Chapter 23

After pulling to a screeching stop in Cassandra’s driveway, Lindsey all but sprinted inside the front doors. The camera crews had already packed up and gone, but she could hear the sound of Spencer and Alan’s voices filling the air as she rushed through the house.

“Spencer!” she shouted as the sound of a chair scooting across the tile floor hit her ears.

“Lindsey!”

They both rounded corners at the same time and stopped at opposite sides of the kitchen.

“Are you mad at me?” Spencer said, then took a tentative step toward Lindsey.

She bolted toward him and surprised him by jumping into his waiting arms. Wrapping her legs around his waist, she squeezed him as tightly as she could.

“I can’t believe you declared your love for me on national TV,” she said softly against his neck.

Spencer shivered, and Lindsey smiled to herself as his grip on her tightened. He pulled his head back, his eyes meeting hers.

“Cassandra thought it would be a good idea to make a big gesture. She and Alan helped me a lot. They are great.”

“Yeah, we did and we are,” Cassandra shouted from somewhere in the dining room. “Alan and I want to be the godparents of your first kid.”

Spencer rested his forehead against hers, a smile on his lips. “I love you, Linds.”

“I love you too,” she admitted for the first time as her heart clicked into place, making her feel whole. “I’m so sorry it took me so long to get my head out of my ass.”

“Lindsey, I meant every word I said. You’re worth it. I was ready to fight for you and do whatever it took to win your love.”

“Shut up and kiss me.”

“Yes, Ma’am.”

Spencer crushed his lips against hers, all his feelings pouring out as their mouths melted into one. Lindsey kissed him back with passion, for all the nights she had dreamed of him, wishing they were together.

Spencer lowered her gently to the counter, his hands never breaking contact with her body, their mouths still connected.

“Jeez, get a room already,” Alan pretended to complain as he walked past them.

They pulled apart, smiles on both their faces. “Maybe we can christen the guest room?” Lindsey asked loud enough for Cassandra to hear, and she groaned.

“Damn it, Linds, we had just remodeled it to new!”

“Would you take me home?” She looked up at Spencer. He looked happier and more relaxed than she had ever seen him.

“Home? Like the hotel?” he asked her.

“No, Spence. Home like Middletown. Our home.”

Epilogue

Brandon dropped the assault charges after the Ashlee Yang show was aired. He delivered a public apology that no one believed. Too little too late, as they say.

When people heard the recording, it was Brandon open season. The newspaper aired all the dirty laundry they had collected about him over the years.