Too Broken to Love

10

I still remember my first kiss. Not the sloppy kind from a drunk night with friends, but my first meaningful kiss. It was back before I had met Chris in my high school years. The guy, Shane, was a blonde beauty and he knew it. I don't know why he asked me to the winter formal that year, but he did and after the dance he took me out to the dock on the lake. We sat there and he told me that he was moving but that he had always liked me, but never worked up the courage to talk to me.

We sat for a while, just talking when he asked if he could kiss me before he left. I agreed because I really did like Shane at the time. I had crushed on him for years, especially since our families were good friends, but we never hung out until the dance, just the occasional flirting at family dinners.

When his lips touched mine that night I thought that my whole body was sparking, and fires were erupting from his touch. My heart fluttered so hard that I knew he would forever be my first love, regardless of the fact I would never tell him.

So when I met Chris a year later, and that familiar feeling of a spark happened, even though dimmer, when we kissed, I thought it was a sign that we were supposed to be together. How wrong I was.

As Spencer's lips gently caressed mine in the hallway, the sparks I once thought were a symbol of undeniable bond, now seemed like nothing more than a quick flick of a match. Feeling this mans lips on mine felt like an inferno of sparks and heat, tearing through my very being. Every touch igniting a fire wherever he made contact and as the kiss deepened I wanted nothing more than to let him ravish my body just as I knew he could.

Reluctantly I pulled away feeling the cold of his absent touch on my skin.
"Spence, I..." I was breathless as he looked at me and gave me a boyish grin.
"I know, I just couldn't help it!" He smiled.
I smiled back and motioned to the kitchen. "We should probably go and make dinner so they can eat?" I hinted.
"Definitely!" He replied following my lead into the kitchen.

"Munchkins do you all like spaghetti?" He smiled playfully ruffling Jacobs hair.
"Yeah!" They all said.
"Good, why don't you all go upstairs and play, while your mom helps me cook!" He smiled, handing them all $5 "As promised!" .
They didn't hesitate, but instead ran upstairs to their rooms.

I showed Spencer where all the utensils were and began boiling the water on the stove as he chopped peppers, tomatoes, and onions. He seasoned the meat and put it in the pan, browning it before adding the vegetables.

"Do you have another pot?" He asked.
"Yeah why?" I asked confused.
"I make my own sauce!" he replied nonchalantly.
"Oh, Sure!" I smiled grabbing another pan as he mixed bended tomatoes and a variety of herbs and spices into the pot until it simmered.

I sat at the counter on the barstool and pulled out my phone to text Bailey. As I was typing I felt his presence close behind me. My breath hitched as one of his hands moved around me to touch the bracelet he bought me.

"Thanks by the way." I said.
"You deserve happiness Averleigh!"
"I know, but I can still thank you!" I smiled as he wrapped an arm around me and pulled my back into his chest.

I lifted a hand up to grab onto his forearm as my phone beeped with a text from Bailey.
'I can't believe he is cooking dinner and you didn't offer to share!' It read. Bailey was definitely not the subtle type.
I felt his chest shaking behind me as he clearly read the message over my shoulder.
"Sorry, she's not so good at subtlety." I explained.
"How many kids do her and her husband have?" He asked.
"two, there's four of them altogether, which is why I feel bad when they take all three of mine, they never complain but still."
"Tell her to come eat, she can bring the whole family. I can make more real quick, we have plenty of ingredients left." He said turning me to face him. "I would love to meet your bestie, if you are okay with it."

Was I? A part of me was dreading the inquisition I knew Bailey was good for, but another part of me was excited to let Spencer meet one of the most important people in my life.

"Sure I'll invite her!" I smiled, nerves wracking my body. Spencer didn't seem to notice and gently kissed the top of my head before letting me go, turning to make more food as I texted Bailey.

"Spencer told me to invite you, Zac, and the kids to dinner. Be here in twenty!"
"Sounds good, we will be there!" She replied with a bunch of emojis.

"They'll be here in twenty." I told him, trying to push down the nerves "But just know Bailey has no filter, she says what she thinks."
"That's fine, you remember my mother from the party right?" he chuckled "I think I'll be fine!"
"Well no pressure, but she's the closest thing to family I have here so you better impress her!" I flirted waving my eyebrows at him.
"I'll do my best, but while I finish the sauce will you drain this pasta for me?" He asked.
"Sure!" I smiled climbing off the stool and taking the pan of pasta to the sink to drain it.

A short while later I heard Bailey and Zac walk in as the kids ran upstairs, no doubt hunting down my own kids.

"It smells amazing in here!" Bailey smiled walking into the kitchen and setting her bag on the counter.
"Well its about time someone learned how to cook!" Zac teased.
Spencer turned around from the stove, and shook Zac's hand introducing himself before turning to Bailey.
"So you're the best friend she's always talking about?" He smiled at her "I'm Spencer."
She looked at him quizzically, sizing him up before her shoulders relaxed and she smiled back.
"I'm Bailey! It's nice to finally put a face to the name."
"Babe, why don't you and Averleigh go set the table and get the kids down, I can help Spencer finish up!" Zac smiled giving her a peck on the cheek.
"Alright, come on girl!" She smiled grabbing my hand and leading me out of the kitchen to set the table.

I couldn't help but feel slightly awkward for Spencer leaving him with Zac, but he was a grown up and Bailey clearly had something to say.

"Go ahead Bailey, I know you need to say something so get it out!" I stated matter-of-factly.
"First of all RUDE! and second I'm supposed to have something to say I'm your best friend!" she joked, "But seriously you didn't tell me he was hot. I mean I can totally see why he caught your eye! Definitely few steps up from.." She was rambling when I cut her off.
"Do not say his name! I have had a great day without him being mentioned and I would like to keep it that way!"
"Okay, but in all seriousness I'm excited for you! I cant wait to eat and get to know him better!" She smiled mischievously.

"Bailey please, save the interrogation for another day. We are still just getting to know each other as it is. Apart from the recent events of the last couple of days, we haven't gone into much about anything else. I don't want you scaring him off before we get the chance. I'm serious Bailey I think I really like him!" I blushed, surprised by my own admission.
"Fine! but I will interrogate him eventually!" She smiled.
"Sure, just not tonight! Lets go get the kids!" I smiled as we walked upstairs to get all the kids down for dinner.

The kids smiled when they came downstairs, especially when they realized that they had their famous holiday kids table set out for them to sit at. They always loved that they got their own table, away from the grown ups. We didn't really need it for dinner but I thought it would make the whole dinner go smoother with the extra guests.

Bailey grabbed some glasses and set them on the table with a bottle of wine she brought, while I pretended to be a waitress at the kids table and take their drink orders.
"Juiceboxes for everyone is that correct?" I asked, as they all nodded. I opened the pantry door and took out five juiceboxes, setting them on the paper cup holders and stabbing the straws through the little foil circles.

"Dinner will be served shortly!" I bowed before turning around and headed towards the kitchen. Instantly Spencer and Zac went quiet.

"Can we plate the kids food?" I asked, as they pointed towards the counter where five plates were already lined up with food. "Oh thanks" I said grabbing the plates and leaving the kitchen. Weird.

I shook it off and gave the kids their plates before sitting with Bailey at the table to wait on the men. We both poured a glass of wine and began sipping, before the men finally emerged with our plates. They appeared to be getting along very well as Spencer sat beside me and Zac beside Bailey.