Chapter 55 Chapter LV

Chapter 55 Chapter LV
I wake up to find three new text messages from Spencer on my phone. After sleeping it off, I now feel completely guilty for ghosting him last night, even though I was too tired and slightly drunk from all the wine I had. It was very childish to feel the way I felt when I saw that woman, and even though people always tell us to trust our gut, I just don’t think I had reason to act the way I did.
Poppy was right; it was nothing, and I overreacted. 
Before even stretching, I open the messages, hoping Spencer isn’t mad at me or anything like that. Today is a huge day for him. I should be the first one to support him.
‘Are you sleeping?’
‘Guess you are. Just got home now. Things at the office look okay. I really think tomorrow will be great. Fingers crossed.’
‘I could never have done this without you. I love you.’
This last message feels like a punch in the stomach. I did nothing to help him. Offering moral support shouldn’t count when I barely got to see him during the process. I feel awful, like the worst girlfriend in the world. 
Maybe I should do something to make it up to him. I could go to the bakery and get something for him for breakfast. Maybe we could spend some time together this morning before he has to dive into CEO mode for the rest of the day. The party is scheduled for 8:00 P.M., but I just know Spencer will have things to do for the entire day since lots of people are coming to town to attend his party. 
From what I heard, the hotels downtown are full, not to mention the reporters and media waiting to get an exclusive from him and the artists he’s signing. Which reminds me that I should ask him about Poppy’s interview before he promises to grant it to someone else.
I get up from bed, rushing to the bathroom to take a quick shower before heading out to get ourselves something to eat. It’s too early for the bakery to be open yet, but I know my mom always leaves some goodies prepared overnight, so I should be able to grab something.
Alice is already at the bakery when I get there, so I walk inside, greeting her with a, “Good morning,” and start looking for something that I can take that won’t make my mom mad at me. 
“Can I help you with anything, Hays?” Alice offers, seeing that I seem a bit unsure of what to get.
I clear my throat, turning to look at her. She has a warm smile on her face as she stares at me, amused, her hands on her hips as she waits for my answer. “Well, I was hoping there was something in here that I could take to Spencer for breakfast. I wanted to do something nice for him before the big party tonight.”
Alice’s smile widens even more as she walks past me, heading for a shelf filled with donuts, muffins and mini cakes. She grabs a kraft box, adding all sorts of things she can get her hands on. It’s more than I need and certainly more than Spencer and I can handle, but I’m grateful she’s doing this for me.
“Isn’t Mom going to be mad that I’m taking all of this? It doesn’t have to be too much, Alice,” I tell her, watching as she grabs another box and fills it with some croissants and different types of bread, which is something I’m not complaining about because bread is one of my weaknesses.
“Of course not. She always makes much more than necessary. You know her. She’s constantly asking me to take stuff home so it doesn’t go bad, but Ryan and I are trying to eat a healthier diet,” she explains, grimacing and rolling her eyes at me. “So, you’ll be doing us a favor.” She chuckles, putting down a second box filled to the brim.
I frown. “Why would you guys even need to diet?” Ryan and Alice might not each have a six-pack, but they are pretty close to it. I honestly have no idea how they do it, but even after the wedding and their honeymoon, they still manage to keep their bodies something to envy and die for.
Alice laughs, tilting her head back slightly. “I’m not trying to lose weight, but it is hard to keep it as it is when we have your mom’s delicious food at home every night. You’d know, right?”
I scoff. “You got me there.” Damn right I know how hard it is to keep my hands—and mouth—away from stuff my mom makes. Sugar is something I find almost impossible to say no to.
“Anyway, just go and give your man a breakfast of champs. He certainly needs it today.” Alice encourages me, putting the boxes into a single paper bag and shoving it into my hand. 
“Thanks, Alice.” I offer her a smile, hoping it expresses well enough how grateful I am for her help and encouragement. “You’re coming tonight, right?”
“Of course.” She nods enthusiastically. “Do you think I’d miss the chance to see a few celebrities in Missoula? How often do we see that happening?”
“You sound like Poppy.” I groan, rolling my eyes. “Spencer will love to see you all there, though.”
“I’m sure it will be a success. And we wouldn’t miss it for the world. We need to show support as a family, right?”
My heart swells in my chest as I hear her mention Spencer as part of the family. Which, in a way, he already is. But still, I can’t seem to control the way my body reacts to hearing Alice—who’s not blood related to me, but that I consider my sister nonetheless—calling my boyfriend ‘family.’ “Thank you. Really.”
The look in her eyes tells me that she knows what I’m thinking without me having to say it. Which I’m glad for. I might be good with words, but sometimes I struggle to say them. Writing them down is much easier than speaking them out loud sometimes.
I wave goodbye to Alice and drive to Spencer’s house, hoping that he hasn’t left yet. I wanted to surprise him, so I didn’t tell him I was coming. His day might be swamped, so I’m hoping I can have him to myself for at least a few minutes so we can enjoy a peaceful breakfast together before all hell breaks loose.