Page 48 of Trust Again

“It’s so pretty,” I said, signing the card and drawing a little heart under my name. “That was such a good idea, Spence.”

He returned my smile. “Yeah, right? We’re a good team.”

Before I could respond, he lifted his hand.

“I have something for you, too.”

“But it’s not my birthday.”

“I know. It’s just a little something. Wait.” He turned toward the closet across the room and then pivoted back to me. “Close your eyes.”

I made a sour face.

“Close ‘em or you won’t get your surprise.”

Sighing, I closed my eyes. I heard him open the closet door and fumble around in it. Then the door clicked shut.

“Open your eyes,” he said abruptly.

Spencer was holding a huge balloon that was printed with the faces of the boys from One Direction. I was dumbfounded for a moment but then I had to laugh. He poked his head out from behind the balloon, and his crooked grin made little dimples appear in his cheeks.

“I thought it would be unfair if Allie was the only one to get balloons while my girl goes away empty-handed,” he explained, holding out the balloon.

I reached out for the blue ribbon and looked down. Oh no.

No, no, no.

Now was not the time for tears. I squeezed my eyes shut and held my breath. Exhaling audibly, I dared to look up at Spencer again.

“I’m sure Allie’s going to be jealous.” I pulled the ribbon a few times to make the balloon jump. “Thanks.”

“Any time,” he joked. His smile had slipped a bit, but he quickly recovered. “Let’s get back to the living room—we wouldn’t want the others to think we’re getting up to something in here.”

My cheeks grew hot again, and my eyes narrowed. He just laughed, and went to the door.

“After you, m’lady,” he said and bowed.

“Why? So you can stare at my behind?” I shot back.

“Never underestimate the power of your sweet behind, Dawn.”

Scott kept on trying to get me to drink, to no avail. I’d seen Spencer with a beer in his hand; it was still half full when he switched over to water. Come to think of it, I’d hardly ever seen Spencer drinking alcohol, and even if he grabbed a beer he rarely finished it. It only made the night he had gotten drunk seem more out of character for him.

I found myself wondering again about his family, but then drove those thoughts from my mind. In recent weeks I’d been driving myself crazy thinking about it, and it couldn’t go on like this. At least not tonight: It would soon be Allie’s actual birthday. I should concentrate on that, not on Spencer.

But I couldn’t help it.

He’d caught me looking at him several times. Once it was when he was talking to a guy I didn’t know; then there was the time when he was standing in a crowd of girls who were all laughing at something he’d said.

The third occasion was when he was talking with Kaden and just happened to unbutton the sleeves of his checked shirt and roll them up. He took his time, and I only noticed that he’d caught me staring when he was done. He glanced at me sidelong with a hint of a smile, which made me look down again at my pop.

Less than a minute later I saw his gray Chucks approaching; he plopped down next to me on the couch.

“You’ve been staring at me all evening,” he said softly.

“Really?”

“I’m pretty sure about it, yeah.”