Page 42 of You Found Me
“Really?” she asks excitedly. “My mom loves it too, but the Christmas one is actually her favorite.”
“Not sure Mom has seen that one, or if she has, she didn’t force us to watch it,” I say, parking. “I hope you’ve got more questions like that for me tomorrow. Mine are going to feel lame in comparison.”
She smiles, unbuckling herself, but as she goes to reach for the door, I stop her. “Nope. Stay put.”
I opened her door for her to get in, and I’ll absolutely do it again to let her out.
It’s something my dad has always done for my mom. And when Beckett and I were old enough to drive, we started doing it for her too. Dad said that it’s the correct way to treat a lady, no matter their age. It’s probably silly, considering our situation, but I want to give her the full boyfriend experience.
I open the door to see a small smile on her face.
“Spencer, you didn’t have to do that. I’m a big girl who can open her own door.”
Stepping back a little so she can get down, I smirk. “I know, I know. You’re strong and independent. I, however, need to do these little things to make me feel like the perfect gentleman my mother raised me to be.”
Emmaline rolls those beautiful brown eyes at me and walks towards our building. “I’ll be sure to tell her you’re doing a wonderful job. That way you don’t have to keep doing it.”
“Even if you tell her, you’re stuck dealing with me doing things like this.”
“That’ll take some getting used to.” She pauses coming to face me again. “Just so you know I’m not being ungrateful.”
We give each other a small smile before making our way to her door. Once I fully process the weight of her words, as her hand reaches to unlock the door, I gently turn her towards me. “I’m sorry. I know this is an arrangement and not something that happened organically. But this is how I am as a boyfriend. I can tone it down though. The last thing I want to do is make you uncomfortable.”
“It’s not uncomfortable—at least not in an ‘oh god, please stop that’ kind of way. Don’t change who you are to make things easier for me. I’m already asking so much of you.”
“Glad we’re not to that point already. Just let me know if it’s ever too much.”
Emmaline nods. “I will. I really need to get in and get cleaned up. Thank you so much for being my chauffeur and protector.”
I smile. “Always, Emmaline.”
***
Friday night finally rolls around, which means it’s time for our first date.
I kept myself busy at work today so that I wouldn’t become nervous. Mia assured me that Emmaline would have a good time with what I planned. Yet, as I stand here waiting for her to open the door, I feel a little panicked. Like maybe this wasn’t the best idea.
I felt something for her when we first met, thought about her for a long time after that night, and when she came back into my life it felt like my chance. I realize the leap of faith she’s taking with me, and I’m aware of the boundaries—at least my head is, can’t say my heart has got the memo.
Before I spiral too much more, the door opens. Emmaline stands there looking incredible. For some reason, I can’t get over the fact that she chose to wear a thin strapped burgundy top. Especially after we discussed each other’s favorite colors earlier this week. She’s wearing tight, black pants and a pair ofConverse sneakers. And part of her hair is braided—almost as though she’s wearing a crown. She looks insanely cute, and also very sexy.
I realize I haven’t said anything since she opened the door. Shaking my thoughts away, I clear my throat, “You look beautiful, Emmaline.” The blush that overtakes her face and neck is stunning.
Though, I can’t help but wonder if she flushes anywhere else. I mentally snap out of it just as fast as the thought popped into my head. “We should get going.”
Mia, who I didn’t realize was watching this entire exchange, calls out, “Don’t do anything I wouldn’t do!”
Emmaline laughs. “Mia, you know there’s nothing you wouldn’t do. I don’t think that’s good advice.”
“Exactly,” she says with a wink.
Chapter 13
Emmaline
As we’re seated for dinner at La Bella Vita, there’s a part of me that wants to cry.
Spencer’s put so much effort into this “relationship,” I can’t help but sit here in awe that he actually remembered my favorite restaurant. Chance couldn’t even be bothered to plan so much as a dinner at home, let alone remember a comment I made in passing.
