"Your hand is sticky."
Spencer inspected his hands before shrugging. "Oh."
Amelie laughed before handing him a small bottle of hand sanitizer from her bag. "Use this."
Spencer took it from her and squirted a generous amount on his hands before rubbing them together. "I took too much. Give me your hands."
It probably defeated the purpose of the hand sanitizer but, nevertheless, Amelie placed her manicured hands in his and he massaged the rest of the gel onto them until it evaporated.
They had been resting on a park bench, eating the best falafel sandwiches they had in their lives, when Amelie suddenly slipped her hand in his. Ever since Spencer told her about Madeline, she has been more affectionate. When they walked, her hand would be swinging along with his. They went on a lot more dates. She kissed him a lot more as well; when they went to the movies, when they went to restaurants, when they watched TV, when they ate top-grade falafel sandwiches in the middle of Central Park.... Of course Spencer didn't mind the extra kissing at all. He was very happy with it. However, a part of him felt it was forced. It was like she was trying to prove something. Maybe she was trying to cover all the bases Madeline had touched. Or maybe she was trying to make him forget about Madeline.
"Ugh, I have to get back to work," Amelie sighed. She looked over to Spencer and chuckled. "You got tahini all over your mouth."
Spencer laughed before hugging her tightly and planting sloppy kisses all over her face. She squealed and pushed him off of her.
"Now you got tahini all over your mouth!"
She laughed and wiped her face with a napkin. "What are you up to later? Let's go out somewhere."
"I can't. I'm having dinner with my mom."
Amelie pouted. "Afterwards? Come over to my place and we can watch a movie or something."
Spencer thought for a moment. "Or.... how about you come to dinner with me?"
Her head whipped around to look at him. "Huh?"
"Come meet my mom!"
Her face twisted in surprise and she bit her lip nervously. "Um...yeah. Okay, sure. Do you think we're ready for all that?"
Spencer nodded quickly without thinking. "Definitely! We've been going out for more than a month. I think we're ready!"
She nodded as a smile appeared on her face. "Okay. Um, I'll see you after work."
She kissed him one last time before dumping the sandwich wrapper in a trashcan and walking back to work. Spencer watched her leave with a smile on his face. She suddenly stopped and turned around, laughing.
"Stop staring at my ass!"
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"Don't be nervous. She's going to love you," Spencer said reassuringly.
Amelie let out a long breath and raised her arm to rap on the door. "Does she like lilies? I was going to get tulips but I thought they would be too casual. Of course, roses are too formal. And hydrangeas? Well, they're just a slap in the face. And carnations are blasphemous-"
"Amelie!"
"Yes?"
Spencer chuckled before opening the door himself. "I really don't think my mother cares that much. She'll appreciate the gesture though. And why did you knock? It's my mother's house, the door is always open."
She exhaled and followed him inside. They made their way to the dining room where Helena was directing a few waiters around. Wait. Waiters?
"Mom, what's all this?"
Spencer was expecting a casual dinner, not floral arrangements and place cards. Some caterer urgently whizzed past him with a tray of food.
"Oh, Spencer, honey, you're here! So wonderful to see you!" Helena exclaimed, engulfing her son in a hug.
Helena wasn't the most affectionate person so her hug definitely caught him off guard.
"And Amelie! Darling, it is so nice to meet you!" She kissed both of Amelie's cheeks.
"Hello, Miss Kingsley. I brought you flowers-"
"Wonderful! Come, sit down!"
Spencer looked around curiously before walking to the table and looking at the place cards. Charlie, Spencer, Amelie, Helena.... Miguel?
Spencer whipped his head around and looked at his mother. She was smiling but she looked nervous. Her eyes kept darting to the door anxiously every time it opened.
"Mom? Who's Miguel?"
"Maybe we should wait until Charlie comes...."
As if on cue, Charlie casually strolled in, chewing on some crudité he snatched from a caterer.
"Wait for me for what?" He asked with his mouth full.
Spencer stared suspiciously at his mother, waiting for her reply. Amelie awkwardly stood beside her and looked down at her feet.
"Um, okay. Well, I guess I'll tell you all now since he'll be here any minute. Miguel is my... well, he's my boyfriend."
Charlie did a spit take, spraying cucumber chunks into the air. He bursted into laughter, not bothering to hide his amusement. Spencer, on the other hand, opened his mouth in shock.
"Boyfriend?!" Charlie spluttered before laughing again.
Helena crossed her arms angrily. "I don't know why you're laughing. Anyway, he'll be here any minute now so please behave. Please."
Spencer eventually smiled, being infected by Charlie's cackling, and nodded obediently. "Of course, Mom. I'm very happy for you. Shocked but happy nonetheless."
Amelie winked at Spencer and walked up to him, wrapping her arm around his waist. "He sounds really nice," She added.
"Yeah, yeah. Mom, I'm sorry I laughed and ai promise I'll behave," Charlie wheezed, still trying to catch his breath.
Helena rolled her eyes and turned away to talk to the caterers. Charlie approached Spencer and Amelie with his characteristic grin.
"Hey bro," Charlie said, putting out his fist.
