Page 21 of You Found Me (The Meadow Springs #1)

Emmaline

As we’re seated for dinner at La Bella Vita, there’s a part of me that wants to cry.

Spencer’s put so much effort into this “relationship,” I can’t help but sit here in awe that he actually remembered my favorite restaurant. Chance couldn’t even be bothered to plan so much as a dinner at home, let alone remember a comment I made in passing.

He once brought me to a fancy Japanese restaurant before we moved to Charleston, which normally I’d love, but that particular night they only had a limited menu featuring special kinds of sushi.

I don’t eat sushi.

There’s something about the texture of a roll that I can’t get past. Also, not a huge fan of raw seafood.

I made one comment about not being able to eat anything and he lost it.

He then asked me why I hadn’t told him about not liking sushi—as if one of our first dates wasn’t at a little sushi bar near campus.

I attempted to try sushi in an effort not to disrupt the date he planned, only to quickly admit how I really can’t stomach the vast array of textures .

I’m not sure that even after all of these years, Chance would know what any of my favorite things are. Or if he does, he never cared enough to plan things around them.

I’m brought out of my thoughts when the waiter delivers our food.

Spencer is kind enough not to bring up the fact that I zoned out for the last twenty minutes. I open my mouth to apologize, but he reaches over to grab my hand to say, “Don’t you even dare. I imagine this is weird for you. Wherever you went in your head, it’s okay.”

I feel myself smile. “Thanks, Spence.”

He nods. “However, if you zone out again, I can’t promise that your ravioli will be there when you come out of it.”

I pick up my fork, pointing it at him. “Touch my pasta and I’ll be sure to tell your mom how awful of a date you are.”

Spencer rears back. “Emmaline Mildred Jones! How dare you be so cruel?”

The unbidden snort of laughter that comes out of me is loud enough that an elderly woman two tables over gives me the stink eye. I mouth sorry , then turn to Spencer. “That is not my middle name. Not even close.”

He smirks. “I learn something new about you every day. Because you scream Mildred to me.”

“If we weren’t in a nice restaurant, you’d be wearing some of this sauce on your face.” I’m trying so hard to sound threatening, but his stupid dimple is popping out, making it hard for me to stay strong.

He grabs his napkin, waving it in the air. “I surrender. I don’t know your middle name and that moment called for the full government name.”

“Fair enough. Very southern mama of you.”

“Yeah, yeah. Now, let’s eat up. I need you to have your strength for what I’ve got planned next,” he says with a wink, causing my cheeks to flame.

** *

I can’t contain the smile on my face as we approach the next location for our date.

Spencer definitely had the girls’ help setting this up, because we have never talked about my love of axe throwing. Yet, here we are at Throwback Axe Bar in the city. It opened not too long after I moved to Charleston, but thanks to Chance not being a fan of this hobby of mine, I’ve never visited.

Their whole gimmick is that they only play throwback songs—nothing within the last decade allowed.

Everything about this place is amazing, the music, the décor, the vibes, and right now they’re the only things saving me from wanting to leave. Not that Spencer is a terrible date or anything. Nope. It’s because I forgot just how terrible I am at this activity.

How cruel it is to love something and absolutely stink at it. Spencer’s kind enough not to laugh when my first attempt completely misses the target, ricocheting with a thud, but after the second and third attempt he cannot hold it in any longer.

Rolling my eyes. “Okay. Laugh it up. I know I suck. But I’m having too much fun to care. Let’s see if you can do any better.”

Spencer grabs his axe, relaxes his shoulders as he gets into position, and throws it, hitting the outer ring of the target.

Within the next two throws he inches closer to the bullseye.

He swears he’s never done this before and was just as excited to try it out tonight.

After his last throw of the first round, he turns around smirking.

“I guess I’m just a natural. Maybe I can give you a couple pointers. ”

I scoff, “Whatever. It’s definitely beginner’s luck. Maybe I needed a round to warm up. Just watch me crush your score.”

Only managing to hit the board once, I realize I severely overestimated my skills. Spencer playfully taunts me and when it’s his turn again, every single axe lands. I give in and decide to take him up on giving me tips.

“Alright, well when you throw your axe, you let it go too soon. That’s why it’s not making it down the lane. You need to let your arm get completely parallel to the ground before tossing it. Like this. ”

As he’s talking, he comes up behind me, placing his hand around my wrist, which in turn causes him to be pushed firmly against my backside. I freeze for a second before relaxing.

This isn’t weird, I mean we’re just two friends hanging out, right?

He steps back, telling me to give it a try. With just that one tip, I end up hitting the target. I’ve barely begun to celebrate before it unceremoniously falls to the ground.

Spencer looks at me, chuckling. “You might need some more practice.”

“Oh, hush. We can’t all be amazing the first time.”

Deciding this date can’t go undocumented, I ask him to take a selfie of us before I get too hot. He happily obliges, placing his tattooed arm around my waist, while I hold an axe up. Staring up into the screen, I can’t help but think that we could actually pass for a couple.

A very attractive couple at that .

After a few more rounds we take a much-needed break, and he goes to get us more drinks. I feel my phone start to vibrate in my back pocket. One right after the next, I quickly check my messages in case there’s an emergency and I immediately regret checking it at all.

Unknown

Who the fuck are u out with??

Do u not realize how bad this makes me look?

What if someone from the team saw u? Ur in MY city.

Do u want everyone to think ur a slut? Cause that’s how ur acting.

U let him touch what’s mine

Don’t forget ur nothing without me

Spencer comes back, drinks in hand and senses right away that something has happened.

I pass my phone to him as he sets the tray down.

“I think Chance has someone keeping tabs on me, either that or he’s close by.

How else would he know what I’m doing right now?

I haven’t posted anything yet. I mean I was going to post our picture once we were done here. ”

I watch as he reads the messages, getting angrier with each one. Spencer’s clenching his jaw so hard, I’m worried he’ll end up cracking a tooth.

I gently touch the iron grip that’s holding my phone. “Spence, it’s okay. I’m okay. He just hasn’t come to terms with the fact that it’s over.”

“That still doesn’t give him the right to call you names and lay claim to you after what he did,” he says angrily. “Do you want to leave?”

“No. I don’t want to let him dictate what I can or can’t do anymore. I’m having a great time with you, and this reaction was the whole point of us dating.”

“If you’re sure, we’ll stay for a few more rounds.”

“I’m absolutely sure. I’m just going to text him back really fast and hope I can get my point across again.”

We’ve talked about this already. When we broke up, you lost the right to question what or who I’m doing. We are never, EVER going to get back together. You need to leave me alone.

I block the number, turn off my phone, put it in my bag, then look up at Spencer. “You ready to get your butt whooped?”

“Bring it on, Shortstack.”

** *

After three more rounds, I managed to make it on the board twice.

Meanwhile Spencer has hit it every time and got a bullseye twice. Surprisingly enough, he doesn’t brag that he’s completely kicking my ass. He just continues to give me helpful tips and encouragement. After this round, we’re calling it a night and heading back to our apartments.

On my last throw, I take my time, remembering everything he’s taught me, and end up hitting the bullseye.

I actually did it!

I turn around to see the biggest smile on Spencer’s face. I’m talking huge grin, dimple on full display. He comes over, lifting me with ease, and spins me around. “I knew you could do it Emmy.”

I don’t know what comes over me when I hear him call me Emmy, but I lean down and kiss him. It happens so fast that it takes my brain a second to catch up with what I just did. I can literally feel the heat rushing into my face.

“I’m sorry,” I say quickly. “I think the excitement took over there for a second.”

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.

Painfully slow .

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.”