Chapter 22
CHAPTER 22
EVE
B right light streamed into my small living room as I opened my eyes, wincing as I stretched my stiff neck. I glanced around, desperately trying to recall why I was sleeping on the couch. My burning throat, scratchy and sore as I swallowed reminded me of my cold.
With a groan, I sat up, hoping the pain relievers I was about to down would take away my achy joints and my sore throat.
As I reached for the bottle, I caught sight of the white paper, stark against the marred cherry wood of my coffee table.
Memories of the previous night flooded back into my mind. I’d spent it with Spencer playing Mystic Realms. After being pampered with homemade soup and a bowl of ice cream delivered straight to my couch, we’d spent hours working on a quest, then building a little cabin for me in his virtual world.
The time had flown, and I’d almost forgotten how awful I felt. Spending time with Spencer had done me a world of good.
Suddenly, I realized I felt different–more genuine–with him than in any of my past fleeting relationships. It wasn’t just the soup or the game, it was a sense of being understood and appreciated.
I slid my eyes closed before I read the note, my fingers lingered on the cool paper. And then I’d fallen asleep just as he was about to bring me the oyster crackers I’d requested.
“Smooth, Eve, real smooth.”
My raspy voice reminded me even more of my illness. I must have looked awful when I’d opened the door. A far cry from the carefully put together image Louise always made sure I was before a date with Spencer.
I wondered if I’d ever hear from him again. It didn’t matter, I convinced myself as I pulled his note closer. We were only fake dating, anyway. He had no interest in me.
And that made my heart ache.
I’d felt a connection on our first few dates, but after last night, my feelings had intensified. Those sweet moments spent laughing over his game, particularly when I’d accidentally ended up on the top of a tree without trying, balancing precariously over the world, had only made my heart flutter more.
No other man had ever served me homemade soup because I was sick. Nor had they, with a soft laugh, tugged the game controller from my hands and carefully moved my character back to the ground below without a scratch.
“There you go,” he said as he handed the controller back with a smile. “Safe and sound.”
My fingers had brushed his as I collected it with a smile. I’d hoped the warmth in my cheeks would be mistaken for fever rather than flushing from the moment.
I slapped a hand against my forehead, hating how vulnerable I was in this fake relationship.
“You’re an idiot, Eve. A complete idiot. The man has no interest in you. Stop imagining he does. He probably did all of that because Louise told him to or to convince her that we’re still dating.”
My own words brought tears to my eyes. I chalked up the emotional moment to being sick. Everything was always more intense when you were sick, right?
A hot tear rolled down my cheek and splashed onto the paper below, marking it with evidence of my sorrow in the form of a wet splotch as I forced my glassy eyes to focus on the words.
Hey Eve - You fell asleep, and I didn’t want to wake you. I put the rest of the soup in the fridge for you for tomorrow. Hope you feel better! Spencer
P.S. If you wouldn’t mind texting me to let me know how you’re feeling, I’d appreciate it. Only if you feel up to it.
A smiley face followed the postscript. I sniffled at the words, feeling that connection again despite everything screaming at me that I shouldn’t. Tears filled my eyes for a second time. I tossed the note away and grabbed to the pain relievers as a distraction.
I was setting myself up for a huge fall. After a struggle to open them that culminated with a curse under my breath, I managed to open the bottle and shake two white tablets from it. After downing them with the stale water from last night, I forced myself to get up and refresh the glass.
A knock at my door on my way back to the couch sent my heart soaring as I wondered if it may be Spencer.
I pulled it open to find my sister instead.
“Wow, you look terrible,” Audrey said.
“Thanks,” I answered with a sniffle. At least my red eyes and nose could be attributed to my cold instead of my emotional breakdown over a man I shouldn’t be dating.
Audrey pushed past me and plopped onto the couch, wrinkling her nose at my crumpled blanket and plastic grocery bag brimming with used tissues.
I eased onto the cushion next to her, wrapping up in the fluffy fabric again.
Before I could speak, she grabbed the remote and aimed it at the television. “I doubt you’ll be in a talking mood, so we’ll watch some TV.”
