Page 44 of You Found Me (The Meadow Springs #1)

Spencer

After the weekend with Emmy, it’s time to have our first proper date.

Yeah, we’ve been on a few, but those were when we weren’t actually together. I can’t only take her out to dinner again. It feels like a cop out—like it’s too easy and predictable. So, while I have a pile of designs to go through, I’m sitting at my laptop searching for what to do.

Then I finally find it—the perfect date idea.

She’s mentioned this place before when talking about our favorite memories, and I laugh at how right this feels.

I make a few calls to see if I can pull it off, and when I get off the phone, I’m grinning ear to ear.

It took some greasing of elbows, but I made it happen and she’s going to love it.

I’m about to put my phone down to actually do some work when it vibrates with a call.

“This is Spencer.”

“I just got invited to Thanksgiving lunch at your parents’ house by your mother.

Of course I agreed to come. My family’s tradition for the day happens around dinner time.

It would’ve been silly not to agree. Plus, I know she would’ve just called you and bullied you into it.

I didn’t want you to feel obligated to invite me to something again.

Then when we got off the phone, I thought: ‘What if Spence doesn’t want me there?

Yeah, I was at his dad’s party but that was really just a threat from his mom.

’ I’m calling to ask if that was the right thing to do.

If it’s not, I’ll call her back and say I forgot I’d picked up a partial shift. What do you want me to do?”

“Well, hello, Emmy. I’d ask how your day is going except I don’t think I need to.”

“Sorry,” she says with a huff. “Hi, Spencer. I’m frazzled. I’ll be better once I know what you think.”

A laugh escapes me. “Of course, I’d like for you to come. It saves me from having to go back and forth on whether it’s too early to spend holidays with each other’s families. I’m sorry she ambushed you. I didn’t know she was going to, however I’m not all that surprised.”

“As long as you want me there, I’ll be there. I really like your parents.”

“I’m glad she didn't scare you off. Just so you know, you better get ready to meet some interesting people. My mom’s side of the family is pretty tame, but my dad’s is full of aunts and nieces who are just as nosy as my mom.

He clearly couldn’t get away with a nice, normal woman.

Just be ready for that. Also, Bastian and his parents will be there. ”

“Well, I can’t wait to meet everyone else. Maybe I’ll even hear some more stories about you.”

“Yeah, I’m going to keep you at my side all morning so you can’t learn anything embarrassing,” I say and all she does is laugh. “Would you be okay with staying there the night before?”

“Of course. We can leave after work.”

“That works for me. Just leave an overnight bag in my car.”

She pauses for a second before asking, “Would you want to do Thanksgiving dinner with my parents? We do things a little differently and I know they’d love to get to know you better.”

“I’d love to. Also, I’ve got our date planned for this Saturday”

I hear the smile in her voice as she says, “Great. I’ll call to let her know. I assume since you didn’t tell me what it is, that means it’s a surprise?”

“It is. I think—well—I hope that you’ ll love it.”

“I’m sure I’ll love whatever you’ve planned. I have to go. I’ll talk to you later.”

***

There’s a knock on my office door which jolts me out of the work induced haze I apparently fell into.

I call out for whoever it is to enter. Turns out, it’s Mr. Callahan.

My boss.

And my best friend’s dad.

If Theo wants to know how he’ll look in around thirty years, all he has to do is look at his dad. They honestly could pass for siblings because his dad is aging extremely well.

I stand, putting out my hand to him. “Good to see you, Mr. Callahan.”

“Now, Spencer,” he says with a laugh, giving my hand a firm shake. “I told you years ago to call me Grant since Mr. Callahan was my father.”

“Right, sorry,” I add in quickly before we sit down. “But you’ve met my mother, and those manners are hard to break.”

“True. I do believe that spitfire would knock you upside the head for calling me by my first name.”

“She definitely would,” I say with a laugh. “What brings you to my office this afternoon?”

“I wanted to see how you’re adjusting and if there’s anything I can do to help you. Theo mentioned you were still with your previous company.”

He phrases it like a question—making me think that’s the real reason he came to talk to me.

“I’m really enjoying it. I like getting to fill-in at the job sites when we’re down a man.

I know designing buildings and homes is my true calling, but I still get a thrill being one of the people to actually help build the places that will have meaning to people one day.

But, yes, I’m still with Coleman & Jenkins as of right now. ”

“I’m glad you’re settling in. Forgive me for overstepping, but is there a reason why you’re still with them?

I have noticed you’ve done so much since you started with us earlier this year and I appreciate it all,” he says leaning forward.

“I don’t want you running yourself ragged between two demanding jobs, Spencer. ”

“You’re not overstepping at all,” I assure him.

“I don’t feel like I’m running myself ragged.

I have weekly meetings via a conference call with the owners to fill them in on everything and an in-person staff meeting once a month.

I feel like I owe it to them to make it work since they took a chance on me by choosing my design for a new housing development near the beach. ”

“Theo showed me those designs when he came to me about hiring you. It was a selling point in my decision, along with the fact you worked for a friend of mine while in college that sang your praises. Coleman & Jenkins would’ve been idiots not to go with yours,” he says and stands.

“I’m letting you know, that if it’s the salary that’s keeping you there, I can not only match it but raise it.

It won’t be two salaries worth but you’ll have the freedom to design and take freelance jobs if you want.

You don’t have to give me an answer today or tomorrow.

Take some time to think it over and get back to me once you have your answer. ”

“Thank you for saying that. I’ll get back to you soon.”

“Great,” he claps his hands together. “No rush. Lizzie and I are going out of town next week and won’t be back until after the holiday. I hope you have a great Thanksgiving.”

“You, too, sir.”

Working with Theo has been great and I have been thinking about leaving Coleman & Jenkins.

I started with them right out of college.

And while they’re awesome, I think I’d like the freedom that Grant talked about me having here.

I’ve helped rework a dozen designs for him so far and then finished a handful more when his old architect quit.

Coleman & Jenkins doesn’t have a no-compete clause, but they’ve been asking more about what I’m doing for Callahan & Son’s, and it gives me a weird feeling about them that I didn't have before. I know if I talk to Theo about it, he’ll be all for me quitting.

Maybe this is something Emmy would be able to help me with.