Chapter 20 - Andie
Chapter Twenty - Andie
Less than a week in Chicago, and I have experienced one hell of an emotional rollercoaster ride.
It’s one ride I didn’t plan or anticipate.
My emotions have been unstable to say the least since Cody’s death, and having a new mix of fear, lust, and intrigue leaves me a little on edge.
Hesitant to see what changes are in store for me, I am trying to focus on enjoying the mystery dinner Maddie set up for us tonight.
Getting ready this morning, I find myself automatically racing to grab the ring again before pausing.
I had a minor setback at the beginning but managed to have lunch with Spencer and a breakdown with Maddie.
Not once did I think about going to the safe to pull the necklace back out.
I worked through my emotions each time without it.
The realization should probably worry me, but instead, I feel . . . lighter.
The thought dawns on me that maybe Maddie’s right about trying to heal and be happy again. Tonight feels like a good opportunity to test the waters. Maybe I’ll try to go the entire evening without reaching for something that’s not there.
She has been super excited about this idea all day but gives no hints on what she has in store.
She promises this is going to be a fantastic experience, and only requests that I dress nicely for our time together.
So be it, Maddie. Challenge accepted, let’s take that step forward and enjoy our night.
Heading out to dinner, I was not expecting Dylan to be standing there in the entry, ready to greet us as we make our way out of the elevator doors.
It’s obvious she can read my mind by the way I’m glaring at her.
Don’t get me wrong, I like Dylan, but she hyped up girl time and now it’s a group activity, just like the club.
Ignoring me, she runs up and throws her arms around him, kissing him.
I saunter my way over, awkwardly standing next to them like the third wheel in a sex adventure.
The pang of jealousy courses through me as I watch them together.
I can’t remember the last time a guy made Maddie this happy, it’s honestly refreshing.
Usually, the guys she dates are just a one-and-done kind of date, but even though Dylan isn’t what I consider a catch, she clearly sees him as her catch.
“You look stunning,” Dylan says as Maddie twirls in a circle to show her outfit off before she turns to me. “I hope you don’t mind. I invited Dylan.”
“Good to see you, Andie, you look great,” Dylan tells me.
“Nope, don’t mind at all. It’s good to see you again, Dylan.” I mind a little, but if Maddie’s happy then it really isn’t a big deal.
We make our way to the taxi, and I’m thankful I can look out at the city while Maddie and Dylan plaster their faces together like two horny high schoolers as the driver merges with traffic.
“Andie, you’ll love this place, it has an observation deck and the most amazing view of the city. It’s so romantic,” she says.
“Can’t wait,” I tell her sarcastically. Maddie means well, but a fancy restaurant girl, I am not. The fanciest we have is a small-town steakhouse or a Bob’s Burger joint. I also don’t need romance when I’m currently single, alone, and fighting a mental battle with my feelings.
As we walk towards the building, I see a familiar face that stops me like an invisible wall has shot up in front of me. Spencer, what is he doing here? Did he know I was going to be here?
Maddie brushes past me and puts her hand out. “Well, Mr. Tall-Dark-and-Heroic, it is so good to see you again.” She looks back at me with a smile.
“Spencer, please,” he requests, although I secretly think Maddie likes his nickname.
“Well then, Spencer, glad you could make it. Oh, this is my boyfriend Dylan, and you already know Andie.”
“Nice to meet you, man.” Dylan says, reaching out with his free hand to shake Spencer’s hand while keeping Maddie pulled close with his other arm.
“Shall we?” Maddie escapes Dylan’s embrace to wrap her arm around mine and begins to walk through the entrance.
“Why is he here Maddie?”
“Okay, don’t be mad, but I think you’re wrong. This could be good for you. So . . . I may have texted him while you were in the shower and I may have invited him to dinner. You really shouldn’t have left his card out on your dresser.”
“What?” I practically shriek as the guys look at us with alarm. “I want to choke you, Maddie.”
“Later—or maybe let him choke you a little. Maybe then you’ll loosen up a bit. But for now, just talk with him and see where things go.”
After the most uncomfortable elevator ride I’ve ever been on, Spencer stops me as the others go to talk with the hostess.
“I’m beginning to have the feeling you didn’t know I was coming.”
“Actually no, sorry,” I confess.
“Do you want me to leave? I can go if this isn’t what you want?” I want him to stay, even though a part of me says I should tell him to go. I’m flustered with the endless conflict raging in my head. The look of hope I see in his eyes though, gives me the courage to tell him to stay.
“Yes . . . I mean no.” Tilting his head I can tell I just baffled him even more. “What I’m trying to say is, no I don’t want you to go and yes, I’d like you to join us.”
“Good, because I really didn’t want to leave you.
It would be devastating to leave a gorgeous girl like you alone here to be the third wheel with her friends.
” God this guy is good. Every time he talks I like him a little more.
I feel the heat of his hand as it connects with my lower back, and it feels so good.
“What do you mean we don’t have a table? I confirmed the reservation only an hour ago. Check again please.” Maddie is livid with the hostess.
“I’m sorry I still don’t see your name on our list, and we are fully booked, you’ll have to reserve another night.”
