Free Plus None 2 by Emily Hemmer Page B

knit my eyebrows in confusion.
    “More economical,” he says. “The cost of pudding’s gone way up.”
     My dad strides away, headed for the front door. With his PBR in one hand, and the other shoved carelessly in a pocket, he looks comfortable and content with his surroundings.
    I scan the open floor plan but Alex and his friends have moved on. As I look for a clue of where he may’ve run off to, someone else catches my eye. Dirty blonde hair, green eyes, and a shit-eating grin. He swaggers toward me.
    “I hoped we’d meet again.” Spencer Ross, an old school friend of Ken and Alex’s, shamelessly hit on me the last time we met. Judging by the bawdy look on his face, I may be in for round two.
    “Lucky me.” There’s no use pretending with this guy and I’m still pretty raw from my exchange with Alex and his father. I haven’t got it in me to be charming.
    Spencer grins, biting his lip, enjoying the challenge. “You’re looking lovely today. New dress?”
    “Yes, thank you.”
    “The color matches your eyes almost perfectly. I’ll bet you’re the envy of every woman here.”
    His compliment feels like an insult or a joke.  It throws me. I’ve never been good at dealing with rich people. Too often, their manners ring empty. I nod and look away.
    “So how are things going for you, out in the wild west?”
    His jab at my hometown ignites fire in my veins. “Harlow’s less than two hours from here. Not exactly the wild west.”
    Spencer holds up his hand. “My apologies. I only meant to ask how you’re doing.”
    “I’m fine, thank you.” I cross my arms, rubbing them with my hands. His presence gives me the chills.
    “Oh, c’mon, Charlie. I’m not going to bite. I promise.” He leans casually to one side. This is his turf and he knows he has the advantage on me.
    Caving, I say, “I opened a bakery in town a few months ago.”
    “Good for you. Has it been successful so far?”
    “Can’t complain.”
    Spencer leans forward, grinning. “Aren’t you going to ask how I’ve been doing?”
    I copy him and let my eyes wander over his frame. He’s got a movie-star quality about him. Like he knows how good looking he is but tries to appear unconscious of it.
    I throw the question back at him, hugging myself a bit tighter.
    Spencer runs a hand through his hair. “Oh, you know.” He smiles shyly toward the floor. “Same old, same old.”
    His attempt to disarm me just makes me mad. “So you’re still a womanizing letch living off your family’s good name? It’s been two years, Spence. I’ll admit, I thought you would’ve gotten a promotion by now.”
    His eyes briefly widen before a wild, excited smile splits his face. “Well, well, well… look who just joined the party?”
    Exasperated, I turn to walk away. He moves quickly to block my path.
    “Where do you think you’re going?”
    “Move.” I drop my arms to my sides, my hands balling into fists.
    “I don’t think so. This party was a complete bore until thirty seconds ago.” His eyes drop to my cleavage and linger. “Last time we met, I think I may’ve remarked on how similar you are to your sister.” His gaze travels slowly up the length of my neck, stopping briefly on my lips before meeting my eyes. “But I don’t think so anymore.”
    “How’s that?” My breath is quick and shaky, making my chest heave beneath his stare.
    Spencer’s emerald eyes are unnerving. “You’ve got more fight in you than she does.”
     “Please, Paige is as strong as they come.” It’s my turn for a wry smile. “She never backs down from anything.”
    “True.” He steps nearer. “But has she ever had to fight for what she wants? I mean really fight? Seems to me like she’s the kind of person who lets the people around her do all the heavy lifting.” He breathes me in. “You, on the other hand, you’ve had to fight for everything you have. Haven’t you, Charlie?” He whispers my name softly, intimately.
    I hold his gaze,