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“What gym do you climb at?” he asked Spencer.
“Uhmm...” He looked uncertainly at Charlie.
“Or if you want, you could concede now,” said Josh. “You could admit I won—that I got the better of you. It’s okay. There’s really no shame in being a member of the weaker sex.”
Charlie’s lips pressed into an angry line. “Tell him where we’re climbing, Spencer.”
“Are you and Grace coming?” Josh asked, interrupting Brad’s laughter.
“I wouldn’t miss it for anything.”
*****
“What the heck was that? What happened with Josh and Charlie?” asked Spencer. He’d finally managed to get a moment alone with Emily. Brad and Josh had departed together, and Charlie was helping his sisters wash dishes. Spencer and Emily were going for a walk down the street to fetch milk for his mother.
Emily chuckled. “I think Josh decided it’s more fun to chase Charlie than to chase me.”
“Does that mean the doctor won’t be making any more early morning house calls?”
“I’m fairly certain. I think he just likes a challenge, and Charlie puts up a great fight. I feel sorry for Charlie, though. She was only protecting me when everything got turned around on her.”
“I should have just punched him out this morning when I saw him in the lobby.”
“There’s no need to be jealous of Josh. I don’t even like him.”
“Is there someone I should be jealous of? If not Asher Denning, someone else? What I really want to know is… Are we dating exclusively?”
“That’s the only way I’d ever date you. I don’t date around.”
“Good.” Relief flooded him. “I realized we hadn’t actually specified. I... You need to know... I really like you. A lot. More than I’ve ever liked another girl.” He hoped that was saying enough, but not too much. If he professed love, she’d probably literally run away, despite her sprained ankle.
“I like you, too.”
Warmth flooded him from his head to his toes. He stopped and turned to face her, pulling her into a hug.
“Spencer, we’re in public.”
“There’s no one anywhere near us, and no one is watching.” He squeezed her tightly, his hands on the small of her back, while he nuzzled her hair. He loved the way she smelled—her hair, her skin, everything. His hands slid up to cup her face, and he lifted her chin, lowering his mouth to hers. But as his lips feathered lightly against hers, she drew back.
“I... I can’t.”
“Seriously, Emily. No one is watching.” He tried to renew their kiss.
“It’s not that. I just don’t think we need to be kissing right now.”
“Why not?”
“Well, kissing leads to other things—more physical things. And I think we need to be ready for more commitment before we do that.”
“No more kissing?”
“At least for a while, until we’re, you know... more committed.”
“Okay.” He agreed with his mouth, but not his head. His mind was replaying their first kiss. How soft her lips felt. The caress of her tongue against his. How responsive she was. His heart sped up at the mere thought of kissing Emily. He’d have to find a way around this new rule. He took her hand in his. “Let’s go get the milk.”
He didn’t broach the subject during the entire expedition. Upon their return to the concrete steps outside their apartment he sat down, patting the space beside him.
“I’m not quite ready to face the crowd.” She sat beside him, and he picked up her hand, caressing her fingers. “Your hands are so elegant. They seem like an artist’s hands.” He lifted her hand to his lips and lightly kissed each digit, nibbling softly with his lips. Her eyelids fluttered closed. He leaned against the side rail and put his left arm around her, pulling her against him, cradling her head against his shoulder. His right hand came up and caressed the line of her jaw. “Your skin is so soft and beautiful, and I love that you don’t wear any makeup.”
