Chapter 68

CHAPTER 68

MARLOW

" W hy don't you guys go on up to the balcony?" Spencer suggested. "I'll finish up in here. Pick a bottle of wine."

"That sounds like a great idea," I said.

I chose a bottle of wine from his extensive collection and grabbed two glasses. "Kim, let's go upstairs. Have you been up to the balcony?"

"I went up to check it out when I was here yesterday," she replied. "Won't it be chilly?"

"There are heaters," Spencer said. "Marlow, do you know how to turn them on?"

"I'm sure I do." I walked over and gave him a quick kiss. "You look pretty hot doing the dishes," I whispered in his ear.

"Stop teasing me," he groaned.

I winked and walked away. "Let's go, Kim."

Spencer's mother and I sat around the fire table on his lavish balcony, the city lights of New York twinkling around us. It was a clear, crisp, cold night. The heat from the table and the heater warded off the chill, but it wasn't exactly toasty warm. We were each bundled up in blankets, sipping our wine while Spencer was inside cleaning up after dinner. The warmth of the fire and the serene atmosphere made it the perfect setting for a heart-to-heart.

I took a sip of my wine and looked over at her. She was staring at the flames, clearly a million miles away. I couldn't begin to guess what was on her mind, but I had a feeling it had a little something to do with Spencer.

"Spencer is wonderful, you know," I said quietly.

"Yes, he is." She smiled. "I don't know how he turned out like that. I certainly can't take credit for it."

"I wouldn't say that," I told her.

"I would," she said. "I've done nothing right to deserve a son like him. I always knew he was smart and capable and ridiculously driven, but I could have never imagined he would have so much success."

"I think Spencer and his friends are all very driven," I replied. "They knew what they wanted, and they sacrificed and busted their butts to get it."

"Yes, they did." She smiled. "Did you know him well back then?"

"No. I hadn't seen him for fifteen years. We just happened to be visiting Rhett at the same time. It's kind of funny that we had never run into each other. We're both in the same line of work, but we just never crossed paths."

"How did you come to work for him?" she asked.

"He asked." I smiled, remembering the first conversation. "I thought he was joking. I turned him down a couple of times, but he finally wore me down."

"And has it worked out well?"

"You could say that." I giggled softly. "He makes me so happy, even if things were a bit rough for a minute there."

She smiled, a wistful look in her eyes. "I'm glad to hear that. I can see how much he cares for you."

"Yeah," I replied, swirling the wine in my glass. "We've had our ups and downs, but I wouldn't trade a single second."

Her gaze softened further. "He rarely lets people close, you know. Always had this wall up. But with you it's different."

I nodded. "I see that. It feels right with him."

Kim sighed and took a sip of her wine. There was a moment of silence between us as we watched the flames dance.

"I hope it always stays that way," she said eventually. "Spencer deserves happiness, and I believe you are the one who can give him that."

Her honesty took me aback, and for a moment, I was at a loss for words. We sat in comfortable silence, the warm glow of the fire reflecting in our glasses.

"I feel the same way," I said, finally finding my voice. "He's been my rock in times of need, and I've seen him open up in ways you wouldn't believe. It's special."

"I do believe it," she said. "I hope I can one day have a special relationship with him. I know I have a lot to make up for."

"He's a good man, Kim," I assured her. "I don't think you're going to have to try too hard. He wants a relationship with you. All this success he's achieved, it doesn't mean a lot to him unless he knows he's made you proud."

"Of course, he has!"

"Good," I said, looking at her and seeing the sincerity in her eyes. "Tell him."

"I will." She nodded. "I want to thank you and your family for everything you did for Spencer when he was growing up. I wish I'd been able to do better by him. I have no doubt in my mind it was your parents who influenced him. There is just no way he would have turned out the way he did without them."

Her words touched me deeply. I couldn't help but wonder why she was having such a major epiphany. I worried she was sick. Was this her trying to make amends before she passed away? I desperately hoped not.

"What changed in the matter of a week?" I asked softly. "No offense, but I didn't see this shift coming."

She sighed, her breath visible in the cold air. "After Spencer blew up at us and kicked us out, I was conflicted, confused, and furious. It took me a couple of days to realize I was angry with myself, not my son. So, I booked a therapy appointment—the first one I've ever gone to in my whole life. My husband didn't want me to do it, and we got into a huge fight. He thought it was pointless and stupid. Thought it made him weak. That's when he booked his flight home."

"I'm sorry," I said. "I'm sorry he didn't want to take that step with you."

"Me too," she said with a sad smile. "I've had a handful of emergency therapy sessions since then. I have learned more about myself in the last week than I have in the last two decades. I'm embarrassed and ashamed."

