Chapter 47

Emma looked him up and down, wondering how this stranger was. He was about as tall as Will, but leaner. He had shoulder length dark hair that was tied in a low ponytail, and bright hazel eyes. She’d gotten so used to seeing men dressed in sharp suits, that she found it refreshing to see someone in normal clothes. *He’s cute,* Emma thought.

​ “Yes, I am. How do you know me?”

​ “I saw your design work on the competition site. I loved it and wanted to meet who the talent behind it was.”

​ “Oh, wow. Thank you,” Emma blushed.

​ “Sorry, for not properly introducing myself, my name is Spencer.”

​ Emma’s brain stopped working.

​ “Spencer? Spencer Lucas?”

​ “Guilty,” he smiled. She almost dropped her blueprints in shock. The brilliant designer she was admiring had just told her that he liked her work. It was the greatest day of life. “May I escort you inside?”

​ “Yes!” Emma shouted in her excitement. “I’m sorry, that was loud. I never thought I would meet you, let alone hearing you like my work! Sorry, I’m so nervous and excited, and I tend to babble when I get nervous.”

​ Spencer laughed, but it wasn’t with derision like when Will laughed. It made her smile.

​ “Yeah, I get nervous around contest time too.”

​ “You? You’re already so successful!”

​ “Thank you. But yes, I do. There are always so many new and promising designers. I suppose I get nervous to meet them.”

​ They continued to chat as he led her inside. They spoke about their preferences and found they loved the same styles and building aesthetics. Emma told him about how she wanted to merge her two dreams. They had so much in common, and he was so easy to talk to.

​ “Wow, Emma. You have an ardent passion for your work. It’s amazing,” he said as she showed him her submission.

​ “Thank you!” Emma blushed furiously. She wasn’t used to compliments. “I could say the same of yours!”

​ Emma hadn’t had such easy company for a long time. Anyone passing them could have mistaken them for a new couple. They submitted their work together, and then milled around the contestant booths. People ran up to greet Spencer. It was like being with a celebrity. He would introduce them to Emma, and tell her about their design style and accomplishments. Not only was he talented and successful, but he was nice and courteous as well. Emma was impressed. In her experience, men did not care about anything that didn’t benefit them. Spencer was sweet, genuine, funny, charming, and cute. His success and popularity hadn’t gone to his head… unlike someone else she knew.

​ Several participants showed Spencer their designs, and Emma was blown away. There was so much talent, there was no way she could win. She doubted she would even pass the first round. The contest structure only allowed the top ten designers into the final. There was no way she would be one of them.

​ “I think you have as good a shot as anyone,” Spencer reassured her. “I’ve seen a lot of design work, and yours is among the best I’ve seen.”

​ “You’re just being nice,” Emma dismissed his compliment, convinced her couldn’t mean it. He held her by the shoulder, and looked deep into her eyes. His smile was warm and comforting.

​ “No, I mean it. Your work is amazing and it’s evident that your whole heart had been poured into it. You’ll pass the first round. I know you will.”

​ It was overwhelming to have someone have that much confidence in her. Other than her friends, who would love and support her no matter what, no one had ever boosted her up like that.

​ “Thank you,” she breathed.

​ “Now go knock ‘em dead. You’re up.” He turned her around and gave her a gentle push in the direction of the judges. Emma took slow, shaky steps towards the judges’ panel. Her breath rattled in her chest, her palms were sweaty, and she felt slightly nauseated.

​ *All normal feelings,* she coached herself. *Nothing weird here. Just walking towards the biggest moment of your life. That’s all.* The panel was comprised of the most distinguished names in architecture. The center judge was an older man with a mop of white hair. They all had copies of Emma’s submitted blueprints and watched as she clumsily assembled her model.

​ “Miss Emma Wells,” the center judge spoke.

​ “Yes?” she squeaked.

​ “I understand that along with your design major, you’ve also chosen to study Psychology with an emphasis in substance abuse counseling, is that correct?”

​ “Yes sir,” she answered, confused by this line of questioning.

​ “Please tell the panel more about that…”

​ The judges didn’t ask Emma about her designs. They were more interesting about her and her ambitions. She wasn’t comfortable talking about herself, but she was very passionate about her future and she hoped that came across to them.

​ “How did it go?” Spencer asked when she came back.

​ “I have no idea. Probably terrible. They didn’t ask me a single question about my work.”

​ “That’s a good sign. That means your work speaks for itself.”

​ “Thank you. I’m so glad I met you today.”

​ “I am too. Listen, I’ve been meaning to ask if you’d like to come and have a drink with me,” Spencer asked with a small smile. Emma was astounded. That was not at all what she expected. She believed that Spencer was just being kind to her, but it seemed that he truly did enjoy her company.

​ “Wow, I would love that. But, my friend and I arranged to meet up today. She’s already here to pick me up.” Emma gestured to Sabrina who was calling her name and waving.

​ “Oh, I see. That’s fine. Maybe next time.”

​ “Yeah, that would be great.”

​ “See you at the final,” Spencer winked and walked off. Sabrina rushed up to Emma, squealing with glee.

​ “Ooh! Who was that! He’s so cute!”

​ “Sabrina!” Emma chastised, but giggled.

​ “I think Emma’s got a crush,” Sabrina sang, jumping up and down.

​ “No! He’s just a friend. He’s a well-known architect and he was giving me some encouragement.”

​ “Mmhmmm, I don’t buy that for one second. Come on, let’s go get a drink to celebrate.”

​ They arrived at bar close by and Sabrina wouldn’t stop gabbing about Spencer.

​ “Girl, did you see how was looking at you? You may not have a crush but he sure does. You two would look be awesome together. Two amazing architects in love? You’d take over the industry!”

​ “You are too much!” Emma laughed.

​ “No, I’m serious! Listen, I’ve been worried about you. Ever since that mess with Matt and whatever weird vibe is happening between you and that Will guy, I’ve been afraid you’re sort of closing yourself off.”

​ “Sabrina,” Emma started, moved by her friend’s concern.

​ “It’s time you move on. And the best way to get over someone…” Sabrina wiggled her eyebrows. “Is to get under someone else.”

​ “Oh my God!” Emma laughed, pushing Sabrina in the shoulder. “You are terrible!”

​ “Come on. Tell me you don’t think he’s cute. Tell me that, and I leave you alone,” Sabrina dared. Emma just laughed.

​ “Fine! He’s hot. There. You happy?”

​ “Yes! Now you gotta hook up with him,” Sabrina sipped her drink. “I can see it all now. You win the contest, and he can’t resist you. Your hot body and sexy brain are too much for him. He whisks you off the stage,” Sabrina embellished. “And he takes you to his impeccably designed home, because of course he designed it, and you two will make sweet passionate love for hours and hours.”

​ Emma’s face was bright red.

​ “You’re crazy!” she cackled. “You’ve officially lost your mind.”

​ “Maybe,” Sabrina nodded. “But tell me that doesn’t sound amazing!”

​ They laughed and joked with each other when Emma’s phone pinged indicating she had a new message. Her eyes flew open when she read the message.

​ “Dear Miss Emma Wells. On behalf of the International Association of Architecture, we would like to formally congratulate you. You have passed the first round of this years Design Conference Competition. We are exciting to see you in the final round.”