“This is bullshit,” Maddie tells Dylan.
While she’s trying to figure out the next move I turn to Spencer. “I’m sorry, I guess we’ll have to reschedule.”
The man exudes confidence as he walks up to the hostess. What the hell is he doing? Inching a little closer, I try to hear the conversation.
“Good evening.” You can tell Spencer is accustomed to being admired, the girl’s eyes shimmer, and her smile grows.
“How can I help you, sir?”
“Can you find a table for four. The name is Spencer Tate.” She looks down, glancing through the list and looking back up.
She looks uneasy as she tells him his name isn’t on the reservation list either.
She had no problem telling Maddie there were no tables.
I wonder why it’s different to tell Spencer.
“I’m fully aware but can you do me a favor and please check with your manager to see if he has a table for us?
Thank you.” Spencer speaks with the calm yet firm tone of someone who’s never heard the words “we’re fully booked” in his life.
The hostess practically trips over herself to comply, like a new nurse who’s being yelled at by the attending physician.
She walks right up to the manager with no questions asked. It isn’t until I see the manager make his way towards Spencer that my surprise truly sets in. “Mr. Tate, good to see you again, what can I do for you, sir?”
“It appears my friends’ reservation got lost, and I came all this way to have dinner with this beautiful lady right here and our guests. I don’t suppose you have a table open for us tonight?”
“Of course, sir, right this way.”
Seriously, who is this man? What is it about Spencer that gives him so much pull?
Dumbfounded by what just transpired, it doesn’t even faze me when his hand finds my back again to guide me to our seats. It’s so natural for him to take that possessive position making sure the rest of the room knows I’m off limits. I look up at him as we walk and simply ask, “How?”
“How what?”
My head shakes as I gesture at the table. “Ahh the table. It’s nothing. I have a lot of meetings here.” I nod in understanding as he pulls out my chair like a true gentleman before he takes his seat next to me.
Once we’re settled and have ordered, Maddie can’t contain her curiosity any longer.
“Okay, Spencer I have to ask,” she says, leaning forward.
“What was that back there? The hostess wouldn’t give me the time of day, but you—” She holds her glass out to Spencer.
Chuckling, he takes it, pouring the wine, continuing with the vague responses.
“The manager is a business acquaintance, that’s all.”
“Business acquaintance, my ass. What do you do?” She grabs the glass back from him, taking a sip.
“I’m in real estate—investments and development to be exact. I bring many clients here for business dinners, so him and I have developed a good relationship over the years. It’s profitable for both of us.”
“So, you’re like . . . super successful and rich then?” Maddie presses, earning a kick under the table from me.
“Maddie!” I protest, my cheeks heating up.
“What? I’m just looking out for you,” she says unapologetically. “Dylan, come on, back me up here.”
“Oh no. I’m staying out of this one,” Dylan says, taking a drink from his bourbon to silence his opinion.
Spencer takes everything Maddie throws his way with class though.
“I do well for myself, but more importantly, I hope I’m proving I’m worth getting to know.
” His eyes meet mine as he turns to look at me.
It’s a good thing I’m sitting else his wink would have me weak at the knees. “That’s all I’m really hoping for.”
The finest wine, an abundance of conversation, and laughter provide for a highly successful evening.
As dinner finishes, Spencer decides he wants to show me the observation deck.
Reaching for my hand, he guides me to look out at the city.
Remembering my fear of heights, he does exactly as he promised earlier at Willis Tower and protects me by keeping me close to his side.
“Trust me, I’ve got you,” he whispers, echoing what he’d said yesterday. “Just like yesterday, focus on the view and my voice, not the height.”
Letting him guide me with no evident hesitation, I sink into his touch.
We have only known each other for a short time, but there is a deeper connection here.
One I never thought I would find again. Fascination courses through me as I take in the differences between country life and the city.
No stars are in sight as the lights of the buildings overpower them, but the view of the lake, with the city’s colors reflected off the water, is still beautiful to look at.
Spencer is right behind me as his arms wrap around mine, capturing us together.
My arms are tucked in front of me as if I’m hugging myself, but it’s his warmth on top of them, squeezing me closer to his body that makes me feel safe.
No more words, no thoughts, simply silence.
A much-needed silence that I have been seeking since I left my home and came here.
Staying well past most guests, Maddie notices the staff cleaning up around the room.
With the kitchen closing down, she suggests getting back to the hotel.
We make our way to the main lobby to catch a taxi outside.
I can tell Spencer doesn’t want this night to end. If I’m being honest, neither do I.
As the taxi pulls up Maddie and Dylan slide into the seat. “Are you coming, Andie?” I glance over at Spencer, but when he doesn’t say anything, I start getting closer to the taxi door.
“Actually, I . . .” His abrupt words had me stopping, giddy with anticipation, “. . . I was hoping I would take Andie home myself, if that’s okay with her.” With a big smile on her face, Maddie starts to close the door.
“Have fun you two, and I’ll see you at home. Don’t do anything I wouldn’t do.” We let the taxi pull away from the curb before taking our evening stroll with each other’s company.