Best Dating Rules: A Romantic Comedy (The Best Girls Book 2) (35 page)

Spencer debated his options, deciding he didn’t have any. If she still didn’t believe him, still didn’t trust him, what could he do? He could find the pictures on Facebook and try to prove he wasn’t with Becca. But Emily claimed it wouldn’t make a difference, anyway. Telling her the truth about his experience level was his final shot. If she turned him down now, he didn’t have anything else to offer.

But at least they were finally alone, without an audience—for a few minutes, anyway. He’d simply have to declare his love to her, and face refusal if it came. It would be easier not having Josh and Brad witness his rejection.

He moved to kneel in front of her while she sat motionless, regarding him with wary eyes.

“Emily...” He reached out for her hand, but a loud knock interrupted his words.

“I wonder who that could be.” She leaped to the door, squinting through the peephole. “It’s Grace and Olivia.”

He attempted to hide his annoyance as she jerked the door open. His sisters exclaimed when they spotted their friend.

“Emily!” Grace wrapped her in a bear hug. “I’m so glad you’re okay. We were all worried. I didn’t even know you were here. I just came over to talk to Brad before he left for work.”

“Why did you run off like that?” asked Olivia. “Spencer must have done something worse than he said.”

Grace spied Spencer on the floor and stomped over to stand before him with hands planted on her hips. “And there he is on his knees. I hope he’s begging for forgiveness. What did you do?”

He moaned, bending over to bang his head on the floor in total frustration. “I didn’t do anything. It was a set-up!”

Brad walked out from his bedroom. “Hey, Grace. You need to see the picture Emily got. I have to say it’s pretty convincing.”

Spencer glared at him, but Brad laughed. “Why are you on the floor? Are you groveling?”

He was climbing to his feet when Josh came out of the back, carrying his laptop. He handed it to Spencer and smiled, clapping him on the back.

“Here you go, buddy. Prove your innocence.”

“Grace, will you lock up when you go? We’ve got to head for work. I’ll call you after if it’s not too late.” Brad gave her a quick hug and a kiss.

“Grace and Olivia could go with you. Emily and I will be glad to lock up the place,” suggested Spencer, as he searched madly for the dance studio’s Facebook page.

“That’s okay,” said Grace. “We’ll just stay a while. I want to see this picture Brad’s talking about.”

As Brad and Josh left the apartment, Emily pulled out her phone, displaying the picture for Grace and Olivia, who both gasped audibly.

“Spencer!” said Grace. “When did this happen? You told me you hadn’t dated anyone before Emily.”

“Becca framed me. Look! Look at these pictures. It was a dance class.”

“You were in a dance class?” asked Olivia, looking more astonished than she had at the image of Becca’s passionate kiss.

Grace took the computer, and the three girls studied the pictures.

“Oh yeah. There he is dancing with an older lady. Here he’s with another pretty girl. I’m not sure this proves anything except you were dancing with other girls.”

“Look at this one, where I’m dancing with Becca. Can’t you tell I don’t want to be with her?”

“Well he does look pretty disgusted in this one, where she’s kind of hanging on his leg.” Olivia chuckled.

A giggle escaped from behind Emily’s fingers. “And this one, right after the kissing picture.”

“Oh yeah,” Grace agreed with a grin. “His face is a little nauseated. That’s really not a good look for you brother.”

“And what were you doing in a dance class?” asked Olivia. “And why wasn’t Emily with you?”

Spencer tried futilely to keep the exasperation from his voice. “I wanted to surprise Emily because she loves to dance. I knew she wanted to dance at Sam and Tanner’s wedding.”

“I guess it was kind of sweet,” admitted Emily.

“When did you have time to take dance lessons?” demanded Grace. “I thought you were working to buy her a ring.”

“You knew about that?” said Emily. “Why didn’t he tell me he wanted to get married?”

“Spencer!” Grace scolded. “You were supposed to talk to her.”

“It was only a misunderstanding… But we could talk right now if you two would leave us alone.”

“You bought the ring?” asked Grace with excitement.

“Not yet. But I did ask her parents for permission. And Charlie was going to help me pick out a setting.”

“So you pretty much talked to everybody but me.” Emily’s eyes flashed with resentment.

“I told you... I thought that’s what we were talking about—”

“Well did you at least tell her you loved her? Did she know you hadn’t dated anyone else?” Grace turned to Emily. “You know, he had all of us fooled on that one. When we found out he’d never even kissed a girl before—”

“He’d never kissed a girl before? He didn’t tell me that. He just said he’d never
been
with a girl.”

Grace frowned at Spencer. “Am I right brother? Tell the truth.”

