Chapter 93

While Grace and Will’s relationship was crumbling, Emma and Spencer’s relationship was flourishing. They were growing closer and closer. No lines had been crossed and Emma never showed any interest in progressing them towards anything more. But Spencer was drowning in his emotions for her. He didn’t want to ruin things between them, so he was holding back from saying anything.
They spent almost all of their free time together. Coming to his office in Lyncrest brought a new thrill. The office was growing and was getting more and more projects. But it was also his chance to see Emma. She had been the highlight of his days. He was attracted to her when they first met; he wasn’t sure when that attraction had morphed into something more.
Emma was happier than ever before. She was laughing and smiling all the time. And while her life definitely didn’t take the turns she planned; she was happy. At the core of her, she felt that something could be missing. She ignored that feeling as best she could.
“How are you?” she asked Sabrina during their weekly phone call.
“Ugh, girl I’m getting so big. I feel like a potato with legs. Everything is so swollen. They say pineapple helps with that, so you know I’m about have Magnolia buy me a pineapple farm,” she laughed.
“I barely even look pregnant. My baby bump is tiny. But my ankles look like tree stumps. It’s getting hard to walk to work.”
“I don’t know why you keep trying to walk. Spencer will arrange a driver for you, if you’d ask.”
“I know he would, which is why I won’t ask. He does so much for me already. I can’t take more advantage of him.”
“It wouldn’t be taking advantage of him if you were together.”
“I already told you that’s not a thing.”
“You know that man is in love with you.”
“We are friends. He’s almost on a level with you.”
“Almost,” Sabrina chuckled. “He better not take my number one spot. I’ll knock you both out.”
“Oh, I know it,” Emma smiled.
“But seriously, Emma. Why don’t you want to be with Spencer? You’re not still hung up on Will, are you?”
“No, but it’s complicated. I’m having his baby. I can’t just jump to another man like that. It feels… wrong.”
“Spencer would totally be that baby’s father. He probably already feels like he is. Emma, his world revolves around you and your baby. He practically lives in the apartment when he’s there.”
“He doesn’t spend the night.”
“I ought to drive over there and slap you right now. He is the perfect gentleman. What is wrong with you?”
“I…,” Emma sighed. “I just can’t. I’m happy with the way things are.”
“If you say so. If you’re happy, then I’m happy. I just think you could be happier.”
“I’m okay, Sabrina,” Emma assured her friend. “I really am.” Emma’s doorbell rang. “I got to go. Spencer is here.”
“Okay. Tell him I say hi. And just… think about it.”
“Bye.”
Emma hung up with Sabrina and let Spencer in.
“Hey,” he greeted her with a quick hug. “Sorry, I’m late.”
“It’s okay. I was on the phone with Sabrina. She said hi.”
Spencer smiled at the phantom greeting. He was jittery and seemed nervous. His eyes were a dam bursting at the seams. A tidal wave of emotions hid within them.
“What do you want to do?”
“Nothing that involves walking,” Emma joked. “My ankles are so puffy; it feels like there are bricks strapped to be legs.”
“I can have a massage booked for you.”
“That’s sweet. I have one scheduled for next weekend already.”
“Good. Then how about we work on the nursery today?”
“I’d like that!”
Emmett had requested that his room be turned into his grandchild’s nursery. It was part of the reason Emma suspected he didn’t want to leave the facility. He really seemed to love it there.
Spencer had the hospital equipment moved out a few weeks prior and the walls were painted a soothing mint green. Emma wanted a garden theme. There was flowers, vines and trees painted along the top of the room. The furniture and linens were shades of cream. The ceiling had a mural of the sky right after sunset splashed across it. A plush cream carpet was placed in front of the crib and a comfortable, fluffy rocking chair sat in the corner. There was more to do and more things to get, but Emma was pleased with what they had so far.
Spencer and Emma were folding the clothes they had recently gotten and lining them up in the closet.
“We definitely need a dresser next,” Emma commented.
“Uh huh,” Spencer seemed to be somewhere else.
“Are you okay? You’ve been sort of… off since you got here.”
“Have I? I’m sorry. I have a lot on my mind,” he put down the clothes he had and looked at Emma.
“Anything I can do?”
Spencer laughed without humor. It was a sad, forlorn sound.
“That’s the problem. I don’t know if you can.”
“What’s going on?”
Spencer took a deep breath and faced Emma.
“I… I’m in love with you, Emma,” he blurted out. Emma froze. “It started out as admiration for your work when I saw your submission for the contest. Then when we met, I was instantly attracted to you. Then I got to know you, and you’re just this smart, sexy, amazing woman and I couldn’t get you out of my head. I had to be near you. And as we got closer, my feelings got deeper and before I knew it, I was in love with you.”
“Spencer…” Emma felt bulldozed by this confession. Everyone was right. Spencer went to her and took her hands in his.
“Please let me finish. I know you’re carrying another man’s child. And I don’t care. I will care for your baby and love your baby however it is you want me to. But I also need you to know that I will understand if you don’t feel the same way. I don’t want to push you into anything, or make you feel like things will be different. I just hope that when you’re ready to move into a new chapter in your life, I’m the page you land on.”
Emma’s eyes were wide. Spencer’s declaration was more than she anticipated. Sabrina and her father had told her that Spencer had feelings for her, but the depths of those feeling were beyond what she was prepared for. The worst part was that she knew that she should be ecstatic. What woman wouldn’t be overjoyed to have someone like Spencer want to be with them? Why wasn’t she excited?
“Please say something,” Spencer asked.
“I…” Emma couldn’t find them words. She didn’t want to hurt him. “Part of me is happy to hear all of this. But a larger part of me is terrified. You’re an important part of my life. I don’t have it in me to reciprocate those feelings. You’re my best friend. I don’t want to lose you, but I’m not ready. I don’t know when or if I’ll be ready.”
“Nothing will change. I’ll be here for you no matter. I can wait. I can wait as long as it takes, but I need you know that I don’t expect anything from you at all. I promise nothing is going to change between us. I just couldn’t hold back anymore. I needed you to know.”
Spencer was true to his word. The very next day went by as though he hadn’t said anything. Nothing had changed at all. It was a well-known fact at the office that Emma and Spencer were friends. But it was also clear that he didn’t show her any favoritism. She was held to the same standard as everyone else, and that did not change after he bared his soul to her.
Her baby bump continued to grow, and Spencer continued to care for her whenever he was available. They spent just as much time together, preparing for the arrival of Emma’s baby.
But they were unaware of the eyes that were following them. At every turn, a camera snapped photos of them. Their movements were monitored, and at the other end, Grace was watching. She was always watching.