The Bad Boy Next Room (Charlie and Taylor) novel Chapter 45

Grayson, Taylor’s father, leaned forward with interest and asked, “So, Charlie, tell us about yourself?”

Mr. West was much like his sons—a tall man with blond hair. Unlike Taylor, he wore glasses. The lines on his face suggested he was about forty-eight or forty-nine years old. He wore a long-sleeved blue shirt that hugged his well-built frame. Charlie could definitely see where Tristan and Taylor got their looks from.

Across from Charlie sat Taylor’s mom, Savannah Carrington West. She had light brown hair that was neatly tied back in a ponytail. She wore a business suit and had very light skin with a pointed nose.

Everyone was seated at the dining table. They had already started their meal with a salad. Responding to Mr. West’s inquiry, Charlie swallowed the food in her mouth and said, “I’m a business administration student. I’m already in my fourth year.”

“She’s their top student, Dad,” Taylor added, looking proud.

“That’s good,” Grayson said approvingly. “You’re just like Taylor, a dean’s lister.”

Charlie smiled and said, “I’m very serious about my studies because my dad was an overachiever. I guess that’s where I get my drive from—I’ve always wanted to make him proud.”

“Ah, you’re a daddy’s girl?” Grayson asked, amused. He shared, “I always wanted a daughter, but Savannah and I didn’t try hard enough.”

“Oh, here we go again,” Savannah said, shaking her head.

“But I’m happy with my sons. I couldn’t be more proud to have geniuses,” Mr. West said, gazing at Tristan and Taylor.

“I’m a computer genius,” Tristan declared.

“That you are,” Taylor acknowledged.

“So, are you, Charlie? A daddy’s girl?” Grayson asked again.

“Um, I love my parents equally,” Charlie said hesitantly. “I guess they have different ways of influencing us. With Mom, it’s more about home and family.”

“Where are you from, Charlie?” This time, Savannah asked.

“I’m from Halliport,” Charlie answered.

“Halliport,” Savannah repeated, deep in thought. Unlike the men in the West family, she had a different demeanor. “That’s a big city. What brings you to Luxford? How long have you been studying here?”

“Four years now. I started my first year at Luxford University,” Charlie said, repeating the same information she had shared with Taylor. She explained, “I like the environment here, and I feel safe. But primarily, I wanted to learn independence, so I chose a university a bit far from home. I love my dad, but he’s a little strict. Maybe ‘overprotective’ is the better term.”

“Strict, huh? Mmm. Sounds familiar,” Grayson said before chuckling.

Taylor also chuckled, but his mom remarked, “There’s nothing wrong with strict and traditional parents. It’s their way of loving their children. Millennials nowadays are influenced by so many things found on social media.”

“Yes, of course, Mrs. West, I know my parents mean well. I just wanted to experience things on my own,” Charlie said with a smile.

“I think it’s great that you’re learning to be independent, Charlie,” Taylor’s father remarked.

“How many siblings do you have? What are your parents’ names?” Savannah asked. “And what about your grandparents?”

“I still have my grandparents from both sides of the family. We’re very close. My father’s name is Adrian King, and my mom is Riley King. I have an older sister, whom Taylor has met virtually,” Charlie said, smiling at Taylor. After Taylor gave a thumbs-up, she resumed, “I grew up with two brothers—we were born triplets.”

“Wow! Triplets?” Tristan reacted. “What’s that like?”

At the thought of her brothers, Charlie couldn’t help but chuckle. Her eyes gleamed as she described, “I love them, but they can really be annoying. They tease me all the time, but they also spoil me.”

“That sounds like fun,” Taylor said. “I think your brothers and I will get along.”

He winked at the end, making Charlie roll her eyes. She grumbled, “I’m worried that might actually be true.”