Page 35 of Reunion With Benefits

Nine

Spence waited for two days. Sunday dragged by with him texting Abby and not receiving a response. Carter had convinced him to wait a little longer and Ellie agreed. Jackson fed him some updates. On Monday, she didn’t show up for work and Spence’s nerves were shot. He had this image of her packing and leaving town. That was his thing and he was desperate for her not to repeat his mistakes.

The sick thing sounded like subterfuge. Derrick said that never happened. He couldn’t remember a day Abby had missed since starting with the company. And that did it. Spence spent the afternoon trying to come up with a plan that didn’t come off controlling and rude like his father. Spence didn’t want to be that guy. Ever.

But she was in hiding. Not her style and not something Spence had expected, but that’s what he got. He had to deal with it. True, she deserved some peace and time to think. He tried to give it to her. He really did. But at seven on Monday night, he stepped into the lobby of her condo building and met up with Jackson.

“I hope I don’t regret letting you in,” Jackson said as they walked to the elevator.

Yeah, that made two of them. “Get in line.”

The fact Jackson was comfortable there, that he got in and out and on the security-protected elevator without trouble had Spence’s mind spinning. He grabbed on to the bar behind him in the elevator as the car started to move. He hoped the stranglehold would keep him from doing or saying something stupid.

After a few seconds of silence, he opened his mouth anyway. “She’s—”

“Not expecting you,” Jackson said.

Spence couldn’t figure out if that was a good idea or not. Showing up unannounced might be a jerk move. Honestly, he’d pulled so many with her he couldn’t tell where the line was anymore.

“Are you planning to stick around and referee?” Part of Spence didn’t hate the idea. Strength in numbers and all that. Having reinforcements might not be bad, either, since he expected Abby to be furious.

The rest of him wanted Jackson out. The majority part. This was private, or it should be. The unloading, the telling of what happened back then, played out in front of an audience. She deserved an empty room for whatever else she needed to say. And he would take it. He owed her that much.

“You really have been gone a long time.” A mass of keys and security fobs jangled in Jackson’s hand.

“What?”

Jackson shook his head as he smiled. “I forgot we’ve been hanging out over at Derrick’s place or going out to eat since you’ve been back. So, you don’t know.”

The elevator bell dinged and the doors opened. Spence stepped out into the hall, not sure where to go or how to interpret Jackson’s unusual ramblings.

“Any chance you’re going to explain?” Spence asked.

Jackson nodded. “Follow me.”

He turned left and started down the hall. Stopped in front of the first door and pointed at it. “She lives here.”

Then he kept walking. Got to the next door and stopped. “This is mine.”

Spence’s heart stopped. For a second, he couldn’t breathe. “You live in the same building? On the same floor?”

Next to each other. That struck Spence as convenient and frustrating, and his anxiety spun out of control inside him.

“Abby told me about a good deal. I jumped in, bought low and became her neighbor.” Jackson winked at him. “But before you panic, and I can see it welling up in you already, I’m still only her good friend. Nothing more.”

“Why?” Spence couldn’t imagine another man not wanting her. Not making a move. Loyalty, sure, and none of the brothers or Jackson had ever tried to ask another’s ex out, but still. The proximity, their clear chemistry.

“It was never going to happen.” Jackson shook his head. “Because you love her.”

There was that word again. Spence kept waiting for his brain to reject it, but it didn’t happen.

The lock clicked and Jackson opened his door. “Don’t mess this up.”

* * *

When the bell bonged, Abby glared at the front door to her condo. She’d just sank down into the corner seat of her sectional. Arranged the blankets and pillows just right around her. Had a box of tissues on one side. The remote control on her lap. Medicine, water bottle and a cup of lemon tea right in front of her.

When the bell rang out a second time, she cursed under her breath. This could only be a handful of people. No one buzzed to come upstairs. The phone didn’t ring from the front desk to ask her permission to send someone to her. Jackson had a key. That left someone in the building or maintenance.

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