Page 16 of Small Town CEO Grump

“It’s only about a 15 minute walk to your hotel,” I said. “But let’s Uber.”

“Thank you,” Jenna said. “But where do you live? I hate to have you go out of your way!”

“I live down near Little Italy, but don’t worry about it. At this time of night it will only be a short ride there. I am happy to see you two back to your hotel first.”

“Well, thank you, again,” Jenna said.

“Don’t mention it. So what are your plans tomorrow? What time is your flight?”

“We fly out at six tomorrow night,” Jenna answered.

At this point Tyler yawned loudly, and I could see that he was exhausted. Our ride would be there in 10 minutes, so I motioned to a bench across the street.

“Let’s go sit,” I said.

We crossed the street and sat down, and Tyler learned up against Jenna, his eyes growing heavy.

“So your flight leaves at six. What are you doing before that?” I asked.

“We are going to head to Staten Island. There are a couple of properties there that I need to see, and we’re going to take the ferry over so we can see the Statue of Liberty. For lunch we are going to get pizza in Little Italy, and then we will get our things and head to the airport,” Jenna said.

“That sounds like a great plan,” I said. “Is the hotel letting you store your bags there for the day?”

“Yes,” Jenna said. “I was hoping they would. We packed everything in backpacks in case we had to carry them around on Sunday, but it will be nice to not have to worry about it.”

“Okay, good,” I said. “I was going to offer to let you leave your things at my place. It would have been a bit complicated since I’m flying out at seven tomorrow morning, but we could have made it work.”

“You’re leaving at seven?!” Jenna exclaimed, glancing at her watch. “It’s nearly one in the morning. You are going to be exhausted! You should have told me!”

I chuckled as I shook my head. “What do you mean? I am the one who suggested all of these activities, remember? I will be fine. No matter how tired I might be tomorrow, it’s all worth it! I have had more fun today than I have had in years. Years and years.”

Jenna smiled. “That’s good to hear! I have had a wonderful time too. And I know this guy has, too.”

I looked down at Tyler who was now sound asleep.

“He’s worn out,” I said. “But it makes sense. He has experienced so much, and with so much energy!”

“I know,” Jenna said. “He is always a bundle of energy, but he could hardly contain himself today.”

Our car pulled up and Jenna tried to wake Tyler, but he was too exhausted. Jenna leaned down to pick him up, but I lifted him up into my arms.

“Are you sure?” she asked.

“I insist,” I said.

We rode the short ride to the hotel, and when we arrived I asked the driver to wait for me while I helped them inside. I gave him an extra tip, and I knew he was happy to oblige. Once again I picked Tyler up and carried him into the lobby of the hotel.

We rode up the elevator, Jenna opened the room for me, and I carried him inside and laid him down on the bed. He hardly stirred, and Jenna mouthed a thank you to me. I nodded, and quietly left the room.

I rode back to my apartment, and I could not stop thinking about how wonderful the evening had been. I loved being around them, and I knew that I wanted to spend more time with both of them.

Chapter 6

Jenna

“I know he has to be phony.”

I stopped what I was doing and paid attention to the conversation that was taking place on the other side of the wall. I was in the file room at the office, and the two who were talking did not know I was in there.

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