Best Dating Rules (The Best Girls 2)

“I know,” Spencer snapped. “Josh was here. I saw him downstairs.”

“Yes, he just knocked on the door. He must have learned the code from Charlie last night. It was a total surprise.”

“An unpleasant one as far as I’m concerned. Is Emily available?”

“Sure, she’ll be right out.” He walked toward the bedrooms, calling, “Emily! Spencer’s here to see you.”

His heart hammered in his chest. The last time he’d spoken to her, she’d been sitting at a table with Asher Denning. So much had happened since then, but they hadn’t communicated. She limped into the room, obviously trying, but failing, to appear uninjured.

“Hi Spencer.” Her eyes studied the carpet around his feet.

“I... uhmm... I think I hear Anne calling me.” Gherring disappeared into the bedroom.

Spencer couldn’t help staring at the bruises and cuts that carpeted her legs. “Hi. How do you feel?”

He stood awkwardly in front of her while she perched on the couch. “I’m okay. I didn’t run twenty miles like you did.”

“I… uhmm… I came to see you yesterday, but you’d already gone.”

“I know. I heard. But it was such a long way to the Devil’s Path—I had to leave really early to get there.”

“Why did you ask Becca? You should have called me.”

“I didn’t think you’d answer if I called. Would you have answered?”

“I... I don’t know. I’d like to think so.”

Tears welled in her eyes. “I was desperate.”

“I really hate you went through that. And you have all those cuts all over you.”

“I know. They’re ugly.”

“That’s not what I mean. I don’t want you to be hurt. Ever.”

“I don’t know. I felt like I deserved it... after I lied and everything. I was just flattered, you know. Asher didn’t mean anything—”

“I know. I know. I didn’t... When I thought I’d lost you... When I thought you were... I couldn’t handle it.”

“I’m sorry. And I know you saved my life. They told me—”

“And then Josh saved your life,” he bit out sarcastically.

“Are you mad at me about Josh? I didn’t ask for him to come along, you know.”

“No, I’m not mad at you, but I can’t stand that guy.”

“Honestly, I think I’d probably still be out there, lost on that mountain, if Josh and Brad hadn’t happened by. I was about to turn off the trail because I couldn’t believe my directions were right.”

“He’s a jerk.”

“Funny. He said the same thing about you, and he hadn’t even met you.”

“Well, he really is a jerk, and he’s trying to steal you from me.” He gritted his teeth. “It’s so unfair. You’re not even mine, and he’s trying to take you away.”

“Well, he doesn’t control me. No one controls me.”

“What was he doing up here this morning, anyway?”