Page 75 of She Doesn't Have a Clue

He ran his hand over her hair. “I’m sorry, too, Kate. For everything.”

They sat like that for a while, ruminating on what could have been, what never would have been, and what must be now. At least, that was what Kate was doing. She assumed Spencer was doing the same thing, until he spoke again.

“Do you ever think about how squirrels have all the data they need to overrun the human race?” he asked. “Ferrets, too. They’re like long squirrels.”

“Come on, Cheech, up you go,” Kate said, struggling to straighten up with the comforter still wrapped around her as she offered him a hand.

“What if I’m not good enough?” Spencer asked, staggering to his feet.

“Good enough to fight off the squirrels? I’m sure you’ll manage.”

“For Ken,” Spencer said, looking like a lost puppy. “I was never good enough for you.”

Kate sighed. “You weren’t not good enough for me, Spencer. You just weren’t right for me. And I wasn’t right for you. I think that’s why I got so obsessed with Loretta. She was an escape from a life I didn’t want.”

“I suppose that makes sense,” Spencer said glumly. He frowned. “Did you mean what you said, about the… the oral thing?”

Kate grimaced. “Ahhhh.…”

She was saved the embarrassment of answering by the man responsible for the statement in the first place as Jake slipped in the room. “Found your clothes and a couple of torches to—Ah. Spencer’s here.”

“He was just leaving,” Kate said, giving him a friendly push toward the door.

“Right,” Spencer said, slapping his hands against his thighs. He took a deep breath and closed his eyes, stepping up to Jake. “I’m ready.”

“Ready for what?” Jake asked.

“For you to punch me in the face.”

Jake looked bewildered. “Why would I punch you in the face?”

“No, it’s okay,” Spencer said. “I insist. I tried to take your woman, it’s your right.”

Jake looked to Kate, incredulous, but she only shook her head and mouthedhe really didn’t, trying her best not to break out laughing.

“Spencer, mate, look at me,” Jake said.

“I am looking at you.”

Jake sighed. “No, you’re not. Your eyes are closed.”

“Oh.” Spencer blinked his eyes open, looking around. “Oh, that’s why it got so dark all of a sudden. I thought the power went out again.”

Jake took Spencer by the shoulders and looked at him earnestly. “I’m not gonna punch you right now, all right? Consider it my wedding gift to you.”

“That’s really good to hear, honestly,” Spencer said, his shoulders slumping forward. “I really didn’t want to get punched in the face. You’re a good, handsome man, Jake.”

“Same to you, mate,” Jake said, ushering Spencer out with a shake of his head.

Chapter Thirty-Six

Jake waited until the door was properly locked before turning to Kate. “What the hell happened in here?”

“You wouldn’t believe me if I told you,” she said, finally letting loose the laugh she’d been holding in. “Did you happen to scrounge up any snacks while you were out? I think I got a contact high just sitting next to him.”

“Hewashigh, wasn’t he?” Jake looked back at the door in bemusement. “What was he doing in here?”

Kate shrugged as she pulled on the clothes Jake had brought. “He said he got lost.”