Page 69 of The Even Odder Couple

Ever.

But I don’t mind this hug. I’m still a little lightheaded, and Spencer’s nearness is giving me strength. So I burrow deeper into his chest, inhaling the scent of clean laundry. Sweet soap. Hmm. Spencer is so solid and steady, I want to forget all my responsibilities and stay frozen like this forever.

When I shudder, he draws me in closer and runs a palm over my hair. Softly. He’s so tender.

“It’s okay,” he whispers. “You’re safe with me.”

After my dad died, so much of my life felt uncertain. Mac tried to be a second father to me, but it was hard to trust in anything constant. That’s probably why I kept jumping from job to job, from one anchor to another. Now I know the earth can shift at any minute, rocking my world. Hard. And I don’t know where I’ll be living next or what my job will be. Everything is unstable.

But not this man. Not this moment.

When Spencer finally pulls back, just enough to tip his chin and look down into my eyes, something swells up from deep inside. A tidal wave of emotion.

“You’re hugging me!” I blurt.

Really smooth, Tess. Way to state the obvious. As awkwardly as possible.

He nods, slowly. A rise and fall of his chin. “Sometimes, in front of other people, you act like you’re fine when you’re not. I just wanted to be sure you’re all right.”

My heart beats almost as hard as when I thought Clive was a monster attacking me. “But we’re not in front of other people.”

Spencer releases me, takes a step backward. “I waited for Clive to leave so I could preserve my friend’s professionalism.” He blows out a breath and moves even farther away from me. I feel the absence of his body heat immediately. And I don’t like it. “Putting my arms around you in front of another coworker wouldn’t have been appropriate.”

Right.

Friend. Professional. Coworker.

Spencer couldn’t be more plain with his intentions. And I shouldn’t be surprised. I was right about Kayla. He likes her. And before that, he had a crush on Lucy. And before Lucy, he had his eye on Brooke. I’ve been here all along, but he never saw me like he sees other women.

As someone to love.

“Thanks for thinking about my reputation,” I squeak out, although my lungs are mostly deflated.

“Always.” He sounds gruff now. A man like this, so loyal and true, is one I could give my whole heart to. IF I were in the market for handing over my heart. But men don’t want the hearts of someone like me. Crazy and clumsy and … calamitous. It’s my own fault. I careen through life. What sane person wants to get mixed up in that? Certainly not Spencer. Someone who probably has his sock drawer color coordinated.

“Kayla’s a lucky woman,” I chirp, trying to recenter myself. I’ve got to slip back into my role in this situation—a romantic matchmaker, not a candidate for my own match.

A crease forms between Spencer’s eyes. “Yeah. I guess. We’ll see.”

“No, I’m telling you.” I swallow. “She likes you.”

He bobs his head. “So, should we head to the show? They’re probably waiting for us.”

This reminder jumpstarts my brain, bringing me back to reality. Being the director of this camp has to be my first priority. Mrs. Lockhart hired me because she believed in my potential. I got moved up to director because of a series of unfortunate events. Now I have to work even harder to prove I can do this good, hard thing. Still. The director position is only for the summer. Any success I achieve has an expiration date.

Figures.

“Let’s go,” I say, my eyes already stinging.

When Spencer bends down to pick up his flashlight, I start down the road ahead of him. I need to put a little distance between this man and my emotions. Recenter myself. Find gratitude.

Like,Hey. At least Mrs. Lockhart didn’t pop out of the bushes while I was chest-deep in Spencer.That’s one thing to be thankful for. And if I can successfully pair Spencer up with Kayla, that will be another good deed done. Once Mrs. Lockhart sees they’re a real couple, my position here at camp—as well as Spencer’s—will finally be secure.

So who cares if watching Spencer and Kayla together will be a knife in my heart?

Oh, come on, Tess. You swore off relationships years ago. Don’t be so dramatic.

Fine. How about a sharp stick in the eye? A fork in the gut? A bee sting in the butt? At the very least, seeing them together won’t exactly feel warm and fuzzy. But that doesn’t mean I won’t go through with it. Being a matchmaker has its own rewards.

I just wish love didn’t scare me more than any monster hiding in the dark.

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