Page 88 of Spencer and the Younger Girl
She laughed. “Something tells me Spencer Lee is not the sushi type.”
“Then, whatever you want. Just bring him around so I can threaten him.”
“You wouldn’t.” She narrowed her eyes.
He winked before wrapping an arm around her shoulders. “No, I wouldn’t. My granddaughter is fully capable of taking care of herself. If you think he’s good enough for you, I believe you. But… I do want to meet him.”
She slid off the stool and threw her empty smoothie container in the recycling bin. “I can ask, but I’m not making any promises. I have to go.” She gave him a hug. “See you tonight.”
Roman followed her to the front door. “I want more details.”
“Rome.” She grabbed her keys. “I am not giving you details.”
He wiggled his eyebrows.
“Stop being gross.” She laughed, knowing almost everything out of his mouth was a joke. He was a contradiction to his more serious girlfriend, but somehow, they fit.
Just like Hadley and Spencer. She was the light to his dark.
* * *
Hadley didn’t seeSpencer for the first few hours of work that morning, but her eyes continued to search for him as she helped Damien and Gabe paint the office in the barn. It was in desperate need of a makeover, and she enjoyed painting.
Being with the two boys was easy, fun. They flirted constantly with innocent touches and smiles they thought were secret—which was just about the most adorable thing ever. Damien’s little fifteen-year-old ears were a permanent shade of pink.
Hadley always wished for younger siblings she could corrupt, but it wasn’t in the cards for her. Damien would do.
She scooted up next to him to dip her paintbrush in the tray at his feet before painting another strip along the base trim.
A drop of paint hit her cheek, and she looked up at Damien who was rolling the section of wall above her head. “Dude, paint the wall, not me.”
Damien’s cheeks reddened. “Sorry.”
“You should be.”
When he didn’t respond, she chuckled. “That was a joke, Damo.”
He rubbed the back of his neck and set his roller down in a paint pan. “I’m a bit distracted.”
Gabe sighed. “Damien, I told you, there’s no way she could know.”
“Know what?” Hadley looked between the two boys.
“Damien is convinced his mom suspects us.”
Damien leaned against the wet wall before Hadley could stop him. “I don’t want her to find out before I have a chance to tell her.”
“Damien—”
“It’s not that I don’t think she’ll be okay with it… but she deserves to hear it from me, ya know?”
“Damo—”
He kept talking. “I don’t even know why I’m spilling my guts to you, Hadley, but you’re here.”
Gabe set his roller aside and walked over to Damien. He put a hand on his shoulder as if showing support, but Hadley saw the amusement dancing in Gabe’s eyes. “Damien,” he said as he pulled Damien away from the wall. “She’s trying to tell you you’re leaning on wet paint.”
Damien’s expression turned sheepish as he twisted to look at his side that was now covered in blue paint.
