Help Me Remember (Rose Canyon, #1)(52)

Then a balloon hits me, spraying green water everywhere.

“You are too!” He laughs.

Then I turn when Saint breaks in. “We win!”

And there he is, holding the flag above his head with no dye on his shirt.

Spencer is smiling as he walks over to me. “Well done.”

Laughing, I jump up into his arms and plant my mouth on his. Yes, this was well done and the most fun I’ve had in . . . well, since I can remember.





The rest of our date is a blur. After the fight, we went to the carnival and laughed as the kids recounted the most epic balloon fight in all of the world. Timmy and Spencer managed to find common ground when Spencer revealed his deep love of a book series.

The two of them talked about the likelihood of being born of a God and having powers. It was far over my head, but it was nice when Timmy referred to him by his name instead of “The Old Guy.”

I have been floating. We’ve held hands and even rode a ride together. Well, it was bumper cars and Spencer’s knees were in his chest, but it was fun and we promised the kids we’d come back next year for a rematch. They assured us the teams will be much bigger because they were going to bring everyone they knew.

We had dinner out of a food truck two towns over, and they were the best empanadas I’ve ever had.

Now we’re pulling up to my apartment and the lightness of the day seems to be setting behind us. I don’t want it to end. I want the fun like I had today. Where I’m not worrying about killers or a mystery fiancé who may knock on my door any minute. I want to live every day like what I had today.

I look over at Spencer with his thick beard and dark hair that I want to run my fingers through and sigh.

“What was that for?”

“I had the best day.”

“I told you,” he says with a smirk.

“You did, and it was amazing to see some of your special op training in real life.”

“I feel like a lot of what we did in training is a big game of capture the flag, only we used paintballs that hurt like a bitch when you got hit.”

I smile. “Thank you for this.”

“You’re welcome.”

“I’m sad it’s over,” I admit, glancing over at the car sitting opposite of us. “Just looking at that reminds me that my life isn’t a fun game of capture the flag.”

He sees the car, lifts two fingers as a wave. “Quinn is a good guy.”

“Were they with us all day?” I ask.

“Yes.”

“I didn’t . . . I didn’t even see them.”

Spencer shrugs. “That’s how it’s supposed to be. But they are always close in case you need them, even if you’re with me.”

I lean back, staring out at the inky sky. “How is this my life? It’s not what I ever thought I would be dealing with.”

He squeezes my hand. “We’ll get to the bottom of it.”

I laugh once. “That’s what else I was sighing about.”

“What?”

“For the first time since all of this happened, I was so happy. I had a chance to go out and just have fun. We didn’t talk about memories or the past. We were here, living in the moment. I imagined this date might . . . well, this might be a prelude to something more and I am sad it’s over. I’m worried that when my memories fully return, I won’t want the life I’d been living.”

Spencer shifts so that he can grab my other hand. “The dates and fun don’t have to be over. I am . . . I want to go out again. I am asking you, do you want to go out with me again?”

My lips turn up, and I bob my head quickly. “Of course, but aren’t you worried about all the other stuff?”

“I’m only worried about this. You and me.” Spencer moves his hand to my cheek, cupping it ever so gently. “And now, I want to make good on my promise.”

I play coy. “Which one is that?”

“I’m going to kiss you good night.”

He moves in, and the kiss is sweet and slow and perfect. It’s the kiss that I wished for and dreamed and I will never forget it.





Chapter Eighteen





BRIELLE





“Yes, Addy, it’s totally safe,” I reassure her with the same words I said to my mother an hour ago.

“I just . . . worry.”

“You’re supposed to be worrying less since you left.”

“Well, clearly, I’m failing.”

I sigh. “How is Elodie?”

“She’s good. She’s been having fun playing with Devney’s family. She has a lot of nieces and nephews. She is trying to crawl!”

“Oh! I wish I could see it.”

“I’ll take video,” Addy promises.

“So, you’re comfortable in the guest house?” I ask.

“It’s not a guest house.” She laughs. “It’s a freaking huge house. When I first saw it, I was completely thrown off because it’s amazing. I was really worried about fitting in, but her sisters-in-law are all amazing and we’re comfortable here. Ellie, Brenna, and Sydney all stop by or make us come over for dinner, and they are just—kind. Brenna’s husband died a few years ago, so it’s been nice to have someone who understands what it’s like to be a widow.”