Page 28 of A Magnolia Move-In
Where was Spencer?
Truth be told, I was a tad worried about him. It wasn’t like either of us was in the prime of life. I had too manyfriends who had suffered from heart issues to play fast and loose with someone’s disappearance.
If he was in danger, I was going to help him.
I studied the hallway that led to his room and hesitated. Doubt filled my mind until I finally pushed off the counter and hurried down the hall. No time to think, just act.
If he got angry, I would tell him it was for his own good.
Once I got to his door, I raised my hand and knocked. After a few seconds with no response, I knocked again.
Nothing.
Fear began to creep up in my stomach. I reached out and grabbed the door handle. His blinds were closed and the room dark. I peeked around the door just to make sure he wasn’t sleeping. The bed was empty and perfectly made.
“Spencer?” I said in a low voice. I didn’t want to startle him.
Nothing.
I pushed the door open further.
“Spencer?” I asked again, stepping into the room.
Besides the neatly made bed, there was a dresser with only a few items on top, a desk, a chest at the foot of the bed, and a nightstand with a lamp resting on top.
There were no clothes piled up in the corner or full laundry basket that needed to be put away.
It was as if a man lived here…but didn’tlivehere.
That intrigued me.
I went further into the room as my curiosity got the better of me. I ran my hand along the side of the dresser asI walked by it. The smooth wood was cool to the touch. I peeked into the bathroom, but the light was out. Just like in his room, Spencer didn’t store very much on the vanity. Just an electric toothbrush, some cologne, and a small picture frame.
I paused, glancing down at the picture. In the darkness, it was hard to make out the subject’s features, but I could tell it was a woman. I reached over and flipped the switch. The bathroom was instantly bathed in warm, orange light.
I picked up the frame and studied the woman. She had dark hair, pale skin, and a soft, genuine smile. She was sitting on the beach with her arms wrapped around her knees and her focus on the camera.
It was like interrupting an intimate moment, and yet, I couldn’t put the picture down. Who was this woman? Was Spencer married? Was this his current girlfriend?
He didn’t seem like he was currently dating anyone.
“What are you doing?” Spencer’s deep voice startled me.
I yelped and set the picture down a little too hard. It made a crashing noise as I hit it against the toothbrush. I scrambled to keep both from falling to the ground. “I’m sorry,” I whispered, my cheeks warm.
I paused with my back to Spencer as I gathered my courage to turn around. I had just been caught red-handed. What was I going to say to justify why I’d come in here and snooped around?
I took in a deep breath. Going with the truth seemed like the best option. I slowly turned around. “I was worriedabout you,” I said. My heart skipped a beat when I saw Spencer’s frown and narrowed eyes.
He was not happy.
“So, you went snooping in my things?” He took a step closer to me.
I swallowed. “I didn’t see you last night or today, and I was worried that you’d had a heart attack.” Now that I was able to take in Spencer’s form, I realized how stupid I sounded. He was a trim man. I could see his muscles under the t-shirt that stretched against his chest.
From the food in his fridge, I could tell he ate healthily, and he seemed active. Fearing that he was lying on the ground somewhere sounded so stupid.
His glower only deepened. “I don’t need your help. If I die on my floor, that’s my choice.” He stepped around me and grabbed the picture I’d been staring at. He brought the face of it to his chest. “I don’t want you in my room, and I certainly don’t want you staring at my things.”
