Page 66 of Falling for the CEO

"Thank you both. You've put my mind at ease. That's why I came here."

I was seeing more of Grandmother these days with Ben and our occasional dinners out, but I hadn't spoken to Grandfather in a while. Since becoming a father, I'd skipped a few of the Saturday lunches, and right now I felt guilty as hell. My grandparents weren't getting any younger.

“What’s new around here?” I asked.

My grandparents exchanged a glance.

I immediately went on high alert. "What's the matter?"

"Nothing, darling. Why would anything be wrong?" Grandmother asked.

Her voice was a bit too innocent.

My grandfather shook his head. "Jeannie, I told you it wouldn't work. Spencer knows us too well."

"Oh," Grandmother said, waving her hand. "I shouldn't have told you. You always run your mouth."

"Grandmother," I said.

She looked at me, flashing me an innocent smile. "Well, since you’re here, I was wondering if you'd like to share with us about what's going on in your life lately."

"Like you don’t know already."

She rolled her eyes. "We’re surmising but would like a confirmation."

"You want to ask about Penny and me?"

"Well, yes," Grandmother admitted.

"We’re fine, and I'm not going to give you any more details," I said, rising to my feet. They had my best interests at heart, but I preferred to keep some things to myself.

"Get out while you still have time, son," Grandfather said. "I told her not to ask."

I shook my head. "I thought you knew how to choose your battles."

"Turns out I still have a lot to learn."

"Of course I have to ask. How else will I know? You two make such a beautiful couple. I'm so glad you found her."

"Grandmother," I said carefully. "Penny and I are simply having fun. Don't make this out to be more than it is."

"I've heard that before. It all starts out this way. Your brothers—"

"I know. You've told me my brothers' stories a million times." I didn't want to be short with her, but I also didn't want her to be under the illusion that Penny and I were going to walk down the aisle to the altar. It simply wasn't going to happen. Neither of us desired that.

"This is different. I've got a son to focus on," I said as I took the cups to the kitchen with Grandmother.

"Oh, my muffins are ready," she said, opening the oven.

"Let me do this for you." I grabbed the tray with two silicone protectors and put it on top of the stove.

Gran immediately reached for one. It crumbled in her hand. “Yeah. What did I expect? I'm never listening to her again.” She turned to me and said quietly, "Spencer, I know you have a lot going on. That doesn't mean you don't deserve a chance to be happy."

I jerked my head back. "I never said that."

"No, but I know you. When things go wrong, you tend to blame yourself first."

"Because that's how I take control of my life," I explained. "If I just blame others, then it means I have no control over what happens to me."

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