Page 27 of You Found Me (The Meadow Springs #1)

Emmaline

The rest of the BBQ at Theo’s went well.

Spencer introduced me to some of their co-workers, some I already knew from growing up here. He encouraged me to talk to whoever I wanted to, not forcing me to stay by his side the entire time. Though I would catch him watching me from across the room and he’d smile when we’d make eye contact.

Mia didn’t mess with Beckett, thankfully, but I think that was mostly due to the fact that he was busy talking to Piper. Spencer had mentioned what Theo said about Piper being a great baker, and wanted her and Beckett to connect, hopefully even working with her at some point in the future.

While I’ve never known Mia to be the jealous type, she was eyeing the two of them the same way Callum was. And I know for a fact he always gets jealous when men talk to Piper. Their eyes could’ve burned the ground down where they stood.

Today, I have an appointment with someone at the bursar’s office on campus to figure out payment schedules and to pick classes for January. Spencer’s been texting throughout the morning. He was bummed that he no longer drives me to work in the morning, and how he misses our twenty questions games .

But I decided last week that we could cut that out. Chance hasn’t reached out since he posted the photos of us. Maybe he finally got the hint that I was done, and I selfishly hope he’s accepted that I’ve moved on and he does the same.

My phone vibrates with a call from Spencer. I smile at the photo he took of us from our first date then answer. “What are you doing calling me when you’re supposed to be working?”

“I remember you saying you had an appointment in the city today, and funnily enough, I’m also in the city. I needed to pick up some materials for a build. Would you want to have lunch with me?”

I lightly chuckle and say without thinking, “Are you having withdrawals and need your Shortstack fix?”

“I really am. I’ve missed you, Buttercup.”

My heart stops at his sincerity. Even though I was just trying to make it into a joke.

At least I think I was.

Though the flutters in my stomach tell me I liked his response a lot. “Oh,” is the only thing I can come up with.

I must be quiet too long for him because I hear him laugh and ask, “So about lunch?”

“Sorry. I’d love to have lunch with you. I mean, you know how much I love to eat, and I happen to know a place.” I give him the address of a small cafe not far from me, and he says he can be there in half an hour.

I get here earlier than expected and grab a table.

I start to look over the menu when the waitress comes over to ask if I’m ready to order.

I let her know I’m waiting for someone, but I’d love a sweet tea.

She smiles, telling me she’ll be right back with it.

I’m taking out my phone to let Spence know I’m here when I hear a thud against the window.

When I look, I’m startled to see a few people with cameras pointing into the cafe. I can tell that they’re saying something but when I can’t figure out what, I ignore them and continue scrolling through my phone.

A few minutes go by when I hear a voice calling out my name and look up expecting to see Spencer, but to my horror, it’s Chance .

How on Earth did he figure out that I was here?

Before I can say anything, he leans down, kissing me deeply. I’m so stunned that I don’t think to push him away. And that’s when I hear the banging on the window again. The photographers must have known he’d be here.

I gently—as to not make a scene—push him back away from me which he takes as an invite to sit down. My brain finally seems to catch up with the situation. “What are you doing here, Chance? And how did you even know where I’d be?” I whisper.

“Lower your voice and don’t make a scene. I only want to talk to you in person because I know you’d just ignore my calls and texts.”

He’s lucky I don’t scream and instead take a deep breath. “And you really thought ambushing me in a cafe was the right choice? Are you that stupid?”

“We have to talk about the charity benefit. You’re supposed to be my date, and I need you there.”

“Chance, I told you I’m not going to the benefit. I’d like you to leave because I’m meeting someone and they’ll be here soon.”

“I bought your ticket, so you have to go. Who are you waiting for? One of the girls?”

“If you really needed me to be your date, you should have thought about it before you cheated on me,” I say, proud of myself for not backing down.

He grips the hand I have on the table. “Emma, don’t ignore my question. Who are you meeting here?”

I yank my arm back. “Not that it’s any of your business, but I’m meeting my boyfriend. You need to move on because I have. Are you not still seeing the woman you cheated on me with?”

“Who the fuck are you dating?” Chance asks, his voice getting louder.

“You answer my question, and I’ll answer yours. Otherwise, this conversation is done.”

“Jesus Christ, okay,” he huffs out, irritated. “No, I’m not still seeing her. Kari and I are done.”

Kari was the other woman. How could I have been so stupid?

“How could you do that to not only me, but Grayson as well? He’s your teammate—your captain. Is that why you hated him so much?”

“You’re overreacting. I was stressed out from the move and joining a new team and Kari was there.”

“You can’t be serious. I was right there, Chance.

I have always been right there. From the moment we met, I was all-in but the same obviously can’t be said for you.

You chose to find solace in someone new and shiny, over the person you supposedly loved for years and were about to marry.

You deserve to be alone for the rest of your miserable life. ”

The anger I feel right now is something I never wanted to experience, and apparently angry me is a crier. I grab my purse and excuse myself to the bathroom. Instead of opening the door to the restroom, I slip out the back door of the restaurant.

Once in the car, I call Spencer.

“Spence, he had photographers outside. When he came in, he kissed me and had them capture the moment. I’m so sorry. Is there a chance your mom doesn’t read gossip magazines?”

“Buttercup, I’m not worried about that. I just want to know if you’re okay? Did he hurt you?”

