Page 25 of Falling for the CEO

"Yeah, just surprised. I didn’t think you’d eat at drive-throughs."

“Occasionally, we do. My grandmother isn't one for Michelin food, but I thought I'd surprise her. Lesson learned."

"Trying out new things can be good. Jeannie mentioned something about your brothers. How many do you have?"

"Four."

"That’s cool."

"And three half brothers."

"Half brothers,” I murmured, more to myself than to him, trying to work out what that meant. If one of his parents had children from a previous relationship, they would be stepbrothers. That meant—

“My father had another family," he said, as if reading my mind.

"Oh my God.” And I thought my dad was a douche bag. I instantly felt a kinship with Spencer.

"I'm on good terms with my half brothers. We meet regularly."

"They live in Boston too?"

"Yes. They moved here around college time."

I couldn’t help myself from asking questions. I felt an inexplicable need to know more about him.

"And they're also involved in Whitley Industries?"

"Yeah. The company is huge. Jake is running the advertising company. Colton is in charge of the biotech company. Cade took over the coffee branch, and Gabe the distillery. Maddox has a company that focuses on arranging office spaces. Nick has fitness clubs. And Leo manages Whitley Real Estate.” He looked at me intently. "Let’s get back to you.”

“Okay.” I couldn’t figure out if he really was interested in me or just wanted to change the subject. I shifted in my seat.

“How is it living at your friend's house?"

"So amazing that I'm having second thoughts about moving out at all," I said before taking yet another swig.

"Starting over is working out for you, then?"

I shrugged. "I'm not exactly starting over, just doing the same thing, like always, only in a different house. I’ve been thinking of maybe applying to jobs abroad though. I've never been anywhere except Boston and Arizona."

"That's where you grew up?"

"Yeah. My mom still lives there. I visit from time to time but couldn’t see myself moving back there."

"And your father?"

"He and my mom broke up when I was a kid. He never was around, so we don’t have a relationship at all."

"Sorry about that."

"My mom's all I need. She's happy I'm staying at Taylor's for now. Especially because I keep spamming her with pictures of the cats and Becky. She’s always been a cat person, but I can tell she really wants a dog now. I’ll get her a puppy for her birthday."

I took another swig of wine. I was talking a bit too much tonight.

"By the way, did Jeannie drop by at all? She seemed serious about coming to see Becky.”

"No, she hasn't been visiting. But I’ll remind her." He flashed one of those smiles again. And now I was tipsy enough to call him out on it.

"Okay, stop that."

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