Page 23 of You Found Me (The Meadow Springs #1)

Spencer

Monday after dropping Emmaline off, I made a pitstop at the diner for a fajita omelet.

In the fifteen minutes it took for Edie to bring out my to-go order, two women, on two separate occasions, came up to me. The first one, Serena, boldly asked me out. No “hello,” no “how are you?” Just sat down at my table, leaned into me and said, “I’m Serena. Would you like to go out sometime?”

And I have to give it to her, I respect a bold gesture. Her voice shook a little as she spoke, but she looked proud of herself for asking. It honestly made me feel a little bad telling her no. But she took it in stride, walking away with her head held high.

Not even five minutes later, a different woman, Ginger, came over and came on strong.

She had asked me out before, right after I moved to town and I politely declined.

She still left some things at the front desk of the Wildflower Inn for me, including her number.

I never reached out, hoping she’d get the hint.

Clearly, she hadn’t.

Ginger tried giving me her number again, and when I politely declined, stating I have a girlfriend, she laughed.

She actually laughed before stating, “I haven’t seen you with anyone recently and I heard through the grapevine that you’ve told everyone you weren’t in the market to date. Until I see someone on your arm, I’m going to keep trying to get you.”

She stood up to leave, coming to my side, and ran her fingers through my hair before giving a tug.

Edie chose right then to bring out my food. She laughed and said, “Watch out for that one.”

With a smile, I shook my head. “I’m sure I can handle her if she becomes a problem.”

“Don’t say I didn’t warn you,” is all she said before walking to the back, laughing her ass off.

Needless to say, I’ve been trying to steer clear of Edie’s. Which as luck would have it worked out this week, seeing as it’s only Wednesday and work here, and in Willow Beach, has been absolutely insane. Not that I don’t mind it.

I’m just so exhausted by the end of the day that other than playing twenty questions with Emmaline, I haven’t talked much to anyone else.

This morning was no different.

“What are your favorite drinks?” she asks me once we’re in the truck. “Like if you could have an endless fountain filled with a beverage, or beverages, what would those be?”

I laugh because her questions range from what people would consider slightly too deep to adorably silly. However, I like doing this with her.

“It would have three nozzles: one for black coffee, one for iced tea, and one for old-fashioneds. A drink for every occasion. What about you?”

Emmaline smiles. “Those feel very fitting for you. Even though black coffee is so bitter and you’re not.

For me, white chocolate mochas—hot or iced, and flavored sparkling water that changes flavors weekly.

While I occasionally drink wine, it’s just not my go to, so seltzers would be my third choice. ”

“I feel like that’s cheating a little, but I’ll give it to you. Do you have any pet peeves?”

“Absolutely,” she says with speed. “It drives me insane when someone clicks their pens over and over, when someone takes a phone call in public on speaker, not closing lids completely, and someone repeatedly clearing their throat. ”

“I raise your pet peeves and give you mine: silverware scraping against teeth, people standing up as soon as the plane lands, touching cotton balls, dirty dishes being left in the sink overnight, and meetings that should have been an email.”

Emmaline chuckles. “We’re quite a pair.”

“That we are, Shortstack.”

She smiles, slightly shaking her head. “Is there anything you regret not doing in life?”

“Not coming to work with Theo sooner.”

“Really? I didn’t know he’d tried to get you here before this year.”

“I’m a hot commodity,” I waggle my brows at her.

“Seriously though, he’d been asking since before graduation to meet with his dad for an interview.

I knew I’d love to work with his company, but I didn’t want to get a job based on who I knew.

I wanted a job where I was picked because of my skill and passion.

Not saying that Mr. Callahan didn’t look at those factors when he offered me this job.

However, I doubt they were the only reason. ”

“Mr. Callahan wouldn’t hire you simply because you’re a friend of Theo’s. I promise. I’m sure he looked at your portfolio and carefully considered you.”

“I’d like to think so,” I tell her with a shrug. “What about you? Any regrets?”

“Letting Chance talk me out of getting my master’s. By now, I could’ve been done and already working as a Family Nurse Practitioner.”

“There’s no time like the present, Emmaline. You’d ace the program.”

I watch as she fidgets with her fingers, pulling on each of them. “Actually, as soon as I moved back to Meadow Springs, I researched and applied to a master’s program.”

“Emmy, that’s amazing. I hope you know I’ll help in any way I can. Even if I’m just your sweet treat dealer.”

