Page 5 of You Found Me
“Emmaline! I didn’t know you were coming in today.”
Theo is a real-life Ken doll. He has the same stunning blue eyes as Mia, but where her blonde hair is the perfect sandy blend, his is golden, with a little length on top. Teddy is one of the nicest guys I’ve ever known, the kind of man who would give you the shirt off his back before you even asked.
“Yeah. I decided to come early since I don’t have work and wanted a little extra girl time,” I say, bumping my shoulder into Mia.
Right then, the mystery man turns to greet us, and I feel like I’ve seen a ghost.
It can’t be him.
It’s been years since we met at Theo’s Halloween frat party my sophomore year of college. He must have been one of Theo’s brothers. I start to think maybe it’s not him. I could beremembering him wrong, I mean he was wearing a mask, butI knowI would never forget those eyes.
A few more seconds than normal must pass because I hear a throat clearing before Theo jumps in, “Rude of me to not introduce you guys. Em, this is Spencer Hale, my old college roommate and best friend. Spence, this is Emmaline Jones, one of Mia’s best friends.”
Spencer Hale has the deepest blue eyes I’ve ever seen, with long dark lashes that would make any woman jealous. His chestnut hair is thick and just begging for me to run my fingers through it. There’s a scar through his left eyebrow and he has a dimple in his right cheek. I’m not sure if he’s always had the tattoo of what looks to be a city skyline on his right arm since his costume that night was long sleeved, but it just makes the muscles and veins pop even more.
Theo invites us to join them. Mia takes a seat next to her brother, leaving me sitting beside Spencer. He smiles at me then scoots over, giving me room to sit.
When we make eye contact, he mumbles under his breath, “Buttercup?”
And that’s when I know—it’sHIM.
I watch Theo look at us, then Mia with a tilt of his head. She simply shrugs it off.
We never exchanged names. I was dressed as The Powerpuff Girls with Piper and Mia. Naturally, with my darker hair, I was Buttercup. Mia was our Bubbles and Piper, our red-headed queen, was Blossom. Spencer went as Daredevil, less comic-booky vibes and more hottie from the TV show.
He grabs his water taking a sip, then clears his throat. “Howdy, Emmaline. It’s nice to meet you.”
Chapter 2
Spencer
Howdy?!
Did I really just say that to her after all this time?
What is wrong with me?
Actually no, I do know what’s wrong with me. It’sher.
Emmaline was and is still the most beautiful woman I’ve ever seen. She has this incredible wavy dark brown hair that she tries so hard to tame but struggles to keep from framing her beautiful face in a thick brunette halo. Her brown eyes, similar to that of a Disney princess, are so big and soulful. And she has an incredible figure, all hips with an ass I wish I could bite.
But more importantly, she is one of the kindest people that I’ve ever met. The night we met, we talked about what we wanted to do with our lives. She told me how she wanted to become a Family Nurse Practitioner and work in a small-town clinic.
I shared with her how I wanted to become an architect because the idea of designing my own buildings or homes that people will enjoy, and create lasting memories in, brings me a sense of peace. A desire to create that safe place for families to have their own happily forever kind of memories in.
Other than my family and Theo, I’d never shared that with anyone. There was just something about her that made me comfortable enough to share my dreams for the first time in an honest way. I’d always tell people I thought it’d be cool, like playing with Legos on a grand scale. At best it’d get a chuckle and they’d move on.
“That’s great, but are you sure you wanna do all that math?” is what she said to me. I distinctly remember the disgust on her face and the adorable way it scrunched when I laughed and told her that math was my favorite subject.
Brought out of my thoughts because of courseTheo wasn’t going to let my hello slide without giving me shit first.
“I didn’t know you were a cowboy? I’ve been with you most of the day and you didn’t think to mention your new occupation once? I’m hurt,” Theo mocks.
My cheeks heat, something I’m not used to happening, as Emmaline and Mia burst out in a fit of giggles. Emmaline locks eyes with me, I think she’s about to save me, but instead she taunts, “What are you doing in town, in the middle of the week? I would have thought cowboys had a busy schedule, working until the sun goes down, chasing animals and such.”
Theo and Mia snicker under their breath as Emmaline paints a look of innocence on her face. I let out a small laugh and shake my head. “I moved to town a month ago after Theobeggedme to come work with him,” I exaggerate, earning me a sugar packet to the face, courtesy of my best friend.
“Oh, that’s great. Where are you living?” Emmaline asks.
