It's easier to swallow an innocent apology than it is the accusations; at least Emily doesn't know about those. Aside from the few people who'd kept close to him when everything had been happening, Spencer sometimes finds himself what the people he talks to really think of him, whether they think there's even a smidgen of possible truth behind the gossip. Other times, people make it perfectly clear that yes, they do.

"It's really fine, you couldn't have known." He hesistates, glancing over his shoulder at the sandwich waiting for him on the dining room table before turning back to her. "I was about to sit down for lunch. Do-- You could join? If you'd like? For the trouble." Branching out is never as easy as his friends try to make it sound.