Next Door Neighbor

CHAPTER 6: DRINKS

STEPHANIE'S POV:

I'm a little nervous to meet Spencer's team. He said they were all super nice, but I'm still worried. I want to make a good impression. I've decided on a nice yellow dress for tonight. It goes just below my knees, it's kind of like a summer dress. I look and feel good in this. I tie my hair back in the typical braid and put on some yellow flats to go with my dress. I choose not to wear makeup. I don't like wearing it, I prefer staying more 'natural'. More than anything, makeup is crazy expensive and I don't really have the money to splurge on it.

I grab my purse and head out the door. I hail a taxi and make my way to the bar. Spencer is already there with his team, they went straight to the bar from work. They usually work late, so it's already almost ten. When I arrive, the bar is bustling. I can hear the music from the street, a loud thumping in my ears. I weave through people and finally make my way inside. I look around for Spencer, but he finds me first. He waves to me and I walk over to the table. I slide in next to him, giving a small wave to the rest of the people at the table.

"Who's this pretty lady?" one of the men asks me, an older italian-looking man. "Everyone, this is my new neighbor, Stephanie Healy. Stephanie, this is David Rossi, Aron Hotchner, Derek Morgan, Penelope Garcia, JJ, and Emily Prentiss." They all say their hellos, reaching out their hands for me to shake. "I love your dress!" Penelope says. I notice she's full of color. I like her already.

"So, where'd you move from?" JJ asks. "Ohio, I got a better job as an editor for a publishing company here." I reply. "Oh, the Quill Publishing Company?" Rossi questions. I nod my head yes. "They were the publishing company that did my book!" Rossi explains. We chat for a few minutes about his book and writing. He seems very friendly. A waiter comes by and we make our orders, the drinks coming soon after. I sip my drink while I talk with the team. Spencer was right, everyone is super kind.

We talk for an hour or two before Morgan decides he wants to dance. He drags Emily, Garcia, and JJ with him. I see Morgan immediately get mobbed by a bunch of girls. "Spencer, let's go dance." I say. Spencer looks at me in surprise. "What?" He questions. "You heard me. Let's dance!" I grab his hand and drag him out of the booth. And over to Morgan. "I should warn you, I have two left feet." Spencer mumbles. "Don't worry about it, I can't dance either." I reassure him. I start to move to the music, just swaying back and forth.

Spencer hesitates but he starts to join me. He's right, he is truly a terrible dancer, but we're having fun and that's all that matters. He grabs my hand and twirls me around, laughing the whole time. Spencer seems so genuinely happy, and it is the most wonderful thing. When he smiles, the whole room lights up, I swear.

I could tell that Spencer was hesitant to dance at first, but once we started dancing together, he started to enjoy it. His eyes meet mine, bright and joyful. His hair is all over the place, but I bet mine is too. He looks perfect right now, perfect as can be.

SPENCER'S POV:

When Stephanie dances, she gets lost in the music. Her eyes close, her lips curve into a soft smile. Her yellow dress swishes around her, the yellow bright and eye catching. The color yellow fits her, welcoming and happy. She's beautiful, truly beautiful. We dance for a while longer before we return to the table. Stephanie offers to call us a taxi so we could drive back together, so she says her goodbyes and goes outside.

"So, just friends, huh?" Morgan says, coming up behind me. I look at him. "She's not interested in me, really. There's nothing going on between us." I tell him. "Did you see her smiling at you? She could have danced with any of the guys around her, but she danced with you. The way she looks at you and the way you look at her, you both like each other." Morgan explains. I shake my head.

"There's no way she likes me like that." I say. Morgan rolls his eyes. "You may be a genius but sometimes you are really stupid." Morgan chuckles, walking back to the table. I say goodbye to everyone and head outside. Stephanie is waiting on the curb next to a taxi. We climb in and start the drive home.

"Thank you for inviting me tonight." Stephanie tells me. "Of course. Everyone really liked you, I could tell." I explain. She blushes a bit. We make small talk the rest of the ride. When we get back to the apartment building, I walk her to her door. She's about to head inside, but she stops. "Spencer, would you maybe want to get drinks together? Just the two of us?" Stephanie asks. My eyes go wide. Is she asking me out? Stephanie must take my silence as a no because her face falls a bit. "If you don't I totally get it-" she starts, but I interrupt. "I would love to." She smiles at this, a big, bright smile.

"I'll see you tomorrow Spencer." She says softly, giving me a quick kiss on the cheek. She heads inside and I'm left standing in the hall, my face red, my mind still trying to process what just happened.