Page 23 of You Found Me
He glances over to where my friends are. When his smirk deepens, I know that Theo’s made himself comfy with the group. “I do believe your table is now my table, so it’d feel wrong to let you bring everything back on your own.”
“Fine. Let’s get them before they get busy.”
Spencer looks around, confused. “Is this not busy? There’s barely anywhere to sit.”
I laugh, realizing he’s never been to Blossom Brews on a themed Karaoke Night. “Oh, Spencer. You are in for a real treat in about half an hour. Johanna and Rose started Karaoke Night, which happens the third Saturday of each month. I’ve only been once before tonight but that never stopped Mia from video calling me to watch the show.”
“Karaoke isn’t too bad. I’ve done it a few times in the past.”
“Well, tonight's theme is ‘women in music.’ Which tends to be pretty popular with the male population once they’ve had a beer or two.”
Spencer shakes his head, with a smile. “That would explain why Theo was so pushy to get me to come.”
“Oh yeah,” I say, laughing lightly. “Helovesto sing ‘Candy’by Mandy Moore. We’re unclear on why it’s that specific song, but it never fails to dazzle.”
He throws his head back cackling, and I can’t help but notice just how deep that singular dimple gets when there’s a true smile on his face. When he calms down, he agrees. “That he does. He’s also pulled out‘Goodbye Earl’on numerous occasions back in college. Theo’s one of a kind.”
I smile. “That was always something we used to sing as kids. We made up some choreography one afternoon when we were nine and convinced Theo to let us wrap him up in a tarp. Although, he drew the line at us taping it shut.”
Spencer grabs my hand so fast and pleads, “Please tell me someone recorded that performance.”
Laughing, I shake my head, pulling my hand away and ignoring the flutter it caused. “Not that I can remember.”
“Too bad.”
The bartender comes over, asking for our order, and when he walks off, Spencer and I stand next to one another awkwardly.
“I’m sorry to hear about your engagement.”
“Thanks. It’s made it easier being back home—even with all of the trauma my parents have caused.” I shudder. “But I’m going to move in with Mia soon.”
He bites his lip, attempting to quell his laughter. “Yeah, I don’t think I wanna know. Though, if you’re moving in with Mia, I guess that’ll make us neighbors.”
I feel my eyes widen and mentally curse myself for not putting more stock into Mia’s hot neighbor comment. “That’s the apartment you talked about having lined up?”
He gives a full smile. “Yep. I move in August 4th. So, are you the kind of neighbor I can ask to borrow a cup of sugar from?”
“Only if I can borrow an egg or two when Mia inevitably forgets to buy more. I loved living with her in college once we got in the roommate groove. But it’s going to take a bit to get back into the swing of things.”
“I don’t cook much—Beckett is the chef in the family. However, I always have eggs.”
Before I can respond, a tray of drinks is set in front of us. When I hand over my card for him to run, Spencer picks up the tray.
“Hey, I can get that.”
“I don’t doubt it. I just think it’d be rude to let you payandcarry my drink. We can switch it up next time.”
“Deal,” I say while I sign the receipt. Checking my watch, I see that karaoke is about to start. “Let’s head back and see which one of them is getting up on stage first.”
“After you, Shortstack,” he says with a wink, after sizing me up.
Rather than complain at the obvious joke about my height, I roll my eyes and walk back to our table. But I can’t ignore thesmall rush of desire that flows through me at the sound of the nickname coming from his lips.
***
The first two days at work had me shadowing another nurse, but since this hospital uses the same system as CGH, my final shift of the week is on my own.
While getting vitals for a patient, my nurse manager, Faith, peeks in. “You have a phone call, and it sounds pretty urgent. Go take it while I finish checking this patient in.”