I reached over and squeezed her hand. "It's not too late. I can see how hopeful Spencer is. This is all he wants. You don't have to raise him anymore. That's done. And he's a good man. He loves you. He just wants your support. He just wants to know you are proud of him. All those things he buys you is his way of trying to show you how well he's done for himself."

She nodded, tears brimming in her eyes. "Family is complicated, isn't it?"

I nodded, thinking about my own family. "It sure is. My family is just as complicated."

"Oh?"

"I've been having a bit of a conflict with my brother, Rhett."

Just then, Spencer came out to join us, carrying extra blankets. "I thought you guys might be a little chilly," he said.

He wrapped a blanket around each of our shoulders, the gesture filled with care and love. His mother looked at him like she was seeing him for the first time, a moment I quietly observed with a smile.

"What's going on with Rhett?" Spencer asked, sitting down beside me with a drink in his hand.

I sighed, not wanting to worry him too much. "I don't know what to do about him," I said. "We still haven't talked. I'm scared he won't come around. I need him to accept us being together."

Spencer looked thoughtful. "Maybe we should head up this coming weekend and work it all out. Family is family, right?" He glanced at his mother as he said this.

She smiled, nodding. "Right. Your brother won't approve of you and Spencer?" Kim asked.

"No." I shook my head. "He already made it clear he didn't want me dating Spencer. I was married to his friend, Dakota. That didn't end well. Rhett maintained a relationship with him until recently."

"Until Rhett invited her ex-husband into her apartment and the guy lost his shit," Spencer muttered. "He trashed her place."

"Oh, my goodness," Kim gasped.

"Spencer was there to save the day." I smiled. "As usual."

"I didn't do anything," he said.

"And now Rhett is mad that Spencer is seeing you?" Kim questioned.

"It's not that he doesn't like Spencer," I clarified. "Honestly, I think he is more worried about me dumping Spencer and him losing a friend. After the Dakota situation, I'm pretty sure Rhett would take Spencer's side."

"But he won't have to," Spencer said. "There's no reason for any of that."

I smiled at Spencer's confidence, appreciating his unwavering faith in our relationship. "I hope so," I said. "We need to find a way to convince Rhett. I don't want drama. My parents don't need it either."

Kim looked thoughtful. "Have you considered a family meeting? Sit down with everyone, explain your feelings, listen to their concerns, and assure them of your intentions?"

"I can't force Rhett to listen if he doesn't want to," I said.

"Maybe he doesn't need forcing," Spencer suggested gently. "He might just need time. A bit of space to adjust and then he'll come around. I'll talk to him."

I leaned my head on his shoulder, so glad to have him by my side, literally and metaphorically.

We talked a bit more before Kim got to her feet. "I'm going to head to bed," she said. "Will you be staying the night, Marlow?"

"Yes," Spencer answered for me.

I gave him a look. We would discuss it later. "We should go down as well," I said. "It's pretty chilly."

We all headed downstairs together.

"Thank you for dinner," Kim said. "It was very nice getting to talk to you again. If I don't see you in the morning, I hope to see you again soon."

"Me too," I said. "Goodnight, Kim."

Spencer and I went to the living room and settled in on the couch.

"I'm really worried about talking to Rhett. What if he doesn't come around? What if I never put this whole thing to bed with him?"

Spencer took my hands in his, his eyes filled with determination. "He will. I promise you, Marlow. We'll figure it out together."

I wanted to believe him. I wanted to hold on to the hope that we could mend the rift with my brother. Spencer's confidence gave me a glimmer of that hope. I leaned my head against his shoulder.

"Now, about me staying the night," I said.

"What?" He grinned. "You don't want to?"

"I never said that," I replied with a teasing smile. "But your mom."

"Do you think my mother thinks we're a couple of innocent virgins?" he joked. He picked up my hand and pressed a kiss to my knuckles.

"Very funny," I retorted, though the heat of his lips on my skin had sent a familiar thrill down my spine.

"Let's go to bed," he whispered.

"I don't know if I can with your mom under the same roof," I hissed.

He rolled his eyes. "Like I said, she has no illusions we're innocent. Besides, my bedroom is on the other side. And you'll just have to be quiet."

I blushed at his words, even as I playfully smacked his shoulder. "Spencer!"

His laughter was so good to hear. "Come on, Marlow," he said, standing up and pulling me to my feet. "Trust me."

I sighed dramatically for effect and allowed him to guide me to his room. His hand was warm in mine, steady and comforting. He had a way of making me feel calm.

We walked into his bedroom with him quietly closing the door behind us. "You're going to have to start leaving a change of clothes here," he said. "And me a couple of suits at your place."

I smiled. "I like the sound of that."