The screen sprang to life, Mystic Realms appearing on it. My avatar sat next to Spencer’s on my new virtual couch. Spencer’s eyes were closed, indicating he was asleep–in other words, not logged in to play.
Audrey’s brow crinkled. “What is this?”
“Mystic Realms. Spencer’s game.”
“You were playing this?”
“Spencer and I were playing it last night. He stopped over with homemade soup for me.”
Audrey arched an eyebrow. “Wow. You managed to inspire a man to make you homemade soup and bring it over while you were sick?”
My pain relievers had yet to kick in, making me feel sufficiently awful to start with. The barbs flowing from my sister only added to my misery.
I took my frustration out by fidgeting with my blanket. “He’s pretty nice.”
She scoffed at the words. “He’s also married.”
“That didn’t stop you from coming on to him the other night when you crashed our date.”
Audrey rolled her eyes. “I didn’t crash your date. I happened to be walking along the beach and saw my sister. What did you want me to do? Ignore you? Then you’d be crying about that.”
“I wouldn’t be crying about it. But you were pretty obvious with those sultry stares.”
“What?” Audrey cried. “Oh, please. Look, I’m sorry that I happen to have a look that men find very sexy.” She slid her eyes sideways to me. “And why would you say that? Did he say something about me?”
“No,” I answered, satisfied that for once my date hadn’t mentioned my sister after meeting her.
“Hmm,” she murmured. “I guess he’s too much of a gentleman to do that. Anyway, so this guy came over and brought you soup?”
“Yeah,” I answered, rubbing my temples to try to alleviate my pounding head.
“Well, I guess that makes sense. He doesn’t have anything to lose here. He’s already married, so you don’t really stand a chance.”
“They’re getting a divorce,” I retorted.
“Yeah,” Audrey answered as she flipped through stations. “Sure, they are. This reads like the script of a rom-com, and you know what happens in those, right?” She focused on me. “The third wheel loses every time. Everyone roots for the couple to realize their marriage is the best thing that’s ever happened to them.”
I fought the tears burning my eyes at her words. I tried to cover them by blowing my nose before I said, “You know, Audrey, I’m really tired. I’m going to take a nap if you don’t mind.”
“Aww, did I hurt your widdle feelings? You know what’s going to hurt worse? Getting dumped by Spencer Whitaker when he inevitably realizes he loves his wife. I’m just trying to help you before you get hurt.”
She had a point, and her words sliced at my heart like a knife.
My sister slapped the couch on either side of her before she rose. “I’m going to leave you here to your delusions. Call me if you want to talk sense anytime soon.”
She sauntered to the door, slamming it behind her as she left. I didn’t even react, slowly sliding my eyes closed instead. My sister had a point, and she wasn’t wrong.
She’d just said all the things I’d been concerned about. And even if she was wrong about him falling for Louise, she’d likely steal him from me.
I couldn’t stand visiting her at his house as she sipped Cristal poolside and he pandered to her. The very thought turned my stomach.
If they started dating, I’d move to another city. Maybe in Alaska.
I grabbed the remote, ready to shut the television off before I shook my head and returned to Mystic Realms . I grabbed the controller Spencer left behind and rubbed my thumb over one of the rounded buttons.
I tried to focus on playing another quest, but it only reminded me of my conflicted feelings for Spencer. With a heavy sigh, I shut the game off and grabbed my phone.
My thumbs hovered over the keyboard before I tossed it away, feeling ridiculous to send him a text, as though he could see inside my heart and knew how I felt.
I snatched it again and typed out a simple message, thanking him for the soup again and apologizing for falling asleep.
As I sent the message on its way, another knock sounded at the door. My shoulders slumped. I didn’t have the energy for Audrey again.
Still, I dragged myself off the couch as the persistent knocking continued. With my mouth hanging open due to my stuffy nose, I tugged the door open, my features shifting as I spotted a sunglasses-clad Louise with her arms full.
“Hi, darlin’! Now, it’s not homemade soup, but I’ve got all the essentials. Chocolate chip cookies, donuts, brownies, and pizza. And I’ve also brought 13 Going on 30, and a few other movies we can enjoy.”
