Between Two Hearts

Chapter 32

Shelly POV

The words hung in the air between us, heavy and heart-stopping.

"I like you."

I opened my mouth to respond, but the words were caught somewhere in my throat. Spencer’s gray eyes were fixed on me, so full of sincerity and vulnerability that I had to look away. My heart pounded like a drum, loud enough for me to wonder if he could hear it too. I had to say something—anything. But how could I, when my feelings were just as tangled and chaotic as my thoughts?

“I…” I started, but before I could form a coherent sentence, the sound of a soft knock on my door interrupted us.

I froze.

Spencer’s hands were still cradling my face, and his lips were so close I could feel his breath on my skin. He seemed to realize the intrusion at the same time as I did because he reluctantly let go and stepped back, though his gaze never left mine.

“Shelly? Are you awake?” Dolly’s voice called out softly from behind the door.

My heart sank. Of all the times for her to check on me, it had to be now.

I gestured frantically at Spencer to hide, pointing toward the closet. He raised an eyebrow, a mischievous grin tugging at the corners of his lips, but he didn’t argue. With one smooth motion, he slipped into the closet, closing the door just as I opened mine.

Dolly stood there, her messy bun tilted to the side, her bowl of ice cream still in hand. She looked at me curiously.

“Why are you still awake? And why is your face so red?” she asked, her eyes narrowing in suspicion.

“I-I’m fine,” I stammered, forcing a smile. “Just… cleaning up a little before bed.”

She squinted at me but didn’t press further. “Alright, but don’t stay up too late. You know you’ve got to take Shaina to her school orientation tomorrow.”

“Of course. Goodnight, Dolly,” I said quickly, hoping she’d leave before she noticed anything unusual.

She nodded, turned, and shuffled back down the hallway. I waited until I heard her door click shut before exhaling a long breath.

The closet door creaked open, and Spencer stepped out, his amused grin back in place.

“She almost caught us,” he teased, his voice low and filled with humor.

I glared at him, though I couldn’t stop the small smile creeping onto my lips. “You shouldn’t even be here.”

“But I am,” he said simply, stepping closer. “And I’m not leaving until you give me an answer.”

“An answer to what?” I asked, though I already knew.

“To how you feel about me,” he said, his tone serious now. “Shelly, I meant what I said. I like you. I care about you. And I know things are complicated, but I can’t keep pretending that I don’t feel this way.”

My heart ached at his honesty. I wanted to tell him that I felt the same, that every time I saw him, my stomach fluttered and my world tilted just a little. But there were so many reasons to hold back. My daughter. My messy past. The girl I’d seen kissing him earlier tonight.

“You don’t understand, Spencer,” I whispered, taking a step back. “My life… it’s not simple. I have Shaina to think about. And what about that girl at the club? The one who kissed you?”

His brows furrowed in confusion. “What girl?”

“Don’t play dumb,” I snapped, surprising even myself with the sharpness of my tone. “I saw her. You two were… close.”

Realization dawned on his face. “You mean Melissa? She’s just a friend, Shelly. And she was the one who kissed me, not the other way around. I pushed her away the second it happened.”

“Why didn’t you tell me?” I asked, my voice trembling.

“Because I didn’t think it mattered,” he said, stepping closer again. “You’re the one I want, Shelly. Not her. Not anyone else.”

His words hit me like a tidal wave, washing away some of the doubt and fear that had been clouding my mind. But even as my heart screamed at me to believe him, a small, stubborn part of me held back.

“I need time,” I said finally, my voice barely above a whisper.

He nodded, his expression softening. “Take all the time you need. I’ll wait, Shelly. For as long as it takes.”

With that, he leaned down and pressed a gentle kiss to my forehead before turning and leaving the room.

As the door clicked shut behind him, I sank onto my bed, my mind swirling with a thousand thoughts. Could I really let myself feel something for Spencer? Could I take the risk? Or was I better off keeping my distance—for his sake, for Shaina’s, and maybe even for my own?

One thing was certain: nothing about this would be easy.