Page 13 of Game Over

“Dogs are incredibly smart animals, and they’re excellent judges of character. Better than most humans. Studies have shown that most can detect a person who’s untrustworthy before we can. I’m sorry, I’m rambling, aren’t I?” Spencer looked away, but I could see the sheepish look on his face as he toed the ground with his shoe.

“No, it’s okay! That’s interesting. I mean, I’ve heard of studies where some untrained dogs could sense cancer in their owners, and some even knew when the woman was pregnant before she did. They really are smart.” I headed to the cabinet below the sink and pulled out the giant mason jar I used as a vase. While it filled up, I snipped the ends of the flowers before mixing in the plant food and gently arranging them in the jar. “Voila! They’re perfect.”

“Yes, you are,” he said as he stepped closer to me, gently stretching his fingers out to trail them down my arm and grab my hand. I slid my hand into his, and he pulled it up to his mouth and gently kissed it. “You look absolutely stunning, Allie,” he said as he lifted my hand above my head and slowly twirled me around, his eyes slowly raking up and down my body, taking every inch of me in and causing my skin to flush under his gaze.

“Thank you, so do you, and thank you again for the flowers. They're beautiful. I have Dolly already situated. If you’re ready to go?”

“After you, then, sweetheart.” Fuck I liked how that sounded a little too much for someone who needed to stay solely in the friend box right now.

We walked out into the warm night, the evening breeze making the limbs of the willow in the yard sway. It sent the smell of freshly mowed grass, flowers, and a summer storm brewing through the air. Spencer quickly stepped in front of me so he could open the passenger door. I slid into his front seat and buckled up. The first thing I noticed was how clean his car was and how good it smelled too. I’m pretty sure his car was cleaner than mine, actually.

Green flag number two.

Spencer jogged around the front of his car and then quickly slid in and buckled.

“Ready to go?” He asked as he started the car and turned the air conditioning on. Music filtered through the speakers lightly, but I could swear it was Fall Out Boy. I’d know them even in my sleep.

“Yep, all ready! Is that Fall Out Boy playing?”

“Oh yeah, it is, maybe it’s lame, but I still love them, even all these years later.” He chuckled, and I could’ve sworn I saw a faint blush spread across his face.

“No, that isn’t lame at all! They’re actually my favorite band. I have a couple of matching tattoos for them with Emma because we bonded over them, and we’ve seen them live three times now!” I turned to face him a little more as I talked.

“No way, really? You’ll have to show me the tattoos sometime. I haven’t seen them live but would love to.”

“It was seriously some of the most fun we’d ever had. The crowd was so energetic. They’re absolutely amazing. We even got to do this VIP thing they had, which was so cool. We were so exhausted the following days, but it was so worth it.” I hadn’t realized how loud I was being until I noticed how quiet Spencer was because I was so excited. “Sorry about that, I sometimes get louder and louder and don’t realize it. I know it’s obnoxious.” I rubbed my hands together in my lap and hung my head, turning back to face the windshield.

“No, don't apologize, it's cute seeing you talk about something you’re passionate about. I like it.” He rested his hand on the middle console near mine, his pinky grazing mine. The small touch electrified me, and all I wanted to do was have his hand in mine.

We continued to listen to music and chatted off and on till we arrived at the restaurant, which was a very upscale spot nestled in the downtown area of Rosemary Ridge.

“I hope this was okay? I looked around but kept overthinking every place because I wanted it to be perfect.” Spencer asked me while we were looking for a parking spot.

“This looks good! I’ve only been here a couple of times before.” I said back as I swiveled my head around, helping him look for a spot.

“The last time I lived here, this place wasn’t here, so it’s new for me.” Spencer parked the car, but as I unbuckled and moved toward the door, he said. “Wait a second,” before hopping out, running around the front of the car, and opening my door for me.

“Handsome and a gentleman, how did I get so lucky?” I smirked as he took my hand and helped me out, and pulled me closer to him as he closed the door. I could feel my heart stumble over itself as I looked into his eyes. God, they were the most stunning stormy blue eyes I’d ever seen.

“So you think I’m handsome?” He grinned so broadly, those dimples fully on display, and his eyes sparkled with amusement.

I rolled my eyes at him and scoffed. “Oh, please don’t tell me you’re full of yourself. You can’t be hot and full of yourself.”

“So it’s hot now, huh?” I didn’t think he could grin any harder.

“Oh my god, I’m gonna walk away now before I embarrass myself anymore and before your ego grows anymore. Let's head inside.”

He grabbed my chin between his fingers and tilted my head slightly toward him, preventing me from moving. We were so close that if I moved any further, our lips would touch. Friends’ lips could touch, right? That could be totally platonic.

“This is just basic manners and actions anyone should do for their partner. The bare minimum that you should never have to ask for, and they automatically do. Come on, let's go ahead and get inside, sweetheart.”

I swallowed, my mouth dry and suddenly at a loss for words. I nodded my head and turned with him, letting him lead me into the restaurant.

Fuck, I was in over my head.

CHAPTER 7

Just Manifest It