“I’m fine. Just pissed that he was able to make me cry again. And I didn’t even get to eat,” I say in frustration.

Chuckling, he offers, “Well, how about we go to Edie’s? Or if you don’t feel like being in public, I’ll pick lunch up and we can eat at my place.”

Why couldn’t Chance be like Spencer? He’s so sweet and understanding and everything I could want in a partner. So much so that sometimes I find myself wishing this was real.

What the hell?

I can’t think like that. It will only muddy the waters for us. I shove the traitorous feelings down. “Can we eat at your apartment? I don’t really want to be out right now.”

“Of course. It’s why I offered. What would you like?”

“At this point, all I want is a peanut butter milkshake.”

“You got it. I’ll go straight to Edie’s and let you know when I’m headed back with the food. See you soon, Shortstack,” he says.

** *

An hour later, Spencer and I are sitting on his couch eating burgers, fries, and milkshakes.

He must have remembered the way I liked my burgers from that first day in the diner because it’s exactly how I’d order it myself—no tomato, extra pickles and cheese, with mayo and mustard.

Has he always been paying attention to me?

Finishing up his burger, I watch as he wipes his mouth and hands before turning towards me. “So . . . do you want to talk about what happened today?”

I sigh, “No, but I know I need to. Otherwise, it’ll eat at me. First, I want to say I had no clue he was going to do that. Fake or not, I would never cheat. I know how that feels, and I refuse to make someone as sweet and wonderful as you, feel an ounce of the way he’s made me feel.”

“Emmy—”

“Second,” I say, interrupting him. “I don’t want to ruin this for you if your mom sees those pictures. That’s not really a good look for your girlfriend to be kissing another man. I don’t want to embarrass you or your family.”

He waits to see if I’m finished, so I give him a nod to go ahead.

“I never for once thought you knew he planned that. I’ve had a sneaking feeling that he’s been plotting something like this for a bit, why else would he stop texting and calling you every day?”

Spencer moves closer to me, taking my hand in his.

“I’m sorry that you had to deal with his bullshit again, but I don’t want you to worry about what my mom will or won’t think.

I actually haven’t said anything to her about you, but that’s mostly because we’ve been too busy to talk.

She’d insist on meeting you again and then embarrass me.

Like full on bringing out the worst of the worst baby photos. ”

“Thank you for putting up with me. I’m sorry I’m such a hot mess. ”

“Oh, you’re definitely hot,” he tells me with his signature smirk. “But I wouldn’t call you a mess. Maybe more like a car crash.”

I smack his hand at the comment, which causes him to throw his head back laughing. “I’m so telling your mama you said that. And that’s how she’ll find out you’ve been keeping your girlfriend a secret.”

He gasps, before leaning over and flicking my nose. I retaliate by reaching over to pinch his inner arm, but at the same time he moves, and I end up pinching his nipple. The sound that comes out of his mouth is comical. So is the look on his face.

“Did you really just pinch my nipple?”

I’m trying to compose myself but it’s nearly impossible. He’s so shocked. “I didn’t mean to, Spence. I swear.”

“You play dirty and I’m not sure I like that,” he sighs dramatically. “My nipple really hurts.”

“Oh my god, you big baby. I barely did it. And to be fair, I was going for your arm, but you moved.”

He grabs the collar of his shirt, peeking into it. “It’s already bruising!”

“You are being so extra. There’s no way it’s already bruised.”

I watch as he lifts the hem of his T-shirt, exposing his very obviously unbruised nipple. “ See. Bruised.”

Instead of calling him out again, I go along with it. “Oh Spence, I do see the bruise. I’m so sorry. You want me to kiss it better?”

His pout drops for a second before he quickly puts it back in place. “I mean, I wouldn’t say no to a kiss. It really does hurt.”

He’s joking with me because he’s seen my playful side. Spencer isn’t saying this in a manipulative way. Not how Chance would be treating this situation. And that makes me want to be bold.

Which is why I get up onto my knees on the couch, lean in, and place the softest kiss on his nipple. I hear a small sound from the back of his throat and pull back to look at him. His cheeks are flushed.

“Does it feel better now?” I ask with false bravado .

Spencer can only nod, before he quickly gets up, excusing himself. I watch as he quickly walks down the hall into what I assume is his bedroom.

Did I make a mistake in doing that? Do I just get up and leave? Or wait for him to come out?

I contemplate it for so long that he ends up walking back into the living room. I stand up and walk over to him. “Spence, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to cross the line.”

“Emmy, Buttercup. You didn’t cross a line. Trust me. I just needed a minute, otherwise I would’ve embarrassed myself.”

“Oh,” I feel my face heat. “Well, I’m glad I didn’t. But I think I should be going. I’ve taken up enough of your time and feel like a clown after what I did.” I gather up my trash. “Thank you for lunch.”

“You aren’t a clown. I’m the one who started this. You don’t have to go.”

“It’s okay. I’ve got some packets to look over for classes,” I say as I walk to the door. “Do you think we could start the car rides up again?”

“Of course. I was going to show up at your door Monday morning either way. I’ll be the one holding your coffee and cinnamon roll.”

Now the blush I feel burning on my cheeks is for a whole other reason. “Thanks. I’ll see you then, if not before.”