She closed the door behind herself as she paraded into my living room. “Now, I almost booked a therapeutic massage, but I thought you may not be up for it.”
“Thank you, Louise. You thought right. I’m still pretty sick. I can’t wait for the medicine to kick in.” I settled on the couch again with my blanket as Louise slid the pizza onto the coffee table and set down the other goodies.
“The pizza will help.”
“How was your date?” I asked as she pulled a slice of the pie from the box, cheese strings snapping as she did, and placed it on a plate.
“Oh, a bust.” She gave me a dismissive wave. “But that’s no big deal. How was your night with Spencer?”
The grin on her face looked almost conspiratorial as she handed off the pizza.
“Oh, umm, nice. Uh, I fell asleep while he was getting me oyster crackers.” I rolled my eyes.
“Aw, darlin’. Well, you were sick. I’m sure he understood. How was the soup?”
“Excellent. And it helped so much. I was too tired to make anything.”
Louise settled back on my couch with her own slice of pizza, never once wrinkling her nose at my sickly state. “I imagine. But Spencer just…he wanted to take care of you. Isn’t that so sweet of him?”
“Yeah,” I admitted, my own conflicting feelings whirling inside of me.
“That’s it? Come on, sugar. Don’t you want to gush to me about how tender he was, how he brought you that bowl of soup. Did he stroke your hair? Now, I know you probably weren’t up for any canoodling or kissing, but still…did you cuddle? Did he rub your back? I want all the details.”
“I’m sorry, we just…ate soup and played Mystic Realms .”
Louise let her pizza slice slap against her plate, her features turning stony. “He did not make you play that game.”
“I enjoyed it,” I said, my expression brightening as I recalled the experience. “We had fun.”
“Really? Well, sugar, you two really are as well-suited as I thought. I hate that game.”
“Oh, it’s not so bad. We found some rubies, then built a little house for me. It was nice.”
Louise grinned at me. “Look at you. There’s all that gushing. And I think even some blushing.”
She giggled at her rhyme.
“I’m just…warm from the sickness.”
“No, you’re not,” she teased. “You’re falling in love!”
I licked my lips, staring down at the red pepperoni on the pizza. I couldn’t admit my feelings to myself, let alone Louise.
“Aw, this is just fantastic, darlin’. I’m so happy for you. And for Spencer. He’s getting a gem of a woman. Oh my stars. I can’t say how excited I am. Now, when do you think he’ll be down on one knee? Soon?”
“I think you’re getting ahead of yourself, Lou,” I answered.
“Nonsense. He’s falling head over heels for you. I’ll bet it won’t be long. End of summer at the latest, but I’m going to say on the Fourth of July. Stars, fireworks, a shiny ring. Oh, I can’t wait. Now, I understand you’ll probably have to pick your sister to be your maid of honor, but if I could sneak into the bridal party as a bridesmaid, I’d be ever so grateful.”
I heaved a sigh, recalling the morning with Audrey. “At this moment, if I was engaged–which I still maintain is a long way off–I’d prefer you as my maid of honor.”
“Ohhhh!” She squealed as she pounded her feet against the floor. “Eve! I’m so excited for this wedding.”
“It’s not happening yet, so contain yourself.” She shot me a knowing glance, and I quickly changed the subject. “So, what went wrong on your date?”
“He wasn’t really looking for commitment. He wanted to keep his options open. I don’t like a man who can’t commit.” She turned up the volume on the movie, signaling for me to be quiet.
“Lou,” I pressed, needing the answer to one more question, “have you ever wondered what would happen if you just…stuck with Spencer?”
She chuckled as she bit into her pizza, answering while she chewed. “Misery, that’s what, darlin’. We are not well-suited.”
“Oh,” I answered, wondering how true that was. Partners in rom-coms never thought they were well-suited either.
“Eve?” Louise asked.
I twisted to find her staring intensely at me. “Darlin’, this isn’t a romantic comedy. I’m not going to fall for Spencer. I want my own happiness, and it’s not with him. He’s a great guy, but he’s not for me. Okay?”
“Okay,” I said, trying to find confidence in her words, but I only found more sorrow. He was a great guy. A great guy that I was falling in love with, but I could never have.