The gala.
His smile falters, and I can’t quite read him, but it’s clear we both know what I mean. The night we met.
He’s about to respond when a mic squeals and someone at the front calls out, “Alright, everybody, time for some fun! We’re kicking off ourHow Well Do You Know Carter and Serena?Trivia game!Teams of four—let’s go!”
Before I can react, a gorgeous brunette in a red cocktail dress rushes up—Samantha, I think. One of Serena’s college roommates.
She grabs Spencer’s arm like she owns it. “Come on, we need you! You’ve known Carter forever, right?”
Spencer smiles politely, then nods toward me. “Sorry, I’m already paired up with Rhea, his sister.”
It’s not just polite. It’ssincere.The way he says it without hesitation makes something stir in my chest—a little flicker of… joy? Hope?
“Better yet,” she says, waving us over to the four-top where her boyfriend, Adam, awaits.
Apparently, Adam works with Serena’s brother, and between the four of us, we’re a trivia dream team.
Carter’s favorite cereal?Cinnamon Toast Crunch.
The one class Serena dropped in college? Intro to Philosophy
Carter’s childhood TV obsession?MythBusters.
First date location?That weird fondue place in Cambridge.
Who said “I love you” first?Carter.Samantha knows that one by heart.
At one point, Adam leans in and whispers, “How many freakouts did Serena have during the thirty-minute rehearsal?”
We all burst out laughing. Samantha nearly spits her drink across the table.
By the end, we’re high-fiving, celebrating, riding the buzz of shared victory and collective snark.
Later, when the crowd is thinning, Spencer and I drift toward the bar again—just the two of us now.
It’s quieter. Softer.
I swirl the last of my wine in the glass and glance up at him.
“So,” I begin, my voice low, steady. “It’s been a long time…”
TWENTY
SPENCER
She’s so damn beautiful.
And funny. And kind. And real.
I watch her swirl the last of her wine, trying to figure out where to start. When she finally looks up at me, she says, “So, it’s been a long time…”
I swallow.
Wanting to be careful.
Wanting to do this right.
“I meant what I said earlier. I should have reached out. The very next day.” I pause. “I regret that I didn’t.”
