Hey, everyone! I know this update is a little short, but I wanted to update with something. I promise the next chapter will be something more substantial. Hope you enjoy the new chapter, anyway. :)
-Fender18

On Monday morning, Emily arrived at the Hastings' house to find Veronica on her way out the door.

"Good morning, Missus Hastings."

"Good morning, Emily. How are you doing today?"

"Pretty well. And yourself?"

"I'm fine, thanks. I'm glad I caught you before I left..."

"You are?"

"Yes. I have a check for you." Veronica reached into her bag and handed Emily her paycheck.

"Thank you, but I'm still working for the rest of the week. I'm not supposed to finish the job and get my last paycheck until Friday."

"I know, but I can trust you to do the work, so I figured I'd just write you a check now. It'll be easier than waiting around for my husband to do it."

"Well, thank you very much."

"You've certainly earned it, sweetheart. I need to get to my office, I'll talk to you later."

"Have a good day."

"You too, thanks."

A moment later, Spencer walked across the yard and over to Emily.

"Hey, Em." Spencer said, approaching her girlfriend.

"Hey." Emily leaned down to kiss Spencer.

"What were you talking to my mom about?"

"Oh, she was just giving me my paycheck."

"I can't believe you'll only be working here four more days after today. I've gotten so used to having you around all the time."

"I know, but I'll be doing less construction work and more design work, so my schedule will be a little bit more flexible."

"Good. I was actually hoping maybe you'd come with me to get fitted for my bridesmaid dress on Saturday. Melissa has a second fitting for her wedding dress too, so I was thinking maybe we could all go out to lunch afterward or something."

"Um, sure, if you want me there."

"Of course I do."

"All right. I'll go."

"Thanks, Em...I gotta get to school. I'll see you this afternoon."

"Okay. See ya later." Emily leaned down and kissed Spencer goodbye.

Before getting into her car, Spencer waved to Emily's crew members, who were pulling into the driveway.

"Hey, Em." Mike said as he got out of the car along with Ben and Chris.

"Hey. You guys ready to get to work?" Emily asked, pulling her tool belt out of her truck.

"Ready when you are, boss." Mike said.

"So, Em, looks like things are going pretty well between you and Spencer. " Chris said.

"Yeah. Really well."

"I wanted to ask...you think your girl would allow you hang out with us this weekend?" Mike asked. "We were thinking of going to Hooters for the Flyers game, then checking out that new club that just opened up outside of town."

"Isn't that a place a strip club?" Emily asked.

"Yeah. So?" Ben said, nonchalantly. "I know strippers don't bother you, you've gotten a lap dance before."

"Yeah, on my birthday, which I seem to remember specifically telling you guys no strippers."

"Don't act like you weren't into it." Mike laughed. "You know you liked it."

"Yeah, well, I was single then. I'm not now and I really don't think Spencer would appreciate me going to Hooters, much less any strip clubs. Besides, I already have plans, I just agreed to go to Spencer's bridesmaid dress fitting for her sister's wedding..."

"Yeah, that sounds like fun. She's got you so whipped, dude." Mike laughed.

"I'm not whipped. I just like to make her happy, that's all."

"Whipped." Emily's crew laughed in unison as they looked at each other.

"Okay. Maybe just a little..." Emily said. "But, I do stuff for her because I want to, not because she makes me."

"Good." Chris said. "You let yourself become a total doormat for Stephanie. I don't want to see you get into that type of a situation again. Especially because Spencer's so young."

"It's definitely not like that at all with Spencer. She's a lot more mature at eighteen than Stephanie ever was the whole time we were together." Emily said as she and her crew began walking across the yard.

"So..." Mike said.

"So, what...?" Emily looked over at him.

"Speaking of Spencer...you hit that, yet?"

"Nope."

"Geez, Em. You guys have been dating for what, close to two months now?" Mike said. "And you still haven't fucked, how is that even possible?"

"I told her that when she's ready, she'd have to make the first move. Apparently, she hasn't felt ready to go there with me, yet."

"You've definitely got a lot of will power." Ben said. "I think I'd be going crazy by now."

"It's not like it's been easy for me." Emily said. "I usually feel like I need a cold shower after every time we make out."

"You've got a serious case of blue balls." Mike said. "Why don't you just like ask Spencer to give you a hand job or something? You know, to take the edge off."

Emily just stared at Mike.

"What? It's better than having to give yourself one. You guys wouldn't even have to be naked. She gets you off, you feel better, she's still a virgin. Everyone's happy."

