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Spencer.
He spots me almost immediately.
Relief spreads across his face with practiced precision as he turns toward the cameras, giving them the reaction they came to capture before looking back at me. “There she is.”
The crowd shifts with him, reporters pressing forward until security extends the barrier across the entrance.
A guard steps beside me. “Ms. Love, we can take you through the garage.”
I keep my eyes on Spencer.
If I disappear through a back entrance, every headline tomorrow writes itself.
Emma Love avoids emotional reunion.
Spencer Stone waits in vain.
He’ll get exactly what he came for.
“I’m staying,” I tell the guard before walking to the security line.
Spencer meets me halfway until the officers stop him several feet away. He adjusts his grip on the bouquet, flashes the smile that’s sold interviews, endorsements, and magazine covers for years, then looks at me as though we’re the only two people standing here.
“Please.”
“You have something to say?”
A few reporters exchange glances, but Spencer keeps his attention fixed on me.
“I’ve been trying to reach you. Calls, texts, emails… I figured if I came here, you’d at least listen.”
“I heard every message. I chose not to answer.”
His smile slips before he catches it. “I thought you needed time.”
“I needed distance.”
The bouquet shifts in his hands as another volley of camera flashes lights the plaza. He glances toward the nearest television crew, then back to me with a sad look of regret.
“I know this isn’t ideal, but I wanted you to understand how serious I am.”
“You wanted witnesses.”
Questions fly over each other. “Spencer, was this planned?” “Emma, are you taking him back?”
Neither of us looks away.
“What is this about?” I demand.
“I made mistakes.”
I hold his gaze until the silence stretches longer than he’s comfortable with. “You made choices.”
His jaw flexes. “You really believe everything we had meant so little?”
“I believe you knew exactly what effect the cameras would have.”
The smile disappears completely before he forces another one into place. “I came because I love you.”
