Chapter 32
SPENCER
I felt like an imposter. An idiot. In my gut I knew this was a bad idea. A very bad fucking idea. I wouldn’t deny Zoe anything. I never could. I watched her wobble into the bathroom on unsteady legs and couldn’t help but wonder if she was having second thoughts. Even though I’d heard the words fall from her lips, I still wasn’t sure I believed her. The longer she took in the bathroom, the more I regretted slipping between her sheets.
When the door creaked open, my stomach lurched.
My Zoe looked beautiful.
As soon as I saw her I knew why it had taken her so long. She wanted to look pretty. And she did. There was also fear there. I found myself praying it wasn’t me she was afraid of. With her eyes downcast, Zoe flicked off the light and made her way to the bed.
I was already safely nestled beneath the covers. I’d stripped off and slipped into bed while she was hiding. I didn’t want to make this anymore awkward for her than it already was. I thought about saying something, anything to make her more comfortable but I couldn’t find the words. I didn’t need to. My Pippi was strong.
Without a word she climbed in beside me and wiggled as close as she could to her side of the bed. Taking my cue from her, I shifted towards the edge as well and closed my eyes. It was weird, and more than a little intimidating.
The room was silent except for my own heavy breathing. I could hear my heart pounding. I was wide awake. It was going to be a bloody long night.
“Spencer!” Zoe’s meek voice echoed.
“Yeah,” I answered, not even recognising my own voice.
“Stop thinking so damn hard. I can hear you all the way over here,” Zoe teased.
Even through the darkness and the silence she knew. “Sorry,” I conceded, more than a little embarrassed. Only Zoe could know me this well. It scared the shit out of me. We’d barely seen each other through the last couple of years, but in a week everything had changed and I couldn’t imagine my life without her in it.
“Sorry.”
I heard Zoe’s giggle just before she rolled over into my arms. “Princess…” my voice was grave.
“Shut up and sleep, Spencer.”
“Yes, ma’am.” I wrapped her in my arms and settled in for a long, sleepless night.
I was surprised when I woke hours later to the smell of coffee hanging in the air. It had taken what seemed like forever for me to fall asleep but once I was out, I was dead to the world. Rolling over, I stretched out my bone weary body, stunned at how achy I was. When I buried my head in the pillow beside me I was surrounded by Zoe’s familiar scent. I couldn’t restrain the groan. That girl was going to be the death of me.
And then like the torturous wench she was, Zoe appeared. “Morning, sunshine,” she said sweetly.
“Someone’s in a good mood,” I grunted, adjusting the sheet over my lap. Zoe did not need to know what was happening under there.
“I am,” she declared, dropping onto the bed beside me and holding out a steaming mug. “I had the best night’s sleep I’ve had in a while.”
Taking a large mouthful from the cup, I took my time before answering. “Did you now?” I taunted. I couldn’t help myself.
Zoe flushed bright red with embarrassment. I chuckled. I loved getting under that girl’s skin. For some reason Zoe brought out the worst in me, but I wouldn’t have it any other way.
“I hate you,” she grumbled before yanking on the sheet and taking it with her as she waltzed out the door. I was just thankful she didn’t look back. She didn’t need to see what she’d inadvertently uncovered. I needed a shower. A cold one. Right now!
Twenty minutes later, I was showered, shaved and sitting at the kitchen bench sipping my second coffee of the morning. I’d already packed all my stuff into my bag and now it was sitting by the door, taunting me. If I’d been smart I’d already be on the road, but again I was proving how much of a dumb ass I really was.
“Huh,” Zoe sighed as she tipped what was left of her tea down the sink before rinsing the cup and setting it aside. Everything she did looked calculated and measured. Something was off. Zoe was acting weird. She was timid and unsure. Zoe was never timid or unsure.
“What’s up, Princess?”
“What do you mean?”
“Just tell me.”
“Nothing.”