“Why not? Total humiliation seems to be the order of the day.”

He turned to face Emily with his face burning. “Here it is. I’d never kissed a single girl before I kissed you. None at all. I was always waiting for a special girl to come along, and it just took twenty-five years for that to happen. So there you go. I’m a nerd. I’m totally inexperienced. I’m a fake. Oh, and by the way, in case I didn’t make it clear before, I’m totally head-over-heels in love with you.”

He squeezed his eyes shut and waited for the sound of her laughter. After a few seconds of silence he cracked one eye open to see what she was doing. She was standing stock still, staring at him, her huge almond-shaped blue eyes brimming with tears.

“I’m sorry—I always say the wrong thing. Please, don’t cry. I’ll leave you alone. I promise. I won’t bother you anymore.”

He fought the urge to pull her into his arms and comfort her. How had he made such a mess of things? He clenched his eyes, reaching up to pull his hair in frustration. He flinched as he felt her surge against him, wrapping her arms around his waist and wetting his shirt with her tears.

He let his arms fall around her and rubbed her back, squeezing her against him and nuzzling her damp curls. He was totally confused. Did she like him or did she despise him? Was she angry or had she forgiven him? Did she believe him? Why would she cry and then hug him? This must be some type of farewell hug. She was crying because they were breaking up. He closed his eyes and willed it to last as long as possible.

“Too bad you don’t have that ring, Spencer,” sniffed Grace. He opened his eyes in confusion to find Grace and Olivia both crying and hugging each other. Girls were so weird. Why were they all crying?

He was thinking it was a good thing he hadn’t already bought the ring or destroyed her grandmother’s ring. He guessed he could give it back to her since he wasn’t going to use the diamonds. He refused to let himself think about another guy making it into an engagement ring for her. He pulled one hand down to reach into his pocket and pull out the ring box.

“Here,” he said, holding out the box. “I guess I won’t be needing this.”

Emily pulled away and gazed at the ring box balanced on his fingers. She picked it up with trembling hands and opened it.

“Oh!” she cried. “It’s my Grandmother’s ring! I’ve always loved this ring!”

She pulled the ring out of the box and slipped it on her left hand. It fit perfectly. Then she started crying afresh, throwing herself back into Spencer’s arms. This time Spencer kept his eyes open, patting her back and watching in bewilderment as his sisters went on another crying-hugging spree.

Grace furrowed her eyebrows. “Kiss her, Spencer—she accepted.”

“Accepted what?”

“You’re engaged, you idiot.” Grace laughed. “Congratulations!”

Emily thought it wa
s
a perfect day. Oh, the wedding hadn’t been perfect. Her new shoes made a blister on her toe while they were taking pictures, so she’d discarded them to make her way down the aisle barefooted. The flower girl, one of Spencer’s cousins, had run all the way to the altar without throwing any petals, while the ring bearer had refused to take a single step down the aisle. Throughout the ceremony, Josh had been smiling and waggling his eyebrows at Charlie who vacillated between spearing him with her glares and refusing to make eye contact at all. Her sister had been furious with Spencer for choosing Josh as his best man, resulting in their pairing during the wedding ceremony. But over the last four and a half months, Spencer and Josh had become amazingly good friends. Spencer somehow credited Josh with helping him get engaged by providing the computer to prove his innocence, although secretly, Emily knew she would have believed him anyway.

But when Spencer squeezed her hand under the tablecloth, she felt a marvelous joy. She was married to an amazing boy, no—an amazing man. He was not only handsome and smart, but he adored her in every way. He’d already proven he’d do anything to protect her and care for her. And she knew with absolute confidence he loved her and would always love her and only her. And she returned that love with all of her heart.

Parts of the wedding had been storybook perfect. The beautiful classical music emanating from the grand piano. Walking down the aisle with Steven. Standing before the stained glass windows that decorated the front of the church with Charlie and all four of Spencer’s sisters as bridesmaids. Her mother, crying and hugging her, radiantly beautiful despite being eight months pregnant with twins.

And she definitely looked pregnant now.

Steven’s Gram, the tiny, feisty, ninety-six-year-old, held hands with Gus while describing her recent marriage to the ninety-one-year-old as robbing the cradle. Gram had insisted on buying Emily’s wedding gown, arguing she loved buying dresses for her granddaughters. It had cost way more than Emily was comfortable with, but wearing it made her feel like a fairy princess.

Altogether, it was an amazing day.

Spencer pulled up her left hand and kissed it, gazing fondly at the new band nestled next to her grandmother’s ring. “I still can’t believe you didn’t want a new engagement ring. I think you deserve a bigger diamond.”