Spencer was hesitant to bump it with all that happened between them but eventually sighed and fist-bumped his brother. A flash of relief masked Charlie's face. It didn't mean he forgave him but he missed his brother. He mentally decided his peace treaty would only last for the night. Then he'd go back to being pissed at Charlie.
"And who's this beautiful lady?"
Amelie smiled and extended her hand. "Amelie Park."
"She's my girlfriend," Spencer announced, throwing his arm over her shoulders.
Charlie didn't bother to hide his surprise. "That's crazy. I'm proud you got over Mad-"
"I think we should go sit down, Amelie!" Spencer interrupted before glaring at his brother. Even though Amelie now knew about Madeline, it didn't mean they were comfortable talking about her. Saving them both unnecessary anguish, Spencer swiftly whisked her away to a seat at the table.
It was going to be a long night.
They chatted for a while until the doorbell rang. In walked a tall man wearing a grey suit and holding a modest bouquet of flowers.
"Oh. Uh, hello," He said, greeting them awkwardly. "I am Miguel."
The three of them continued to stare at him without speaking. Amelie let out a soft breath and nudged Spencer.
"That is the sexiest man I have ever seen in my life," She whispered into his ear.
"You have a boyfriend," Spencer muttered back to her.
"Yeah but you're no Miguel. I mean... wow..."
Miguel cleared his throat, attracting their attention once more. Charlie stood up first.
"Nice to meet you, Miguel. I'm Charlie, Helena's son. This is my brother Spencer and his girlfriend, Amelie."
Spencer waved awkwardly at him as Amelie giggled behind his back.
Helena came in and gasped. "Oh! Miguel, I didn't hear you come in!"
Her eyes flickered nervously to Charlie who had a mischievous smile on his head. She glared at him but he raised his arms in defence.
"I was just introducing myself, Mother. I didn't mention anything scandalous, don't worry!"
She rolled her eyes and went to kiss both of Miguel's cheeks before escorting him to a different room. As soon as they left, Charlie turned to Spencer and Amelie with a grin on his face.
"That is the sexiest man I have ever laid my eyes on," He announced.
Amelie nearly jumped out of her seat. "THAT'S WHAT I SAID!"
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In the span of two hours, Spencer only found out three things about Miguel. He was fifty-two, he was a chef and he moved to America nearly thirty years ago from Puerto Rico. He seemed broody and mysterious and didn't really talk much.
However, on the bright side, Amelie and his mother were hitting it off. Honestly, Amelie could probably charm a snake. Spencer didn't know how she did it. Everyone she met she would loop into her bubble. She reminded him of Nora- everyone loved her.
"Honestly, Ms Kingsley, if you'd ever be interested in running for mayor, you have my support. I'm familiar with a lot of your cases, especially you supreme court case and I'm in awe."
"You're very sweet, darling. Thank you. I'm very impressed by your mayor campaign internship. It's very difficult for an undergrad like you to find work with such a prominent politician."
"Thank you! I'm not sure how long I'm going to stay there though. I got another offer and..." Her voice trailed off as she looked at Spencer nervously.
"Another offer? Wow, from where."
"Nothing is set in stone yet but Senator Orwell was impressed with my work. So she offered me a job."
Spencer's head swooshed to look at her. "Senator Orwell? As in Washington DC Senator Orwell?"
Spencer didn't know whether to feel excited for his girlfriend or hurt. Things were going well. Why would she consider a job in Washington without talking to him first?
"That's very impressive! I'm very happy for you," Helena said.
"Thank you..." Amelie eyed the door.
"But you didn't tell me..." Spencer blurted.
The room became quiet as everyone looked at Spencer. All that could be hears was the scraping of forks against plates.
"Um, Spence, can you show me where the bathroom is?"
Spencer nodded wordlessly and stood up to bring her. That was very obvious code for 'we should go somewhere private to talk'. He remained quiet, still trying to work out what to say to her. He didn't want to seem possessive but also wanted her to know that he wished she told him sooner.
As they left the dining room, Amelie sighed and held his hand. "Let's talk..."
"I... I don't know what to say."
"Look, nothing is set in stone yet. I only found out last week. I'll be given more details soon."
"That's good and I support you. It will be really beneficial for your career. I just wish you told me sooner. Preferably not in front of my entire family..."
She nodded and squeezed his hand. "I'm sorry. I just didn't know how to tell you. We've been going really well and I didn't want to ruin that."
"If you move to Washington, I'll obviously miss you..."
Amelie was a breath of fresh air for Spencer. She was perfect. And with her he felt he could move on. Spencer wondered what the film crowd was like in Washington. Or was the option to move to Washington with her too early in their relationship. However, he didn't want to break up with her. What they had was special and had the capacity to blossom into something beautiful. Spencer was waiting for that moment what he could look at Amelie and realise there was no one else he wanted to be with more. Frankly, he was kind of worried he hadn't felt that feeling yet even though they were two months into their relationship.
"I'll give you an answer by next week. But our relationship right now is really important to me. I hope you know that."
Spencer kissed her cheek before hugging her, squeezing her tightly. "Just know that I support your decision no matter what."
But as she smiled and hugged him tightly, he couldn't help but feel nervous. A sense of dread consumed him. Amelie distracted him from reality so if he lost her he would be roped back out of dreamland and into reality. The same reality where he was in love with a nearly married woman.
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