Page 45 of You Found Me
When he laughs, I notice his face is a mirror of my own. “Don’t worry about it. I mean, we kind of need to sell this whole arrangement.” He jokingly adds, “I can’t wait to tell my mom about this.”
I go to playfully punch his arm and realize he’s still holding me, with his arms still underneath my butt. And I know that I’ve turned into an actual tomato. I tap his shoulder, hoping he will get the hint to let me down—which he does, slowly.
Painfullyslow.
I start backing away. “I’m, uh, going to go to the bathroom really quick.”
Luckily for me, the bathroom is empty. I grab a paper towel, wet it, then press it against my neck and chest. There’s this nervous flutter in my stomach that I push aside. This only works because he doesn’t actually want to date anyone. And if he wanted an actual girlfriend, it definitely wouldn’t be me.
I take one last look at myself and head out to find Spencer.
The ride back to our apartments is so quiet that I end up falling asleep, only waking up when I hear a door slam. I look out the windshield to see Spencer walking to open my door.
“Well, hello, Sleeping Beauty.”
“I’m sorry. Quiet car rides have always put me to sleep.”
Tapping my nose, he adds, “Your little snores were pretty adorable.”
“Now, I know that June Hale raised you well enough to know you don’t comment on a lady’s snoring. I believe I’ll have to tell her the next time she’s in town.”
He dramatically clutches his chest. “Threatening to tell my mom on me again? That’s a low blow, Emmaline Agnes Jones.” He laughs at my eye-roll at his second attempt at guessing my middle name. “You have my sincerest apologies for ever bringing up such a thing.” He holds out his hand for me to take. “Come on, let’s get upstairs so you can go to bed.”
When we reach my door, I turn around, ready to tell him I had a good time, when he beats me to it.
“I had a great time with you tonight, Emmaline. I knew we’d become good friends fast. But if Chance texts or calls you again, please let me know. I want you to know that you have someone else in your corner besides the girls.”
And with that, he leans down, kisses my forehead, and tells me goodnight.
When I get inside, I see Mia passed out on the couch, drooling, with a magazine on her chest. Like a little mother hen, trying to wait up for me, I take out my phone, snap a picture, and then place a cover over her.
I walk to my room to grab my robe and head to the bathroom. I prefer a shower before bed to help me unwind. I’ve done so for as long as I can remember. The only exception is when I get too drunk and pass out without so much as cleaning off my face.
I can’t remember the last time I had such a good night that didn’t involve the girls. I would’ve brought them to the axe bar, but Mia very gently told me she wouldn’t be going anywhere near a place that allows uncoordinated people, such as myself, to throw around weapons.
Before hopping in the shower, I post the picture Spencer and I took tonight. It doesn’t matter that Chance already knows I was out with another guy, I’m posting it to make sure my point comes across.
Besides, we looked too cute together, and I can’t get over the fact that I looked genuinely happy.
***
Earlier in the week I had promised Colette I’d try to start going to yoga with her and the others again.
Which is why I’m up so early without having a drop of coffee yet. While we wait for the yoga class to start, the girls ask me how the date went. “It was actually a lot of fun! I had the best time. I mean except for when Chance started texting me and calling me names.”
“He’s the worst,” Piper replies. “And I say that as someone who’s only ever been around him twice.”
Colette glares at her stepsister. “Unhelpful, Piper Jane.”
Shaking my head at the two of them, I say, “It’s okay. He’s definitely not great. I didn’t let him ruin my night though. I was worried it’d be awkward—especially after I zoned out for a bit—but Spencer never let it get that way. In fact, most of the time he just let me feel whatever I needed to and didn’t push.”
“I’m really surprised you’re dating someone already. Not that I don’t completely support it. Spencer is a cutie. It’s just, you were so adamant about not dating anyone,” Colette states, clearly skeptical.
It’s at times like this when I wish she didn’t know me as well as Mia does. She’s like a hound and can read me like a book.
I try to think of what to say in a way that’s not acompletelie. “It’s pretty casual right now. I told Mia because she was there when I met Spencer at Edie’s Eats, but I’d first met him years ago. It’s not like we just met.”
Piper gasps. “Shut up.Really? It’s fate. That’s the only way to spin it.”