Emily rolled her eyes. They’d had this discussion so many times. “But I don’t like big, flashy diamonds. And this is exactly what I wanted, plus it’s sentimental. Anyway, you put plenty of diamonds on the wedding band.”

“Yes, but none of them are very big.”

“Size isn’t important.”

He grinned impudently, whispering in her ear, “It will be tonight.”

“Spencer!” She knew her face was flaming, as if the entire group of guests could hear.

Josh laughed and joked with the rest of the wedding party, but his heart wasn’t in it. His mind was on the tall, beautiful maid of honor with the big golden eyes. He’d thought she was beautiful before, but he’d never seen her in a dress with her hair down. His breath caught in his throat whenever he looked at her. His eyes drank her in as his chest constricted so tightly he was certain his heart wasn’t beating.

He’d hoped when they saw each other on the wedding weekend, Charlie would... What had he hoped for? That she would suddenly decide she was in love with him? That she would decide to transfer to NYU in the spring so they could be together? No, he hadn’t really even hoped she would start accepting his phone calls. He’d hoped when they were together, he could talk to her. That he could convince her to give him an opportunity to prove himself. That he could show her how much he’d changed. That she would see how different he was. That she would give him a fighting chance.

The band was playing, and guests, young and old, were having fun on the dance floor. When Bohemian Rhapsody played, even Anne Gherring was dancing, swearing she couldn’t possibly sit down for this one. There was a variety of music, including oldies, current songs, waltzes, salsas, and tangos. Spencer and Emily had taken more dance classes together, and were showing off their talents to the guests. Josh noticed Charlie was sitting down during a waltz, with a wistful expression, and he moved to stand in front of her.

He held out his hand. “May I have the pleasure of this dance, my fair lady?” He tried to appear confident and suave, but his heart was hammering in his chest. He knew she would turn him down.

His twinkling eyes dimmed as she hesitated. “Josh, I really don’t think it’s a good idea—”

“Please? It’s a waltz. You barely have to touch me.”

“I’m really not that graceful.”

He laughed. “I’m graceful enough for both of us.” He could see her waffling in her refusal. “Come on, you know you want to dance. It’ll be fun, even with me.”

With a sigh, she took his proffered hand. Regrettably, he noted it was probably sweaty, since he was incredibly nervous in her company. What was it about this girl that made him so uncomfortable in his own skin?

They twirled smoothly around the dance floor. He’d intended to keep up a merry banter to entertain her, but the scent of her hair and the movement of her waist beneath his fingers distracted him. Her right hand trembled slightly in his grasp, but her face remained serene. He pulled her close to him when they turned so she brushed lightly against his chest. He enjoyed the contact so much he turned them as often as possible, until they were both stumbling a bit from dizziness.

Forced to abandon the wild spinning, he smiled unrepentantly. “Sorry. I got a little vertiginous, but it was worth it.”

“Vertiginous?”

“Like vertigo—it means dizzy. But turning is fun, don’t you agree?” When she didn’t respond, he tried a new approach. “Spencer and Emily look very happy together, don’t you think?”

She pressed her lips together in a firm line, refusing to engage. He decided to bait her a bit. “It’s nice to see you in a dress. You look like a real woman.”

“I beg your pardon! Wearing a dress has nothing to do with being a woman. I happen to think it’s demeaning to insist women wear dresses.”

“Oh, I would never insist you wear a dress.
Au contraire
. I’d be perfectly happy if you wore nothing at all.”

“And I’d be perfectly happy if you wore nothing. In fact, I wouldn’t even notice.”

“Ow! That hurt.” He grinned, glad for any attention, even if it was negative.

The song switched to a slow dance, and Charlie moved as if to leave. But he held onto her hand. “Please... Can’t we talk, only for a minute?”

“There’s no use, Josh. Why do you keep pursuing me?”

He pulled her back to him, lifting her hands and placing them on his shoulders, and setting his at her waist. “See, nothing indecent—just a dance and some conversation. Tell me about school.”

“It’s fine.”

He waited for further comment, but none came. “Charlie, I don’t understand why you won’t even give me a chance.”

She was silent for a moment, and he thought she wouldn’t respond. But then the deluge came.

“We’re too different, Josh. We live in different states, we have different dreams, and we have different beliefs and values. You believe in casual sex, and that’s fine for you. But I’m the absolute opposite of that. Can’t you see? There’s no hope.”

“There’s no hope because you refuse to allow it. I’m changing. I’ve already changed. I’m not the same man you met six months ago, but you won’t give me an opportunity to prove it.”

“Why are you trying to change into something different to please me? You were fine and happy before you met me. There were obviously lots and lots of women who liked you just the way you were. Why try to change into something you’re not?”

