Page 34 of Reunion With Benefits

“I don’t—”

“Hey.” Carter caught Spence’s arm and pulled him back. “Give her a minute, Spence.”

She appreciated the support. With her head spinning and her knees weak, she doubted she could get out of there without falling down. She’d never appreciated Jackson’s supportive arm as much.

But a part of her did ache for Spence. For the grief and pain she saw in his eyes. For the way his mouth dropped open and stayed there, as if he didn’t know what to say.

She tried to smile at him but couldn’t quite get there. “We’ll talk soon.”

She gave his arm a quick squeeze, and then she was gone.

* * *

Spence couldn’t move. His brain screamed to go after her. Forget Carter’s well-meaning warnings and Jackson’s small head shake. He’d screwed this up in every way possible. Let his history with his father ruin his chance with Abby.

Back then it had seemed so simple. His father made moves on women all the time. Married or not, he was always looking for what else was out there. He’d flirted with women Spence dated until he learned never to bring them around the house or work. Having a thing for Abby, who was right there in the office, threw Spence’s usual routine out of whack. He couldn’t keep her away from his dad.

That was his one defense. He’d been using it since high school when Spence walked into the kitchen one night and saw his dad standing at the sink with his hand on Spence’s then-girlfriend’s lower back. They were whispering and laughing. He doubted anything actually happened, but it was so wrong. Dominating and sick.

Spence had been wary and on the lookout ever since. So, when he walked in on that kiss he thought... Bile rushed up the back of his throat at the memory.

“What is going on?” Derrick burst into the library, frowning and wide-eyed with confusion. “You all disappeared and Abby just ran out of here. Not actually, but she sure looked spooked.”

Carter frowned. “Dad.”

“Eldrick is here?” Derrick’s mouth fell and his tone flattened. “Lucky us.”

“He and Beth—”

“Wait.” Derrick held up a hand. “Who is Beth?”

“Yeah, that’s a confusing piece of the story. Apparently, we call his wife Beth now. Believe it or not, you’ll like her.” Carter shook his head. “But the point is Dad admitted to sexually harassing Abby and setting her up with that kiss to scare Spence off.”

Spence appreciated Carter’s explanation because he wasn’t sure he could get one out right now. He wasn’t sure of anything. He glanced at his watch, trying to calculate how much time he should wait before going to see Abby. Jackson might have the answer. Spence half hoped Jackson also would know what to say because Spence was clueless. There wasn’t an apology big enough to handle this.

“I can’t...” Derrick slipped his fingers through his hair. “I asked her back then, but...” He looked at Carter. “Is she okay?”

Carter shrugged. “She unloaded, so hopefully she will be.”

“What about you?” Derrick glanced at Spence. “You okay?”

“No.”

Carter gave him a reassuring pat on the shoulder. “You will be, too. Give it time.”

Spence wasn’t convinced.

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