Page 18 of You Found Me (The Meadow Springs #1)

“I know this isn’t something you want to do.

But Emmaline, I saw how upset you were last night.

I saw the bruises and can see them even more clearly now.

You brought up dating someone to get him off your back—even though you’re not actually ready to date someone.

I know it was proposed as a joke in the moment, but I’m saying yes,” Spencer smiles.

“I want to help you out and if you think dating someone is the way to get him to leave you alone, I’m going to be the one to do it. ”

“Spencer, that’s crazy. It’s very sweet of you, but no.”

“You know you need help when it comes to him. Otherwise, you wouldn’t have come up with that idea. Besides, it wouldn’t just benefit you. You’d actually be helping me out.”

“So, it’s not just out of pity for me?”

“Nope,” he says, matter of factly. “I can be there at the end of your workdays in case he shows up outside again. Hell, I can even drive you to and from work. I’m always up early anyway.

This will also help when I talk to my mom for more than two minutes and she asks if I’ve called Shiloh, or if I’ve gone on any more dates.

Now I can tell her that it wouldn’t be appropriate because I have a girlfriend.

We can do this for a few months, or until your ex gets the hint. ”

He makes a really compelling argument. Which is the only reason why I say, “If you’re sure about this, then I would like it if you would be my fake boyfriend. As long as you know that fake is all it can be. ”

Thankfully, Spencer nods in agreement, leading me to ask, “Should we shake on it or something?”

Something catches his eye behind me for a split second before he looks back at me. “Shaking hands doesn’t scream ‘hey we’re dating.’”

Spencer stands, moving next to me, and brushes a flyaway hair behind my ear before kissing my forehead. “That seems like the right move to make as a couple that just started dating,” he whispers. “Call me once you’ve discussed everything with your friends.”

When he walks off, I turn to watch. I mean all of him is extremely attractive, so it’s hard not to stare.

That’s when I see Mia standing at the pickup counter looking very surprised and intrigued by what she just witnessed.

Spencer wave to her, charming as ever, causing Mia to smirk.

She grabs her tea and croissant, hightailing it to my table.

“I assume you saw that little exchange?”

“Sure did,” Mia answers, tilting her head to the side, cat-like smile still firmly in place. “Do tell what that was about.”

I can feel the flush creeping up my neck to my cheeks. But I ignore it and tell her everything about the night before, starting with Chance harassing me since the breakup, and ending with Spencer’s proposition. She’s understandably upset that I didn’t mention anything at dinner.

“Mia, it was your birthday dinner. I didn’t want to make the night about me and my problems. Spencer just happens to be annoyingly observant.”

“I wouldn’t have been upset if you’d brought it up,” she says, and I know she means it. “I noticed you were a little off but thought it was just because work was a doozy.”

“It was, Chance just made it worse. I agreed to dating Spencer, but before he walked away, he said to talk it over with you guys then let him know. Speaking of which, where are Lettie and Piper? Aren’t they usually with you for yoga?”

“They had other things going on today. Lettie said the youth center needed some TLC, so she and a few of the other women were planning on redecorating the bulletin boards. Piper sent a text saying ‘ the vibes are off this morning. Won’t be coming today .’ Typical Piper reasoning.”

That makes me laugh because if Pipes isn’t feeling 100% sold on something, she will bail on it. I’m sure some people would call her flaky, but the few times we got her to go against that feeling, nothing good came from it.

“So, are you really going to do this thing with him?”

I groan, putting my head in my hands. “I said yes, but I don’t know. If Colette were here, she’d tell me to make a pros and cons list. Maybe that’s what I should do.”

“Well, one major pro is that he’s hotter than sin with a butt you could bounce a quarter off of.”

The snort that comes out of me is loud enough that the people around us give me a dirty look. “Right? Even in some of the baggier pants I’ve seen him wear, you can clearly tell he’s got an ass.”

“Plus, if after last night he was still good to offer this, I think you’ve found a winner. Fake and real.”

Oh god, my memory gap from last night. “Was it bad? Did I say something dumb? Oh my god, I didn’t throw up on him, did I?” I ask in quick succession.

“It wasn’t bad, just entertaining. And no, you didn’t throw up on him.”

Groaning, I put my head down. “What did I say?”

“Well, he drove us home because we both had a bit to drink. You ended up falling asleep in the back seat of his truck and didn’t stir when he parked or when he cut the engine. I innocently suggested he should just carry you upstairs.”

“Mia! You know I would have woken up with a little effort. I can’t believe you had him carry me up two flights of stairs.”

“But if he hadn’t done that, Spencer wouldn’t know how ‘yummy’ you think he is. Nor would he have had his biceps squeezed while you told him how dainty he made you feel.”

I’m trying to decide where the nearest bridge is so I can fling myself off of it.

“ Oh. My. God, ” I groan. “I mean yes, he is attractive, and I’ve always thought so, but I never wanted him to know I still think he’s attractive. ”

“Even though you were very clearly drunk, his cheeks managed to get as red as that day in the diner when he turned into a cowboy. Though,” she pauses then says, “watching him be so gentle with you was sweet to watch. He definitely cares about you as a person. And that’s more than you could ever say about Chance. ”

“Maybe I’ll take a little time to think.”

“That’s a good idea. Are you going to talk to the girls about it?”

I shake my head. “No. I think that if I do go through with it, the less people that know it’s not real the better.”

“I promise to keep it to myself,” she raises her hand with a peace sign. “Scout’s honor.”