“But that’s the thing. I wasn’t fine and happy before I met you. I was miserable, and I didn’t even know it. And now I’ve met you, so I know I could be really happy if I changed and you loved me. But, you won’t give me a chance, so I’m still miserable.”

“So, you’re saying meeting me took you from being blissfully ignorant about how miserable you were to consciously aware of how miserable you are.”

“You’re twisting my words.” He ground his teeth together, searching for something to say, anything to break through her barriers. “Charlie... Don’t you miss me, even a little? Don’t you ever think about that kiss?”

She was quiet for a moment. “Josh... Okay, I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t physically attracted to you. There. Are you happy? But, that’s not enough to build a relationship on.”

His mind was spinning. This was his moment, his only opportunity. She’d finally at least admitted to an attraction. If that attraction was all he had to work with, he’d have to improvise.

“So, physically, you could see yourself being married to me? I mean, if I was a different guy with this body and this face, you could love me?”

Her cheeks were so red, he thought she might be in pain.

“I… That’s… Okay, yes, I mean, if you were someone else. But—”

“So, what’s he like? This other guy? This someone else you’re going to marry someday?”

“I… Honestly, I don’t think he exists. I don’t think there’s a guy I’m willing to give up all my independence for. I don’t really need a guy, anyway.”

“But if he did exist, what would he be like?”

“I don’t know. I don’t spend time thinking about it.” She frowned, pursing her lips. “I guess he’d be a partner. I don’t need someone to take care of me like a parent. And… He’d have some cool job, like, I don’t know… Maybe he’d be a fireman. Someone brave and adventurous who helps people. Not someone who spends his whole life working to make more money. And he’d be the sort of guy who only wanted to be with one woman for the rest of his life. I don’t want to constantly think I’m being compared with someone else—and probably coming up short.”

Josh was quiet for a moment, contemplating her words. “Thank you. At least I understand what you want, and how you see me.” He couldn’t hide the hurt in his voice.

“Josh, I’m sorry—”

“No, it’s okay. It’s my fault. You hit closer to home than you realize. That’s pretty much who I was, but not who I am, and not who intend to be.” He took a deep breath and blew it out through his lips. “But let me ask you one thing. You don’t think you could ever love a doctor? Not even an adventurous doctor who wanted to help people?”

Charlie felt her face flushing again. She had so little control around this man. It was one of the reasons he made her feel so uncomfortable. When he’d asked her the first question, she’d tried to come up with a description he couldn’t possibly fit. It probably wasn’t even true. She had no idea who she wanted to spend the rest of her life with or who she could ever be in love with. She only knew her attraction to Josh made her lose the ability to think logically. When she was with him she always lost the upper hand, and she needed that advantage to compete. What was she supposed to say to his question since he was making it specific? What was a safe thing to say?

She was distressed to find tears flooding her eyes. What on earth was wrong with her? She blinked furiously, but a few escaped onto her cheeks. “I don’t know,” she answered truthfully, pulling her hands away, attempting to escape before he noticed her tears.

“Wait, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to make you cry.” He pulled her back against him and wrapped his arms around her. The floodgates broke. She’d been working so hard to be independent and not accept any financial assistance from Steven. But her workload, along with classes and studying, had been overwhelming. And she’d felt so alone and isolated in Colorado with her family across the country in New York City, but she hadn’t wanted to admit it to anyone. She hated admitting she was wrong. She’d always hated it. She was so incredibly stressed, but refused to let anyone know. She didn’t want to burden her pregnant mom or her sister who was planning a wedding. Now, wrapped in the Josh’s arms, she realized how much she missed feeling cared for and comforted. The tears kept coming, even while she tried desperately to stop them.

He led her back to her chair and handed her a clean napkin. Then he knelt down in front of her, peering intently into her eyes as she sniffed. She noticed for the first time his green eyes had little flecks of blue in them.

“Charlie. I’m not going to do this to you anymore. I love you, and I want to be with you. But, I want you to be happy even more. I can’t stand that I made you cry. I’m really sorry. I won’t bother you any more. But, please... If you ever change your mind, please come find me.” Before she could react, he leaned in and brushed his lips lightly against hers. And he was gone.

Anne was enjoying playing mother-of-the-bride. She even had old friends from college who’d made the trip to come and see Emily get married. They’d laughed and talked about old times, and harassed her mercilessly about being pregnant.

“This is a pretty desperate move just to make your boobs bigger,” teased Alice.

“I think she did it to get out of exercising,” said Katherine.

Anne chuckled. “Really, I was sad because all my old stretch marks were fading, and I missed them.”

“So, where are they going on their honeymoon?” asked Debbie.