With the moon shinning lightly through the large window, Spencer was enclosed in warm fall-time as the breeze rushed through the open window and gently brushed her hair behind her. She wasn’t doing much of anything, as long as spending an endless hour staring at Toby counted as nothing. Writing away in his journal, he was on the balcony, outstretched on a white, flexible beach chair. Spencer wondered if he knew how much time passed by, since he’d hardly moved at all since they returned from the challenge. He clearly had a lot to say.

                The question about Jenna continued to swirl through her mind, and she wished more than anything she could take her answer back. She knew better than anyone that Toby was beyond dedicated to her, but she stupidly let her jealously get in the way and ended up hurting him. He probably thought she was worried about him secretly wishing she were Jenna, when Spencer knew that was far from the truth. Toby wanted her, and he had wanted her even before Jenna came into the picture.

                So, basically, she hurt him for no reason.

                Letting out a breathy exhale, Spencer rose to her feet and made her way out to the balcony where Toby was sitting. He was so caught up in his writing that he didn’t even realize she was there, causing her to smile just a bit. He was always so concentrated at the task at hand.

                Finally, she willed herself to speak. “Hi,” she got out. “Are you okay?”

                Startled, Toby jumped and closed his book. He glanced up, recognized her and laughed, closing his eyes for a moment. Spencer chuckled a little too. “Hey. Sorry.” He briefly brought a hand up to his chest before setting the journal beside him. “Yeah, I’m fine. Why?”

                She took a seat at the edge of the beach chair and brushed her hair to one side of her face. Her gaze lingered up at the night sky. “I know it bothered you when I answered that you’d probably cheat on me with Jenna.”

                Toby’s expression hardened. “I would never do that to you.” His voice was cold and firm, a tone that he used when he was more than serious.

                Spencer bit her bottom lip shamelessly. “I know,” she started, finally looking at him. For once, his gaze was not on something distant; his eyes were burning through hers, as if he was willing her to know just how strong-minded he was not to hurt her. Along with that strong devotion, she recognized the smallest twinge of pain. “I just hate it,” she explained. “I hate how she tries so hard to get close to you again. I hate how she feels like she owns you. I hate how insecure I feel right now because I’m your best friend and it’s just weird that I’m pulling the jealous girlfriend card; I mean I don’t know how to act about everything now, and I want you so much, but I’m confused on how to act around you now when it comes to stuff like this and-“

                “I know,” Toby confirmed calmly, cutting her off from her babbling. “This stuff is new to both of us, Spence. It feels weird because we’ve been in such a different positions for years. But this is what we want. This is what you want, isn’t it?” Spencer nodded, so Toby continued, reaching for her hand with his signature soft smile. “Then we’ll figure things out as they come along. Okay?”

                Spencer grinned at him and held his hand a little tighter, scooting closer also so that she could rest her head on his shoulder. “That sounds like a plan,” she breathed out contently.

                Toby wrapped his arm around her, which act so natural that it made her shiver. “About Jenna,” he continued, “please don’t worry about her. She’s got nothing on you. You have one thing Jenna would never be capable of: compassion and love.”

                Spencer smiled to herself, closing her eyes. How did he do that, make her believe every word without a single doubt that he didn’t mean them? Someday everything he’d just told her would be the truth.

                For the first time, she felt safe and completely cherished, a feeling only he was able to provide for her.

                “You know,” Spencer said after quite some time. “We almost won the challenge, if it weren’t for some preposterous questions.”

                “Guess so.” He rested his cheek against the top of her head and laughed to himself.

                Spencer could feel her cheeks rise in heat and bashfully buried her head in his board chest.

                He nodded, bringing up both hands tenderly to hold her face. Leaning forward slowly, he placed a kiss on her forehead that trailed down her cheek, leaving tingling, heated skin in its wake. Only he could do this to her, making her feel overwhelmed by the simplest things, how he made her feel like they were one soul just from a gentle touch of the lips.

                Spencer smiled gently at Toby, and somehow, they made her heart sing more than his kisses. Resting her forehead against his, she placed a soft kiss on his lips. “You’re kind of perfect, you know that?”

                Toby grinned, returning her gentle kiss. “Call me old fashioned.”

                That was when he phone rang. Baffled, Spencer reached into her pocket and picked it up, looking at the screen. “It’s Madison,” she explained. “We have to go downstairs right now. The producers are looking for us.”

                “Why?” Toby asked.

                “I have no clue.” They both exchanged nervous glances.