Chapter 13

Spencer remained silent for a long time, so long that Imogen's smile began to falter. Then, he raised his hands, gently took hold of the hands wrapped around his waist, and very slowly but firmly, pushed them away. "Immy," he said in a low voice, heavy with an exhaustion that was hard to put into words. "You should head home." Imogen froze. She took a step back and stared at him in disbelief. "Why? What do you mean by that, Spencer? We—" "I need some time," Spencer cut her off. He stood up and walked to the floor-to-ceiling windows, his back facing her. Under the dim yellow light, his silhouette looked especially lonely and distant. "I need… Some time," he repeated, his voice so light it sounded like a sigh. Imogen stood where she was, staring at his cold back as the gentle smile on her face vanished completely. Instead, a mix of shock, hurt, and a faint trace of fear and anger flashed across her face. She bit her lips and said nothing in the end. Then, she turned around and sla