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Jill leans in for a hug. “Is Spencer here yet?”
“Shh!” I shove her and Owen through the gate.
“Have fun tonight,” she hoots over her shoulder. “Don’t do anything I wouldn’t do!”
My best friend is trying to kill me.
But now that she’s planted the seed, I can’t help scanning the line for Spencer. I spot him instantly, toward the back. My stomach does a little flip. The sun is setting behind him. With the glow above his hair, he looks like a superhero. Except he’s wearing a green shirt instead of a cape and mask. Also he’s standing next to Kayla.
Now my stomach flops. Big time.
Still I wave, motioning for the two of them to come up to the front. Mrs. Lockhart’s already off with Mr. Dudley, so she can’t see them together now, but maybe I can get them to sit next to her. Spencer waves back, then leans down to say something to Kayla. Now he’s making his way to the front of the line. Without Kayla.
Wait. This wasn’t the plan.
“Normally, I wouldn’t cut the line,” he says. “But my boss told me to …” His voice trails off, and a hint of cologne floats over me. It’s so much better than Mrs. Lockhart’s perfume, I almost weep with joy. And all I want to do is stand here and sniff up this new spicy scent. Spencer looks down at me and smiles.
Please tell me I didn’t say that out loud.
“I’m sure Mrs. Lockhart wanted to talk to everyone,” he says, “but maybe now that she’s gone, we should step back and let the people file through without stopping for conversations?” He arches a brow. “Unless it wasyouridea to greet all of your constituents individually.”
“It was not,” I answer drily. “And if we want to get out of here before midnight, you’re probably right.”
“Leave it to me.” He moves to the gate that’s closer to us and pulls it open wider, so people can funnel through the entrance faster. When Kayla and his parents approach, Spencer hurries to the other side and moves that gate.
“Hi there, Kayla,” I chirp. “Hello, Mr. and Mrs. Crane. Welcome to movie night!” I glance at Spencer, who’s across from me, drawing a line with his finger under his throat like he’s slicing his own head off.
Right. We’re not supposed to be chatting with people.
Once his parents and Kayla are inside, Spencer comes back over to me. I’m about to thank him for his brilliance, when I’m enveloped in a cloud of floral perfume again. She must’ve gotten Mr. Dudley situated, then come back to check on me.
“Well, look at you two.” Mrs. Lockhart appears at my elbow. “You make quite the team, don’t you?”
“Us? Me and Spencer?” I choke, and my face flames up. “Oh no, no, no. There’s no team. Nous two. There’s just me. And him. And we’re not an us. Or together.”
“Take a breath, Tess. My, my.” She sniffs. “Someone might conclude your nervousness is caused by Spencer.”
“Nope. No nerves. No cause. No Spencer.” I shake my head hard enough to knock out a tooth. “In fact, he’s here with Kayla tonight. She’s the one I told you about. From the library.”
“I’m not here with her,” Spencer says.
“Yes, he is.” I widen my eyes, willing him to back me up on this. And technically, what I told the mayor is true. Hewasstanding with her. Here. Which means he was here with her. “Spencer’s just shy about their relationship.” This is also true. I cut my eyes to Mrs. Lockhart and whisper, “Because they work together.”
True, true, true.
“Hmm.” She sniffs again. “Does Bernard know about this?”
“Mr. Dudley?” Spencer frowns. “No. He doesn’t know. I mean, there isn’t anythingto—”
Mrs. Lockhart raises her hand up to interrupt. “Say no more.” She glances over at the growing audience settling in their seats, then lowers her voice. “I understand. Workplace romances are generally verboten, but your secret is safe with me.”
“What secret?” Spencer furrows his brow.
“Shhhh.” She puts a finger to her lips. “I won’t tell a soul.”
“Speaking of Mr. Dudley,” I interject to change the subject, “where is he now?”
The mayor nods primly. “He’s in the front row, saving me a seat. Right where I want him.”