"I can't ask her that. You don't ask for a hand job, it just happens." Emily rolled her eyes. "Besides, I said in the beginning I wasn't going to pressure her into anything and I won't, I love her too much. She wants our first sexual experience together to be special. She wants romance. And I'll do what ever I can to make sure she gets that, even if it means having to work through a little bit of sexual frustration."

It was early evening when Emily and her crew had finished working for the day. Emily was busy packing up her truck when Spencer walked across the driveway.

"You all done for the day?" Spencer asked.

"Yep. Just finished."

"Did you take a break for lunch?"

"Yeah, but I didn't have time to eat. I spent the entire half hour picking up the new carpet for the addition. The store couldn't find the order. I don't know how you could miss a giant roll of carpet, but what do I know?"

"Aw. Poor thing, you're probably starving. Come inside, I'll make you something." Spencer said, linking her fingers through two of the belt loops on Emily's jeans.

"Won't your dad be home from work soon?"

"He's still in New York. His fight got cancelled yesterday and he couldn't get another one until later tonight."

"Cool...not that his flight got cancelled, but that I get to spend time with you."

"I know what you meant." Spencer smiled and reached up to kiss Emily. "Now...how do you feel about grilled cheese?"

"Sounds great."

"Come on." Spencer took Emily's hand as they both walked across the yard.

Later that evening, Emily and Spencer were sitting at the kitchen island when Melissa walked into the house.

"Hi, Emily."

"Hey, Melissa. How's it goin'?" Emily asked.

"Good, thanks. You?"

"Great."

"Hey, Spence, have you seen my blue plaid Burberry pea coat anywhere?"

"Um, yeah...it's in the upstairs hall closet, I think."

"Thanks." Melissa said as she disappeared up the stairs, returning a few moments later with the coat in her hand.

"What do you need a wool coat for? it's not even that cold." Spencer said.

"Not here, but my company's sending me to a conference in Boston. It's supposed to be cold, maybe even snow a little."

"That's the north east for you." Emily said, raising her glass of water to her lips. "Barely November and already looking at snow. I'm glad all we've got right now is rain."

"So am I." Melissa agreed.

"How long are you gonna be in Boston?" Spencer asked.

"Just a couple of days. My flight leaves at six a.m. tomorrow morning. I'm staying at hotel near the airport tonight, but, I'll be back Friday evening, in time to go to my dress fitting on Saturday. Emily, are you coming with Spencer and I? I told her to ask you."

"She did ask me and yes, I'll be there."

"Good."

"What color bridesmaid dresses did you end up picking?" Emily asked.

"They're light blue with some white accents. Maybe when we're finished with the fitting, we can find you something to wear to match Spencer's outfit."

"Sure. Sounds good." Emily nodded.

"I'm gonna have so much fun playing dress up with you." Spencer laughed as she ran her fingers through Emily's hair.

Emily just rolled her eyes.

"You know, you don't exactly strike me as the dress and heels type." Melissa said.

"I'm not, really. I'm kinda tall for heels and I think dresses make me look awkward, I have really broad shoulders. But, I'll wear what ever you guys pick out for me, it's your wedding, I definitely won't argue."

"You can wear a suit." Melissa said. "We'll find you something both nice and comfortable."

"You're a saint." Emily looked up at Melissa with a relieved expression on her face.

"Let's not go too far." Spencer laughed. "Saint might be pushing it."

"Whatever." Melissa rolled her eyes. "I need to go finish packing."

"Do you need like a ride to your hotel or anything?" Emily asked.

"My fiancé's going to take me as soon as he gets home. Thanks for the offer, though."

"No problem. Have a good trip."

"Thanks. I'll see you guys later."

Melissa then turned and walked out of the house.

"Well, I guess I should probably headed home." Emily said. "Thanks for feeding me."

"You're welcome. I'll walk you out."

Spencer and Emily both got up and walked toward the front door.

"See you tomorrow morning." Spencer said.
"I'll be here." Emily said, she and Spencer lingering in the doorway and making no real effort to move.

Emily placed one of her hands on the side of Spencer's face and leaned down to kiss her. Spencer placed her hand on Emily's chest as the architect deepened the kiss. After holding the kiss for a few long moments, Emily pulled away.

"Text me later?" Spencer asked, when the kiss was broken.

"You can count on it." Emily smiled.

Emily then leaned down and kissed Spencer one more time.

"Goodnight, Spence. I love you."

"I love you too. Be careful driving home."

"I will."

Spencer slowly slid her hand down Emily's chest, over her stomach and grabbed the architect's hand, giving it a gentle squeeze before letting go and watching Emily walk back to her truck.