Spencer listens to one side of the conversation he can hear while trying to look like he's not really listening, which is ridiculous considering he'd been asked by Raleigh herself to be here for the call. He can't seem to stop fidgeting, twirling his thumbs in his lap and shifting on the couch and bouncing his knee, but he doesn't feel right standing back up because he doesn't want Raleigh to panic or think he's trying to leave. He'd promised to be here, to be supportive, and Spencer fully intends on doing just that; but he can't help but be nervous on his friend's behalf.
He winces when he hears Raleigh tell her mother that she can come up to Siren Cove, can hear bits and pieces of the woman on the other end when the level of her voice rises, and Spencer's chest starts to ache when Raleigh starts to apologize. It's as if she starts and simply can't stop, she keeps saying it, and it reminds him of when he'd seen the shattered glass in the library. He couldn't stop apologizing, and he hadn't really known why because it hadn't been his fault, just like Raleigh and Joel had told him. Still, he'd felt responsible in his way, a way he'll never be able to make much sense of, and he thinks he and Raleigh are similar in that way.
She hadn't asked for this life, but she'd made the most of it. The bakery is ambitious but Spencer has the utmost faith in her, is one hundred percent certain that she's capable of making it a success, and that's the reason why he'd offered to back it in the first place. Still, it doesn't seem that Raleigh's mother is very convinced, though Spencer would be more than happy to help prove her wrong if he's ever given the chance.
When Raleigh finally hangs up and turns to him with tears in her eyes, he can't even bring himself to offer a reassuring smile. He pulls her into a hug without a second thought, something he wouldn't do with anyone else who isn't his husband, and barely even notices how quickly his sleeve wettens with the tears. "You're twenty-four years old," he reminds her, smoothing down her hair as he speaks. "She can come to visit all she wants but if you don't want to leave, she can't force you. I'll make damn sure of that, all right? I promise."
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He winces when he hears Raleigh tell her mother that she can come up to Siren Cove, can hear bits and pieces of the woman on the other end when the level of her voice rises, and Spencer's chest starts to ache when Raleigh starts to apologize. It's as if she starts and simply can't stop, she keeps saying it, and it reminds him of when he'd seen the shattered glass in the library. He couldn't stop apologizing, and he hadn't really known why because it hadn't been his fault, just like Raleigh and Joel had told him. Still, he'd felt responsible in his way, a way he'll never be able to make much sense of, and he thinks he and Raleigh are similar in that way.
She hadn't asked for this life, but she'd made the most of it. The bakery is ambitious but Spencer has the utmost faith in her, is one hundred percent certain that she's capable of making it a success, and that's the reason why he'd offered to back it in the first place. Still, it doesn't seem that Raleigh's mother is very convinced, though Spencer would be more than happy to help prove her wrong if he's ever given the chance.
When Raleigh finally hangs up and turns to him with tears in her eyes, he can't even bring himself to offer a reassuring smile. He pulls her into a hug without a second thought, something he wouldn't do with anyone else who isn't his husband, and barely even notices how quickly his sleeve wettens with the tears. "You're twenty-four years old," he reminds her, smoothing down her hair as he speaks. "She can come to visit all she wants but if you don't want to leave, she can't force you. I'll make damn sure of that, all right? I promise."