Page 72 of Falling for the CEO

Istepped down intothe boat first, careful to balance it, and then lifted Penny up by her waist, placing her next to me. Under the boatman's scrutinizing eyes, I put on her life jacket. I took my suit jacket off, placing it on one of the empty seats. I could have left it in the car but figured we might use it if Penny got cold. After rolling up my sleeves, I put the life jacket on, which was a tight fit. I grabbed the handle of one paddle and then the other and began rowing.

"You're good at this," Penny exclaimed after a few seconds. She sounded shocked.

I burst out laughing. "You thought I'd suck."

"I figured there will be a learning curve or something."

"I was on the rowing team back in college."

"And you kept that a secret? Oh, I can just imagine that happening. Explains all your muscles too. Do you still do that in your free time?"

"No. I use the rowing machine at the gym, but I haven't been on the water in years. I forgot how much I liked it."

"So why go out now?"

I looked straight at her and stopped mid row. The boat spun slowly.

"You said you'd like to go out on the lake, and I wanted to surprise you."

She put her hands between her knees, pressing them together and glancing sideways at the lake.

"You're thoughtful," she whispered.

"I aim to please."

That made her blush. Mission accomplished. My chest filled with pride. I started rowing again.

"What made you decide to leave in the middle of the day?" she asked.

“I went to my grandparents' home beforehand."

"Is everything okay? Did something happen?"

I couldn't believe she was worrying about them. She'd only met Grandmother twice. How could she be so invested in their well-being?

"Yes, everything's fine. I'm in a conundrum at work, and I figured I should listen to their opinions. I'd like to hear yours as well, as a matter of fact."

This was a new experience for me. I'd never, not once, spoken about Whitley Publishing with any woman I dated. Especially not Ben’s mother. She’d never been interested.

"I'm listening."

"I'm very stubborn, and I want to keep the biography section inThe Vulture."

"Oh," she said.

She didn't sound enthusiastic at all.

"That says volumes about what you think of my idea."

"Well, I always wondered why you still have it. The pieces are very interesting, but I just can't imagine there are many people who read it."

I could have told her it was a symbolic thing. I didn't have to go into detail. But I wanted to.

"Back when my mother ran Whitley Publishing, she wrote that section inThe Vultureherself. It was very important to her."

Penny pushed her hat back on her head. Finally, I could see her eyes properly. They were full of emotion.

"Oh, Spencer. And you want to keep it as a tribute to her?"

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