon.”
“Good. I’d like to take you out this evening.”
“Where?” she inquired.
“Why don’t you choose the location?”
“Oh, that sounds like fun.”
“I want it to be just the two of us.”
"But I don't mind being at the house with Ben."
“Damn, woman. You’re too adorable.”
“No, I mean it.”
“I know. But tonight, it’ll be just you and me. When do you want me to pick you up?” I asked.
“Does six work?”
“Yes.”
“Hmmm… you sound a bit suspicious, but I can’t tell why.”
“See? You can find out tonight.”
“Oh, you bet I will.”
I was going to convince her to come to the party. It was past time that my woman met the family.
PENNY
"Thank you so much. We love it. It's just what we are looking for," the petite blonde said, looking lovingly at her husband.
"She's been stalking IKEA for months, but they're all sold out."
"Happy I could help you," I said just before they entered the elevator.
I closed the door, leaning against it and drawing in a deep breath.
They loved the TV console. One man's trash was another man's treasure.
I was glad it would make them happy, and I was ecstatic that I'd managed to get rid of it.
In the three weeks since I'd put the furniture online, I already managed to sell most of it.
I hadn't yet started to order anything new, though, because I didn't want it to arrive before I'd managed to get rid of bigger pieces like the dresser.
The result was that the condo looked empty.
The walls seemed to close in on me, not just because of the memories, but because it was so damn small.
After living in Taylor's mansion, it felt claustrophobic.
This whole condo could fit into her master bedroom.
I went to the living room, lit one of my favorite candles—pine scented—and looked at it with a smile. Wally hated candles so much. But now there was no one to tell me what I could and couldn't do. It was glorious.
My phone beeped with an incoming message while I was checking on the muffins in the oven. I had a fun idea for my outing with Spencer. I wanted us to go on a picnic. I’d already made some sandwiches, and now I was trying my hand at baking.
Taylor: Check your inbox. You’ve got news.
Frowning, I wondered why she didn't just tell me the news.
But I opened the email app on my phone, nonetheless.
It was titled "Job offer." Her contact had already come through!
That was amazing, especially considering we hadn't even had an interview. I’d expected them to at least reach out for a one-on-one.
Dear Penny,
Taylor spoke wonderfully of you, and we love your portfolio. So, this might be a little unorthodox, but we'd like to have you on our team as soon as possible. Attached is the offer. We can meet via Zoom to discuss it at your earliest convenience.
Holy shit, was this real? I couldn't believe that something worked out so effortlessly for once.
I immediately opened the attachment, and my eyes bulged when I saw the salary.
But then my stomach dropped because the job was London based.
Had Taylor shared this with me, and I'd completely forgotten it? I knew the company was based in London, but I’d figured the job itself would be remote.
The job description said that remote work was possible… twice a week.
Taylor knew I wanted a change of scenery, so I could totally see why she thought this would be a good fit.
But I felt like someone had just pulled a rug from underneath my feet.
Just a few months ago, I would have probably said yes without even a second thought.
But right now, I couldn't muster any sort of enthusiasm.
I didn't want to leave at all, and it was because of Spencer and Ben.
Oh, Penny, why did you have to go ahead and fall head over heels for Spencer? Have you learned nothing from your past mistakes? I shook my head. This was not even remotely the same thing. Spencer and Wally couldn't be more different.
My mind was spinning.
Taylor immediately messaged me.
Taylor: What do you think? A little bird told me it's good news.
I called my friend right away.
"Hey, girl," I said.
"You don't sound very enthusiastic."
"No, I am. An offer is always great news."
"I’m so happy for you!" she screeched.
I held the phone further from my ear, fighting the urge to massage it before putting it back to my ear.
"So, are you going to accept it?"
"We have to schedule a call first."
"That sounds a lot like a no."
"I'm supposed to move to London for this."
"Yes. That's why I recommended you. You said you wanted to start fresh."
I sighed. "I know."
"Uh-oh, what is it?"
"Well, I mean…"
"You still want to start fresh, don't you?"
"But not on another continent."
Taylor groaned. "It's the hot neighbor, isn't it?"
"Yes," I said with a chuckle because now he was her neighbor, not mine.
"Penny, I love you, but you didn’t meet Spencer too long ago. Are you sure that you should base such a huge decision around your relationship?”
I frowned, feeling a bit pissed off. "I know you want the best for me, but this is something I get to decide by myself."
"Of course it is. Sorry. It’s none of my business."
"I appreciate the opportunity."
"At least think about it," she said.
"Of course I'm considering it. But my heart is telling me that I shouldn't move right now."
"And you always follow your heart, huh?"
"Yes. It’s led me astray, but that's who I am."
"What are you doing this evening?"
"Spencer and I are going out. And speaking of which, I should start getting ready."
"You just want to get rid of me."
That was true. I was a bit pissed about her reaction. But I also did have to dress up and so on.
"I have to wash my hair."
"All right. Want to send me pictures with outfits?"
I grinned. She was waving a white flag. "Oh yeah, I definitely need your opinion."
After taking out the muffins and letting them cool on the counter, I washed my hair. Then I put on two masks, one which was supposed to make my hair extra shiny. While I was waiting for the hair mask to work its wonders, I also applied one to my face.
I washed my face first, then after taking off the hair mask and drying my hair, I inspected myself carefully in the mirror. That treatment was a good investment. My hair was shinier than ever. Then I went back to the bedroom and tried on four dresses, sending pictures to Taylor.
It was just a picnic, but I still wanted to look good.
I decided on a summery bright dress.
Taylor: Ha, I remember the green one. It's got my vote.
Penny: It’s my favorite too.
Taylor: Sorry for coming on so strong earlier. I love you. You know that, right?
Penny: I do.
I sighed, looking at myself in the mirror. Should I pay more attention to Taylor's warning? Following my heart had gotten me into trouble before.
Being in the condo wasn't good for me. It triggered me in a way that few other things did. It was solid proof of my failed marriage.
That’s no way to think, Penny. You’re going out with a gorgeous man who cares about you. You’re healing. You no longer feel like you have a stone wall around your heart. And you got a good job offer—even though you don’t want it. Amazing things are happening to you.
And even greater ones were in store—I was sure of it.