“Thank you, Spence,” she says with a smile. “Oh, wait. What happened yesterday after dropping me at work? We got to the apartment before you could tell me. ”

Laughing, I tell her about the interactions with Serena and Ginger. And while she laughs, it isn’t her usual, carefree laugh. It feels a little forced.

“Sounds like we need to go on a date in town. Otherwise, the vultures will continue to surround you,” Emmaline says in a perturbed tone.

“I saw a flyer for the Fall Festival this weekend. We could make our Meadow Springs debut there.”

“Oh my gosh, yes. I’ve missed going. We can even post more photos of us. Really put it out there that we’re together.”

“Sounds like a plan,” I say as we’re pulling into the hospital parking lot. “But are you sure you want to post more? He might pull the same crap he did after our first date.”

A few days after she posted the picture from our date, Chance posted a slideshow of photos of the two of them on all of his socials. Including pictures from after they’d gotten engaged with the caption saying things like: Can’t wait to marry this beautiful woman.

When I asked her if she was okay with everything, she said yes, and it was fine that he’s posting stuff. Her logic is if he’s doing that, he’s not directly harassing her.

But I see it for what it is, he’s laying claim on her.

And there’s this part of me—definitely the less intelligent part—that wants to claim her as my own.

I mean, I know I’m not what she wants. She just ended a long relationship and wants to focus on herself, as well as her friends.

But . . . I still want to be what she needs.

“He might,” she answers my question as she unbuckles her seatbelt. “It’ll be okay though.”

I get out quickly, making my way over to her door. “Well, if you change your mind, let me know.”

“I will. I’ll see you later tonight?”

“I’ll be here. Have a good day at work,” I say, leaning in to kiss her forehead.

Smiling, she says, “You too, Spence.”

** *

Work was pretty chill in comparison to the last two days.

I’m still just as exhausted, which is why I’ve been staring at the contents of my fridge for the last ten minutes trying to decide what I want for dinner.

A knock on my door pulls me out of my contemplation.

I’m not expecting anyone so I’m not sure who it is.

When I open the door and Ginger is standing there, I’m surprised.

More surprised that she’s in a long, black coat.

It’s September in South Carolina. There’s no need for a jacket like that and I’m scared of what’s not underneath. If my mother had taken less care in how well-mannered she raised Beckett and me, I’d have already shut the door on her. But no, I don’t do that because that would be rude.

Instead I gently ask, “Ginger, what are you doing here?”

Rather than saying anything, she smirks, pulling the belt loose.

Good god.

I was right to be scared because she’s in nothing but tassel pasties, lace panties, and thigh-high stockings.

I feel like this could be a dream for some guys but for me, it’s a nightmare. The pasties and panties are neon green. My eyes actually hurt looking at her. She takes my staring as a good sign and tries coming inside.

I put my hand up across the door frame to stop her. “We just had a discussion about how I’m dating someone. So why are you here, dressed like that?”

“And like I said, I don’t believe you. You’ve been so adamant when rejecting anyone who comes on to you with the excuse of ‘not wanting a girlfriend,’ or ‘I need to focus on work.’ I have a hard time buying that you’re suddenly taken.”

She slowly inches her way closer to me, touching my chest, and I freeze. Luckily, my phone starts ringing and the relief I feel is instantaneous when I see Emmaline’s name.

I quickly answer, “Hey, baby girl. What’s going on?”

I hear the confusion in her voice. “Uh, hi . . . am I catching you at a bad time?”

“There’s never a bad moment when it comes to you. ”

“Okay . . . I got relieved from work early and was calling to see if you could come get me now. Although, it sounds like you’re being held hostage or something. I’ll just call Mia.”

“Close enough,” I mumble. “I’ll be there in less than ten.”

“Okay. Let me know when you get here.”

“Will do. Bye baby.”

After I hang up, I reach over to the entryway table to grab my keys.

“Ginger, it’s been . . . something. I have to go now. Please don’t come back here. I have a girlfriend and am not a cheater.”

I leave, not caring that Ginger is calling after me. I feel like I need a shower. Thank god Emmaline called when she did. I obviously wouldn’t have let her inside, but if someone had seen and it got back to Emmaline—it would’ve been bad.

Pulling up to the hospital, I send a text, letting her know I’m here and get out of my truck to wait by the main door. When she comes out, she’s wearing a mask.

“Are you sick?” I ask through a laugh.