Chapter 52

“Hello Vivian,” Emma rolled her eyes. “You really love to assume that everyone is as perverse as you. This is my friend, Spencer.”

​ “Friend?” Vivian laughed. “That looked a little more than just friendly to me. You just move on from man to man, don’t you? Pretty soon you’ll just have everyone on campus.”

​ “I think you’re confusing me with yourself,” Emma spat back.

​ “I know how you work. You know you aren’t good enough for any man, so you move on to the next one before the current man finds out.”

​ “Excuse me,” Spencer stood up. “I don’t know you, but you have the wrong idea. Emma is my friend, and you are incredibly rude.”

​ People had begun to gather around them due to the commotion.

​ “Let me guess,” Vivian continued. “You’re rich and successful. That’s her type, you know. You looked like you could be smart, but it looks like you’ve fallen for her tricks, just like all the rest of them.”

​ “That’s enough!” Emma stood. “Say what you want about me, but leave him out of this.”

​ “I feel so sad for you,” Vivian ignored Emma. Her voice grew louder, and attracted more attention, which only spurred her on. “You try so hard with all these men. And yet you still somehow showed up with no escort. Because no one wants you.”

​ Emma stood strong, and refused to give into Vivian’s bullying.

​ “Why that little…” she heard Sabrina from the crowd. Before Sabrina reached them, or Emma could defend herself, Spencer stepped in.

​ “I’ve really had just about enough of you,” he scoffed at Vivian. He turned to Emma and smiled. “Emma, how about a dance?”

​ “With me?” she squeaked.

​ “Yes. It wouldn’t be very gentlemanly of me to have such a beautiful woman in front of me and not invite her to dance with me. I couldn’t just leave her alone.”

​ Emma smiled back, her heart warmed by his gesture.

​ “Well, it’s a good thing she isn’t alone,” a voice called over the commotion. Everyone’s eyes followed the voice. The crowd parted and Emma saw it was Will. He looked like a Greek god that had descended Mt. Olympus to walk amongst the mortals. His black suit framed his body. He wore an emerald green shirt underneath with the top few buttons undone, strategically exposing some of his chest. A slow, sexy smirk spread across his face as he saw how Emma watched him. He sauntered towards her. *What is he doing here?* Emma wondered. He had made it every clear that he had no interest in coming to the event, and yet there he was.

​ “Will!” Vivian squealed, throwing herself at him. “You came to surprise me!”

​ “Oh, hi Victoria,” he dismissed her.

​ “It’s Vivian,” she scathed.

​ “Yeah, whatever.” He ignored and continued walking towards Emma, leaving Vivian in the dust with her mouth agape in outrage. Giggles and whispers erupted all around them. He wedged himself in between Spencer and Emma and greeted her with a light kiss.

​ “Hey, baby.”

​ “H-hey,” Emma stammered. In the distance she saw Sabrina mouthing the words “What the hell” at her. She wondered the same thing.

​ “I wish you would have waited for me. We could have come in together. But this,” his eyes looked her up and down. “was worth the surprise. You look gorgeous.”

​ She had to be dreaming. There was no other explanation other than she was in another one of her fantasies. Will would never be this nice to her otherwise.

​ “Thank you,” she answered.

​ “Dance with me,” he offered her a hand. She placed her hand in his.

​ “I don’t know how to dance,” she whispered. Will pulled her in closer, the scent of his cologne enveloping her and further dulling her senses. Nothing made sense to her. *This isn’t really happening. I’m dreaming. I’m sure of it.*

​ “Don’t worry about that,” his voice rumbled in his chest, vibrating through Emma’s skin. “Dance with me.”

​ “Okay,” Emma whispered. Will led her out to the dance floor. She looked back and saw Spencer, an expression of shock plastered on his face. She wanted to feel bad, but her attention was completely wrapped up in Will. A mid-tempo, soulful ballad came on, and Will began their dance. He held her close, and guided her through the steps.

​ “You’re a good dancer,” she breathed.

​ “Pop insisted on lessons when I was young,” he smiled. Before she could say anything else he turned her, eliciting a giggle from her. Turns, lifts, dips. They moved effortlessly together, and they had everyone’s rapt attention.

​ “Everyone is watching us,” she commented.

​ “Really? I hadn’t noticed.” Will continued to lead her through the song, and Emma couldn’t help the face splitting smile that overtook. It was a moment straight from her dreams. Cinderella dancing with her handsome prince.

​ “Why did you come? I thought you didn’t want to.” As glorious as the moment was, Emma couldn’t allow herself to believe it was real.

​ “How is that guy I saw with you?” he asked, ignoring her initial question.

​ “His name is Spencer. I met him at the Architecture Design Contest. He’s a participant, but he’s won it a few times. He’s sweet and very talented. We share similar interests and design aesthetics,” she babbled. “He loves my work. In fact, he offered me a position at his studio after graduation.”

​ “I get it,” Will’s expression fell, and he seemed melancholy for a second. “He’s great.”

​ “Why are you acting so strange tonight?”

​ Will didn’t answer. Instead, he dipped her dramatically and kissed her neck right on time with the end of the song. Applause and cheers exploded around them, and Emma felt her face go bright red. Another more upbeat song came on, and people began to retake the dance floor.

​ “Wow,” Spencer said as he approached them. “That was amazing. Emma, I had no idea you could dance like that.”

​ “Well, I can’t,” her face was on fire. “Spencer, this is Will. Will, this is Spencer. He’s my friend I was telling you about.

​ “Spencer Lucas,” Spencer offered his hand. Will shook it lightly.

​ “William Stewart,” he replied. Spencer’s eyes lit up.

​ “Stewart? As in Stewart industries? What an honor! Emma, you didn’t mention you were friends with William Stewart.”

​ “She also forgets to mention that I’m her fiancé,” Will pulled her closer to him, and Emma froze. Will’s words seemed to echo over the music. Everyone heard him, and Emma wanted the ground to swallow her. “It’s new,” Will continued. “She’s not used to it, yet.”

​ “Oh,” Spencer seemed disappointed. “Well congratulations. I’m happy for you. Please consider my offer to come to my studio. I’m happy to help you in any way.”

​ “That’s very gracious of you,” Will answered. His arm tightened around her shoulder. “We’ll let you know if we ever decide to take you up on that. Won’t we, babe?” Will tucked a finger under Emma’s chin. He leaned down and kissed her. Emma knew that Will was doing this as a show, claiming her in front of everyone.

​ “It was nice to meet you, Spencer,” Will said as he released Emma’s face.

​ “Good to meet you, too.” Spencer was flustered. Emma figured it was because of being uncomfortable with Will’s display of affection.

​ “Let’s go, Emma,” Will said to her. “You look too good and I’d like to keep you to myself tonight.”

​ If at all possible, by that point, Emma’s face went even redder. Blood pounded beneath her skin. How she wished this Will was the real one. Will led her towards the door, dozens of pair of eyes watched them.

​ “See you at the final!” Spencer called right as they were exiting. Emma looked back and waved at him. He seemed forlorn and upset, but Will pulled her away before she could dwell on it any longer.

​ “He likes you,” Will said as they walked towards his car. Emma didn’t answer. *That’s not true,* she thought. *He’s a friend.* “Are you going to see him again?”