But not before Jon takes it between his teeth and bites it, making Rand squeal as it pops in his face.
I’m still laughing as the two of them face off over a mound of flowers, but Rand seems to be the only one who has ever held a flower.
He makes me a gorgeous bouquet in the time allocated, winning the time with me.
But before I can lead Rand away, Leo comes up with a question about the dance, and then Dylan has compliments about my dress.
And then Spencer is there. “This is Rand’s time,” I tell him, glancing around to see Rand joking off to the side with Jon.
“I know. I’m not arguing today,” Spencer tells me.
“Well, I can argue whenever I want,” I decide.
“That sounds like the annoyed little girl who couldn’t have her friend live with her instead of me.”
My eyes narrow and I wish I’d escaped with Rand when I had the chance. “Why are you bringing that up? I didn’t have a problem with you there.”
“No, but you didn’t like it.”
“Why wouldn’t I like it? You were always on my side. You made my brothers spend time with me.”
“They wanted to.”
“That’s what everyone says, but I don’t really believe it. I… liked… you being there,” I admit. “When you went away…”
How did we start talking about this? There is so much I need to say to Spencer, and we’re talking about when he moved to the castle when he was a kid?
“Did you miss me then?” Spencer asks in a low voice. His silvery grey eyes catch my gaze and hold it, like he held my hand in the hot tub.
And like then, I start to feel like a block of butter left out in the sun. The way his gaze doesn’t falter. The determined jut to his chin.
The way that suit fits him so perfectly, even rumpled with grass stains from when he tripped over Liam.
The way Spencer laughed as he fell…
I nod.
“Would you miss me now? If I went away?” Spencer doesn’t wait for me to reply. “Lyra, why don’t you just give me a rose and we’ll figure this out once and for all?”
33
Spencer
I
neverknewwhattoexpect by coming on this show, but it was not that.
It hurts seeing Lyra walk away with another man, although I cheer along with everyone else when Rand wins.
He’s a good guy, so I can’t begrudge him the win.
They all seem like good guys.
I didn’t expect the sense of comradery between us. It’s kind of like when I spend time with the princes.
We stand around the back of the hotel and watch Rand, hand in hand with Lyra.
“This is the worst part of it.” Liam comes up beside me. “Seeing her happy with someone else.”
