Best Dating Rules (The Best Girls 2)

“Uhmm... Do you want to ask me anything? Or would you rather not know?”

Of course he wanted to know, but he needed to make a clean break. He couldn’t bear being hurt any more. No, it was better if he didn’t know anything. The less he knew about Emily, the better.

“No. I don’t think I want to know. It’s... It’s too hard to think about her. I can’t handle it—not anymore.”

“Okay. I understand. But, Spencer—”

“Look. You can still be friends. I just can’t.”

“So, it’s impossible now? I mean, what would it take for you to give her a second chance?”

“I don’t know. I guess...” He laughed harshly, “I guess if she suspended all of her rules and did something dangerous to be with me, like she did for that Asher Denning guy. Maybe that would mean something.”

“Spencer. You don’t really want her to do something stupid again. You know she’s really sorry—”

“I don’t want to hear it, Gracie. Look. I love you, but I don’t want to talk about her right now. I’m going to sleep, and I’m going on a really long overnight hike tomorrow. When I come back on Sunday, I hope I’ll be okay enough to stand seeing her at work on Monday. That’s about as good as it’s going to get for me.”

“Okay. I understand. Will I see you for Sunday night dinner?”

“Sure. I’ll be there. I told Momma we’d cook hamburgers on the grill.”

“See you, Spencer.”

“Bye, Gracie.”

*****

Emily couldn’t hear what Spencer was saying to Grace, but she got the gist of it. Grace hung up the phone and turned wary eyes to Emily.

“He doesn’t want anything to do with me, does he? I told you, Grace. I hurt him too badly.”

“Emily, I think he just needs time. He said he’s going to bed early, and he’s going on an overnight hike. He’s a physical guy. He needs to work out his anger. He’ll probably be better by Monday.”

“Oh right. Earlier, you were telling me I should call and talk to him or go see him. Now you’re telling me he might be better by Monday.”

“He was angrier than I thought. I think it’d be better if I talk to him at family dinner on Sunday night. I can feel him out and help you plan a strategy for Monday.”

“What did he say, Grace?” Charlie asked. “What did he say when you asked him what it’d take to give her a second chance?”

“He was only spouting off.”

“It was something impossible, wasn’t it?” asked Emily.

“He didn’t mean it. He’s just mad about Asher. He said something about you breaking rules and doing something dangerous to be with him. But it doesn’t make any sense, and he knows it.”

“I would do it,” declared Emily. “I would do something dangerous for him.”

“Maybe we could stage something dangerous. Like, you could jump out and push him out of the way of a bus or something,” Charlie said.

“No, I’ve got a better idea,” laughed Grace. “What if we string up a tight rope between two buildings, and you could walk across and bring him some life-saving medicine?”

“I’m glad you two can laugh.” Emily pouted.

“Cheer up,” said Charlie. “You’re alive to fight another day. The Sister I know would never give up.”

“We’ll figure something out,” said Grace. “I’ll talk to you tomorrow. I’m beat. Someone kept me up really late last night.” She chuckled as she gave Emily a goodbye hug. “Hang in there, okay?”

“I’ll walk you out, Grace,” said Charlie. “Hopefully, Emily will get to go home tonight. And Steven promised to get us tickets to a play tomorrow night. Maybe you could come.”